METROPOLITAN DIARY
Last edited Mon Feb 15, 2021, 04:30 PM - Edit history (1)
A bus passenger’s presence is felt, taking a roundabout way home and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
#1
Pale Blue Chiffon
Dear Diary:
I was on the 86th Street crosstown bus going westbound late in the afternoon one day years ago. A female passenger got on at Madison Avenue.
“May I have a transfer please?” she asked the driver. Her voice was distinctive and it projected down the aisle, causing what seemed like every head to pop up.
She was a vision of femininity in pale blue chiffon, with a large hat, a belted dress, gloves, heels and pocketbook.
As she walked down the aisle people began to clap, then to stand and cheer, until she took a seat.
It was Butterfly McQueen.
— Pat Outland
Waiting
Dear Diary:
I was on my way back from a run in Central Park and I decided to take a roundabout way home. . .
I walked over to find out what they were waiting for . ., and I saw that they were outside a small bookstore. . . I was allowed in. . .
When I went to check out, I saw the old cash register, A feeling of déjà vu washed over me. . ..
When I got home and inspected my purchases, a bookmark fell out of one of them: the Corner Bookstore.
I went to my bookshelf, where I knew I’d find the very same bookmark, . .
When I first moved to New York and was having a tough day. I’d wandered in out of the blue, and I had left feeling refreshed then as well.
— Katie Perkowski
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/14/nyregion/metropolitan-diary.html
