Waiting at the bus stop at Fifth Ave and 86th St the other day a young woman, probably in her 20s, asked me where she could get the limited.
I told her it stopped about two blocks south, and she thanked me and started walking down Fifth. Then, checking my watch I realized I might be late for my own appointment.
Wait for me, I called out, I’ll take the limited too.
As we walked along together, predictably, the limited bus went rumbling past.
You’re younger, I said, run for it, and see if the driver will wait for me.
Off she went at a brisk trot as I hurried after her at my decidedly slower pace.
When I got to the stop, my young heroine was waiting for me on the bottom step of the bus.
She took my elbow to help me up, and huffing and puffing a bit I climbed aboard.
I thanked the driver and turned to thank the young woman.
No problem, she said, you remind me of my grandma.
Well, at least I made the bus.
Dana Susan Lehrman
New York bus drivers comes in two characters. There's some who will shut the door and pull away from the curb just as you catch up to the bus and then there are those who can see you running in their side mirros and will wait for you. There's a special place in heaven for the later.
Yep, glad this one waited for the old lady!
You don't look anywhere old enough to be a grandma! Keep up the good writing and goodwork in general. As usual, I liked your piece!
Oy! Great piece and another perfect entry for Metropolitan Diaries!
I did, and was rejected! As a protest, when they don't print my stuff, I refuse to read the column that week, so there NYTimes!
Thanx cuz! Do you miss New York? xox
This piece captures the feel of living in NYC as an older person, which I don't consider myself to be…yet! Riding NYC busses a lot these days, I get it. Love the public transportation here- bus and subway and taxi (tho its not exactly public).
Thanx Shel, we're only as old as we feel I guess.
Loved the JUGGS dinner, thanx!
Did it occur to you that her grandmother is Jane Fonda?
Good point Mike, thanx!
Students often tell me my expressions or mannerism are similar to their grandmothers. Mothers of today's teens are usually in their mid-thirties to early forties and their grandmothers are in their mid-fifties to early sixties. Sounds right!