There She Was
Heavy, over-packed suitcases in hand, barely ten dollars to her name, no phone numbers to call, no idea really on how to get there, other than that from the train she had to take a ferry and then a bus which required figuring out how to get to the ferry from the train.
Excited, fueled by nerves and the knowledge that she was free -- maybe not truly free -- but for the first time in her life, not responsible for anyone but herself. She plunged forward, working toward her goal with purpose, her main purpose - just to get there. Once there she'd be safe she thought. Safe and free. It never occurred to her she couldn't do it, wouldn't get there. She had no doubts, just a bit of nervousness.
Edgy, like someone who'd had too much caffeine, though she hadn't, she asked the conductor which subway line would take her to the Staten Island Ferry. Boldly pushing forward she lugged the heavy bags upstairs, downstairs, across streets, and finally through the ferry turnstile. A break, she thought, this will be a break from the heavy luggage, a moment to sit down and enjoy the beautiful sight of New York City.
She'd been drawn there ever since she could remember. She couldn't explain why she felt more energized than she ever had before in her 17 years of life, why she felt this tiniest brush with the City was the start of her life, the spark to her beginning. All she knew was, when she breathed deep, it was exactly like coming home and being set on fire all at the same time.
As the ferry landed, she asked yet another helpful person which bus, and where to catch it. Stepping on to the bus she looked longingly out towards the city again. Knowing that though she wouldn't be right in the City she would be close enough to touch it, smell it,feel it.
She got off where the bus driver directed her, and realized she was at the bottom of a very large hill. Dismayed she looked around at the other disembarking passengers and noted a man who was headed her direction. She asked him if he knew of another way to get up the hill, and he offered to give her a lift. Somewhat naively she said yes, feeling comfortable enough not to be afraid, and let him drive her up the hill. He went up the hill telling her all about her new home. She said that she really had no idea what she was doing and she hoped people would still be awake when she finally got there.
She told him how long it had taken her to get there and how arduous the trip had been, and how excited and amazed she was with herself for doing it, getting there. He took her in to the building she indicated, went directly to the RA and signed her in, he stayed and made sure she was okay, and he never once was anything other than an amazingly nice stranger. Although 20 years later, she shudders to think of her innocence, such as it was.
And there she was, finally at college. Free and safe and excited for her life to begin.
Excited, fueled by nerves and the knowledge that she was free -- maybe not truly free -- but for the first time in her life, not responsible for anyone but herself. She plunged forward, working toward her goal with purpose, her main purpose - just to get there. Once there she'd be safe she thought. Safe and free. It never occurred to her she couldn't do it, wouldn't get there. She had no doubts, just a bit of nervousness.
Edgy, like someone who'd had too much caffeine, though she hadn't, she asked the conductor which subway line would take her to the Staten Island Ferry. Boldly pushing forward she lugged the heavy bags upstairs, downstairs, across streets, and finally through the ferry turnstile. A break, she thought, this will be a break from the heavy luggage, a moment to sit down and enjoy the beautiful sight of New York City.
She'd been drawn there ever since she could remember. She couldn't explain why she felt more energized than she ever had before in her 17 years of life, why she felt this tiniest brush with the City was the start of her life, the spark to her beginning. All she knew was, when she breathed deep, it was exactly like coming home and being set on fire all at the same time.
As the ferry landed, she asked yet another helpful person which bus, and where to catch it. Stepping on to the bus she looked longingly out towards the city again. Knowing that though she wouldn't be right in the City she would be close enough to touch it, smell it,feel it.
She got off where the bus driver directed her, and realized she was at the bottom of a very large hill. Dismayed she looked around at the other disembarking passengers and noted a man who was headed her direction. She asked him if he knew of another way to get up the hill, and he offered to give her a lift. Somewhat naively she said yes, feeling comfortable enough not to be afraid, and let him drive her up the hill. He went up the hill telling her all about her new home. She said that she really had no idea what she was doing and she hoped people would still be awake when she finally got there.
She told him how long it had taken her to get there and how arduous the trip had been, and how excited and amazed she was with herself for doing it, getting there. He took her in to the building she indicated, went directly to the RA and signed her in, he stayed and made sure she was okay, and he never once was anything other than an amazingly nice stranger. Although 20 years later, she shudders to think of her innocence, such as it was.
And there she was, finally at college. Free and safe and excited for her life to begin.
Labels: alone, college, new beginnings, travel
posted by whimsicalstuff at
6:59:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home