bethofalltrades

I woke up late today. 7:30. I need to leave by 7:45 or I feel too rushed.

I showered anyway. Checked my inbox. Brushed my teeth. Pet the cat. It was nearly eight before I left my house.

I made record time to the Canal Street station. I could almost make it to work on time, even without rushing. I was going down the stairs to the Q train when everything stopped. A jam, people not moving, rustling of papers and shifting of feet. I got frustrated, since I could see the train pulling in. I would really rather not be late.

As the crowd parted, I saw a woman lying on the stairs, sobbing. People were pushing by her, stepping over her, not even looking down.

I asked her if she needed help and she said yes. I dropped my things and sat down next to her. A woman passing by asked what she could do and I told her to get a station agent. A man handed me a bottle of water to give to the woman lying on the stairs. A homeless man stood at the bottom of the steps and told people to go another way.

Her name was Lisette and she'd hurt her back when she fell. I sat and held her hand and talked with her for forty five minutes until the paramedics took her away. They'd arrived a half hour ago, they said, but they were lost in the station.

One of the police officers asked me who I was.

"I'm Beth," I replied.

"And you're with her?"

"No. I was just walking by."

He seemed surprised, which made me sad. As soon as I saw her lying on the stairs, I knew I had to stop, if only because if I told my mother I had walked past someone who needed help, she would be on the first plane from Pittsburgh to beat me.

Lisette and I spoke for forty five minutes, as I told her all would be fine and distracted her with questions about her life. She is getting laid off from her job. Lisette and her husband have two kids and she's always wanted to be a travel agent, so she thinks that maybe she'll try to do that next. Then they can take beautiful vacations, the four of them.

I told her that when one door closes, it is because a better one is opening, and that I was sure she'd be in Paris soon.

She thanked me for staying with her.

I told her that I go where the universe puts me, and today it made me late.

Love,
Beth