I stared at the most mysterious man in the old cafe on 3rd street downtown NYC. The dim orange tinted lights made his tan skin, from what I can see, glow like an afternoon sunset. He looks peaceful, and relaxed reading a novel, with his head tilted slightly, resting on his right hand and the novel in his left. I'm trying to make out the name of the book he is reading but my vision isn't the best at this angle. I find it very odd that I am staring at a man in a coffee shop, but I feel as if I can't look away.
As all these thoughts about this random man are racing through my head, he looks up and catches a glimpse of me staring at him. He smiled. A beautiful smile, a smile that makes time stand still. I bring myself back to reality, quickly smile back squinting my eyes, put the work I was doing back in my bag and rush out the door. The doorbell dings as I leave. I can feel someone looking at me but I don't bother to see who it is.
I start walking down the 3rd street sidewalk making my way into my apartment, about about block away from the Cafe, to get some rest for the night. I've always had quite long days at work, but money is money. I guess. I work as a book editor, but I've always tried to write my own stories. I've just had never really been successful. That being my dream and all. My mind focuses too much and leads me to my past. It's overwhelming writing, I just get emotional I guess. I've had a bad past. My dad and I had always been very close and he had always been there for me. Last year he passed, It wasn't easy. I'm 24 today, the first birthday without him. My mother after all is simply satan. Really. She used to abuse me, mentally and physically. In any way possible. She made my childhood a living hell. She was either always drinking or taking pills. It lead to cocaine use, then to heroine. She died when I was eighteen. I felt as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
I stabilize my thoughts as I make my way upstairs into my room. Slipping the key into the lock the picture of the man flashes into my head. Oh well, I think to myself. I'll probably never see him again. I close and lock the door after stepping into my room. I walk into the bathroom, look myself in the mirror and all I seem to see is regret. I wash my face, take down my long dark hair from the bun it's been in all day, and lay down. It's only a matter of seconds before I'm asleep. Running sheep in a field. Sleep is my only peace.
