You wanna sit? No thank you, you sit i’m good. No, sit ill get up. It’s fine sir I’ve been sitting all day.
He had a cane, I’m not going to take the seat of a man with a cane.

Thank you he says and he reaches out to shake my hand. I extend my hand, he holds it. Your hands are so cold. He says as he brings my hand wrapped in his to his lips. He gently kisses the top of my hand with his lips are chapped. Your hands are just so cold.

I look down on him and smile. Cold hands warm heart they say. I add with a little laugh. His face is tired. Full cheeks, a neatly drawn and colord lady bug tattoo under his right eye moves ever so slightly when he talks. The 8th note tattoo under his left eye moves in it’s own rythym.

I’m sad. He continues. I’m sad. I’m headed to Coney island to cry. That’s what I’m doing. I’m going there to cry and then die. I have no where to go, so I’ll go there. To cry.
I’m going to get off the train and walk to the…como se llama… Ocean. And cry. And walk in and – he takes his finger and motions slicing his neck- no,no, not that he says through a laugh. Just die. Walk in the ocean and keep going.

Oh you don’t want to do that. The water is Much too cold. You’ll be freezing. Oh! HA! You’re  right. His smile is big now. I hate the cold. Cold water scares me. Well then that’s definitely not where you want to go tonight. He nods in agreement.  I’ll go there and cry and die. No, just go and dip your toe in that will be enough for tonight. You’ll see when you get there how cold the water is. You’re right and pretty and nice and happy.  Thank you sir. I hate cold water. Im not going in the ocean tonight. I’m a soldier. Now that you know that ill tell you I’m sad. I’m going to Coney island to cry now. Do you want to come? No thank you. But you’re going the wrong way. This train is headed north.  You need to go south. No! I’m going to Coney island now. Well it’s going to take you a long time the next stop is 125th street. Panicked he looks around, turns to the gentleman next to me. Which way is Coney Island? He points south.
He jumps up. Outta my way freaks he says as he pushes towards the open doors. They close. I sit down.