Today I got on the MAX to go downtown and wander around the Saturday Market and the waterfront to do some people watching. This guy was my favorite…
Perhaps mid to late forties, very overweight and balding. But cute! So adorable I just wanted to squish him. He had a brown paper bag lunch folded perfectly in one hand and clutched a book to his chest with the other. He looked “determined” to enjoy the max even though it was a crush of people dressed for St. Patrick’s Day. He was so stoic, maintaining a tight smile and politeness to everyone even though it was obvious he was uncomfortable with the crowd. At the stop near the Chinese Garden, he gathered his courage and literally tiptoed – I’m not kidding, 250lbs of tiptoe like walking across hot coals- to the sliding door, took three breaths and hopped off the Max with both feet at the same time, throwing his belly out like he was afraid the doors would close on his butt. He turned to the Max as it was pulling away and he wore a look of absolute triumph. Smile beaming from ear to ear.
It was then that I saw the title of the book he was clutching to his chest – “The Anxiety and Phobia’s Workbook.”
I started laughing because you couldn’t have made a character like that from pure fiction!
I wanted to call him Bob, and tell him “Baby steps, Bob. Baby steps.” I was suddenly overwhelmed with love for this guy. God! I love this city and all its weird residents.
8 Comments(+Add)
Oh my god, I actually have that book. How sad. I just don’t carry it with me when I’m trying to overcome certain angsty things like crowded buses or people staring at me.
I feel powerful in the knowledge that I can wield my size 3 shapely body like a dangerous weapon. I leave the party and gracefully climb into my fancy sports car dressed in an elegant gown that clings to every curve seductively. I speed away with the confidence of a 25 year old movie star named Ms. Lynd who is well traveled and educated and controls millions of dollars. I pull up to the stop light knowing that the passengers in the vehicle next to me are gawking. I steal a glance to acknowledge their gaping stares. What’s this? Two young guys are sneering. At ME?! Then I see the woman looking back at me from the rear view mirror and reality hits like a punch to the gut. A make-up-less forty year old face; hair covered with a bandana and driving a minivan realization snaps me back to the present situation. I suddenly feel like reading “Bob’s” book.
Hey AwittyKitty do you think you could lend that book to my sister? Tyranee?
She posted right under you.
Tyranee I love it!
Maybe we should get copies for everyone in the family for christmas….
AWW! I love Bob! HEART, Bob! HEART!
Hi Nelli, I’ve missed you!
Hope all is well in tundra land!
that is the cutest thing! I got all teary just reading it!!
I hope to see Bob around more often. I might just give him a hug – of course – that might make him have a meltdown….