His name was Steve.
Introspection after Speak
I left the restaurant after eleven that evening. Winter was holding on, sending a cold chill into the air. I pulled my funny monkey hat - the one with the ears - lower upon my head and buttoned up my winter coat against the wind. I had thirty-five minutes before my train left the station, I had to make this train, the next train was an hour later.
My friends and I had just finished breaking down and cleaning up after a charity event. I was proud to be a part of it. We wanted dinner afterwards, but I was the only one on a rail schedule, so, after gobbling down my dinner, I bid them farewell; I left, alone.
The streets were unusually quiets - at least by New York City standards - and the few taxis that passed were off duty. I spotted one across the street and made a dash towards it; I got to the door as soon as he turned on his “Off Duty” light. Thirty minutes before my train leaves the station.
I crossed the street and tried to hail a cab — full, off duty. I tried another, and another. Twenty-five minutes before my train leaves the station.
A black car passed me, slowed down, reversed, stopped.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Penn Station.” I replied peeking into the car. I didn’t see a meter, what did this man want?
“Do you want a lift?”
“No, that’s ok. Thanks.” I backed away.
“I’m passing by there, I can drop you off. I’ll give you a ride, it’s ok!” he smiled.
“Don’t do it, they overcharge you!” a man passing by yelled to me, thinking it was a gypsy cab. Perhaps it was because the passerby was drunk and staggering across the street and more were following. Perhaps it was a momentary lapse in judgement, whatever the issue, I was startled and hopped into the car.
“I’m Steve, what’s your name?” I got a proper look at him. His car had a strange smokey smell, like burning incense, he was in his 40s, medium built with shaggy brown hair. He had a pleasant looking face and clear eyes. I relaxed a little. I told him my name.
“Where are you coming from?”
I explained the event. “I just left my friends at the restaurant to catch my train.” I added.
“How much does it take for a cute girl like you to come back to my place with me?”
I started. “I’m sorry, I really need to get my train.”
“I was thinking, we could go back to my place, get to know each other.”
“Oh, no. I just want to go home.” My heart raced. ”What am I doing in this car with this strange man.” I thought, ”what is happening?”
“Well, I just wanted someone to go home with. I’ll drop you off here. At least I’m being honest with you, right?”
I nodded.
“Ok. At least I’m being open with you.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled, too numb to do anything, to say anything else.
My mind was racing. “What just happened?” The question kept repeating in my head, as I stumbled out of the car.
Fifteen minutes before my train leaves the station.
I raised my arm, a taxi pulled up right away. I tumbled in, numb. “Penn Station” was all I managed to get out before the shivers started running down my spine, keeping time with my pounding heart. Numb.
“What just happened?” I whispered. Could I have taken his license down? Did he just say he’d pay me? Should I tell the police? What can they do, I have a vague description; will they care?
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Numb. My eyes stung. I will not cry.
I got to the station and ran to my train, two minutes before the train left the station.
Wait, what just happened? At least he was honest, right?
