Tonight I did a 5k on the elliptical machine. It’s been forever, but I stuck to it. I didn’t bring an extra shirt, so I rinsed it under the faucet at the gym,wrung it dry then put it back on. Having it soaked with water beat putting my hoodie on over one soaked with sweat. Doing that made me chuckle, and it felt better because now it was warm from the hot water. 

As I walked up 6th ave, I saw a gray van that had an antenna seemingly attached to the hubcap. They looked liked swollen ski racks and satellite like receptors/transmitters on the roof. Apple maps vehicle based on the fact that it said Apple maps on it. I figure that that’s the guy who periodically sends me to the wrong place as he drives around mapping the city. I thought about taking and posting a picture, but it didn’t seem interesting enough. 

As I followed the van up the street with my eyes, I came to 41st and started to cross. I then realized that I didn’t have the signal and a car was about to turn. I stepped back on the curb and waved to say sorry. A youngish white guy with a short hair cut was driving and he rolled down his window and started saying something. His face was expressionless so I asked him to repeat himself. It sounded like he was asking for directions. No. It sounded like he asked if I could spare some money. I saw a baby seat in the back. 

“What’d you say?” 

“Can you spare $20?”

“Can I spare TWENTY DOLLARS?!.. NO!”

He started laughing and signaled me across the street. I started laughing and slowly started moving wondering if I should really get in front of this guy’s car. I hurried across appreciatively and cautiously (the kind that made me move faster, not slower). I waved again and we were gone. Two strangers moving through the night with a degree of levity. I also had zero cash, only keys and cards. And a wet shirt. And a fading view of the Apple Maps-mobile. I never looked back in the direction of the young father who traded in his right away for a little mischief..