Waiting

As Brendan waited for the A train, the shabby old man on the subway platform caught his attention. 

Brendan noticed him, not because he was mumbling; not because of his shambling gait; not because of his disheveled and slightly soiled clothes. These are relatively normal for New York City homeless.

This old man was unique because he had on a brand-new pair of sneakers, and as he made his way down the subway platform, those shoes squeaked.

As you may know, sounds echo through subway tunnels, creating a sort of cacophony of human sounds; voices, movement, coughs, throat clearing, laughter, shouts; all mixed up with the near and far metallic and electronic rumbling of the trains.

And this morning, the squeak, squeak, squeak of the old man’s shoes.

Brendan attention went back to his phone. He had quite a number of emails and text messages to attend to on his way to work. As many young and eager techies, he barely found time for life outside of software, hardware and firmware. He loved his work. But his mother kept reminding him that life was more than sim cards and apps. 

Suddenly, Brendan realized the old man was standing right next to him. Before Brendan could step away, the old man leaned in and whispered,

“Time is fleeting, and you must catch it.”

Those last four words were said with great emphasis. Then the old man moved on.

Brendan still felt the man’s breath warm against the side of his face.  He still smelled the man’s musty and pungent odor. His phone now ignored, Brendan listened as the squeak of the old man’s shoes gradually moved off into the distance, and then ceased.

The platform rumbled with vibrations of the incoming A train.

Time was fleeting, and Brendan must catch it.