On our way to watch K-PAX, my wife and I were roaming in the Newport Mall near our apartment. As usual, we headed for our favorite store – Lechter’s. A kitchenware and appliance store, part of a nationwide chain. To our shock, the store was closing down. In fact, the entire chain was closing down. My wife and me looked at each other and then, with guilt, at the bargains available. This Lechter’s store has a special meaning for us. This is the place where we bought most of the things that helped us start our life together. This was also our favorite base. She would come here from college and I from work and then we would go to other places. This was an important store. A place in our lives. We have lost it now as so many have realized the sense of loss in recent times.
Just yesterday, as I took a right turn on to Park Avenue from the 28th street and walked toward my office building, I glanced on my right and saw that the Angel’s Deli was closed. This was unusual. I was wondering where I should head for the morning coffee in Angel’s absence when I remembered a conversion that I had overheard at Angel’s a couple of days ago. The Korean owner was complaining to some friend of hers about how the she was not in a position to sign the new lease. She does not have enough business to pay the increased rent. Angel’s had fed me Veggie burgers, cheese sandwiches and morning and afternoon coffee for over three years now. It felt strange to have to decide a new place to go to everyday. But we are all learning to get used to that now.
My in-laws staying with me have been fortunate enough to go atop the Empire State Building but to there irk, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed.
As I stepped out of Smiler’s Deli from across the street, I wondered how long will Smiler’s survive. Or the guy who served the coffee or the cashier or…or me. On my way, I was reading about how open Salad bars that abound in New York City, like Smiler’s is, can be a convenient target for bio terrorists.
As I wait for the elevator, I have to admit to myself, grudgingly, that these are the closing times. In many ways. In more ways than I want to admit to myself. As my mind ogles at the ever expanding boundaries of possibility, I know I am scared.
An airplane is a weapon. A building is a weapon. A letter is a weapon. A train is a weapon. A train station is a weapon. A bag is a weapon. A weapon is a weapon. A look is a weapon.
I know my sense of life has been weaponized.
Just yesterday, as I took a right turn on to Park Avenue from the 28th street and walked toward my office building, I glanced on my right and saw that the Angel’s Deli was closed. This was unusual. I was wondering where I should head for the morning coffee in Angel’s absence when I remembered a conversion that I had overheard at Angel’s a couple of days ago. The Korean owner was complaining to some friend of hers about how the she was not in a position to sign the new lease. She does not have enough business to pay the increased rent. Angel’s had fed me Veggie burgers, cheese sandwiches and morning and afternoon coffee for over three years now. It felt strange to have to decide a new place to go to everyday. But we are all learning to get used to that now.
My in-laws staying with me have been fortunate enough to go atop the Empire State Building but to there irk, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed.
As I stepped out of Smiler’s Deli from across the street, I wondered how long will Smiler’s survive. Or the guy who served the coffee or the cashier or…or me. On my way, I was reading about how open Salad bars that abound in New York City, like Smiler’s is, can be a convenient target for bio terrorists.
As I wait for the elevator, I have to admit to myself, grudgingly, that these are the closing times. In many ways. In more ways than I want to admit to myself. As my mind ogles at the ever expanding boundaries of possibility, I know I am scared.
An airplane is a weapon. A building is a weapon. A letter is a weapon. A train is a weapon. A train station is a weapon. A bag is a weapon. A weapon is a weapon. A look is a weapon.
I know my sense of life has been weaponized.