The next time my super makes a house
call, I need to ask him how to safely unlatch and roll back the complicated-looking
window gate that separates my inside from the outside. I could take a folding chair
out there, with a crossword puzzle and some lemonade, to feed the birds and sit
four feet closer to the bare brick walls. I see room for two people and a small
end table.
When I lived elsewhere and came into the
city for job interviews, I stayed with a friend or a cousin. One weekday
morning, hours after my hostess left for work, I looked out a window and watched
a young man/old boy in a long coat crouching on his fire escape, a screenless open
window behind him, smoking a cigarette, lost in thought. He seemed like an on-the-up
local musician, a front man, emotionally prepping for a rehearsal or soundcheck.
If I saw him on a downtown stage, I wouldn’t recognize him. But I won’t forget
what he stood for – or stood on, and
now it’s my balcony that beckons. I’ll wave, say a few words, and drape a flag from
it as soon as I learn how to get past the gate.
Let me just say how totally envious I am of your summer... winter has just begun and I forgot how it's absolutely NO fun at all *sigh*. That terrace sounds lovely :)
ReplyDeleteSitting on the fire escape is a long-standing New York tradition. I think you will enjoy it--and room for a small end table and two chairs--that sounds delightful. Add a bagel or croissant plus a cup of really good coffee and an engrossing book...life is good.
ReplyDeleteJust think, you can dine al fresco after a long hard day of work. You know, once you figure out the gate thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, you need to ask about that window. Would be great to sit outside and face that wall um... well, when you're outside you can do something about that, right? One step at a time.
ReplyDelete