Time Stood Still

As always, New York City at five o’clock was a rat’s race. Even though it was only a Tuesday, Kerrigan did her best to keep the pace as people ran like water around her. By the time she reached the underground subway platform, her forehead had beaded with sweat. Although it was early February and cold, the underground subway station was stifling. Feeling a brush of air as the subway train approached, Kerrigan took in a few deep breaths and gave a slight smile. Somehow, she’d managed to make it through the day. “Walk much? Move, you stupid white woman,” someone said. Practically mowed down by an elderly Asian woman, Kerrigan said “Excuse me,” but the woman turned and gave her the finger. Taking a second to absorb it, Kerrigan laughed. “Perfect ending to a perfect day.” Riding the subway was always an adventure and she opted to ride more often than driving or taking a taxi. While other people read their celebrity rags and listed to music, Kerrigan enjoyed people-watching. Squished together as the train rocketed underneath Manhattan’s skyscrapers, she’d let her mind wander. She’d studied the stranger’s faces and wondered about their lives. Were they happy? Were they successful? Were they rich, poor, married or single? What were their families like? Were they like hers and clinically insane? Did they have the type of problems she had? Walking through the maze of people on the subway train, Kerrigan looked for an empty seat. Walking toward an open seat, she smiled when she saw a familiar face. “Hi, Lulu,” Kerrigan said to her subway riding buddy. The woman released a joyous laugh, sporting only a few decaying teeth. Lulu was a fragrant homeless woman who frequented the train. With enough booze in her system to fill a bathtub, she sat surrounded by bags of clothes and smiled at the passengers asking if they’d like their future told. Today she was dressed in a purple bathrobe, a dingy yellow scarf, men’s sneakers without shoelaces, and topping off her ensemble was a bright red Santa hat. “Want your palm read?” Lulu asked. Kerrigan smiled and extended her hand. Even though she didn’t believe in this type of thing, she enjoyed the nice things Lulu said. “Baby, I’m not getting anything. You’re heart is frozen. Tell me what happened,” Lulu said, her voice barely above a whisper. Kerrigan looked around the subway car. It was filled with businessmen and women pecking on their Blackberry’s, and strangers with their headphones pressed in their ears. Not the ideal spot to spill her soul, but she didn’t care. “My husband walked out on me,” she said. “We’ve been having problems, but I thought things were getting better.” “Did you cheat?” “No, it’s nothing like that. We just grew apart. It happens, I guess, but I love him.” Lulu stroked her hand, closed her eyes, and moved her shoulders up and down. She reminded Kerrigan of Whoopi Goldberg’s character in Ghost. “You need to make a tough decision. You either have to fight for your marriage or let it go.” Kerrigan swallowed hard. “I’m going to fight. But, I don’t know how.” “Sure you do. You’re a successful woman at work, yes?” “Yes.” “You have to make hard decisions everyday, right? Some times you even have to bend the rules a bit, don’t you?” Kerrigan smiled. “Sometimes.” “Well sweetheart, you might have to bend the rules, just a bit, to keep him. Don’t worry though. I can see the future and it will work out fine.” As the train slowed to arrive at the Columbus Circle stop, Kerrigan handed her a roll of dollar bills from her pocket, said goodbye and quickly exited the train before the doors shut. Taking the steps to the surface, she stood on the corner thinking of what Lulu had said. “Bend the rules. If that’s what it takes to save my marriage, consider them bent.”