Today On The Subway

Hurry! Hurry! We got to the bottom of the stairs at the subway platform. Yes! We made it to the train that has just arrived. We entered through one entrance but got to the other in search of a free seat for my son. We spotted one next to a big black man who took the out seat. My son politely said "Excuse me" a few times but with no result. I repeated but the man didn't even move. I noticed he couldn't hear us because he had earphones. I gently tapped him on the shoulder and repeated "Excuse me".

Moldavian Babushka, July 2019

The tall, muscular man turned slightly backwards to entirely face me, took out his earphones. But still didn't move his knees to let me son to the inner seat. He swung his arm even further back and now his face was looking right at me. "And where will you be sitting", I heard. Right away I thought that he was one of those fanatics that think kids should give up their seats to their parents even though their parents feel strong and capable and comfortable enough to stand up. That was my immediate thought but he made it clear for me very quickly. I answered that i am just perfectly fine standing up but if he could only let my son  in that would be splendid. His sharp and unapproachable face lit up and he became a nice stranger. "Oh I see!", he said with a smile, " I though you wanted me to give up my seat", he added opening up some space for my son to get to the seat. He loosened up and said "Thank you!" while smiling at me. At the same time my knees when soft on me and I went numb with a very uncomfortable feeling. Very, very uncomfortable feeling.