A kindness I’d never forgotten
Almost exactly 11 years ago, on August 6th, 2013, I went with Alison to a cafe a few blocks south of me called Pier 72.
We went there a couple of times but, really, hardly ever went there because it was a bit older than other joints in the area, but the food was good, the people nice, and the prices pretty cheap.
I don’t think we went there again after that; well, she didn’t, for reasons you already know.
I did because, when she was sick and losing all that weight from the chemo, she turned to me one day and said, randomly, “I could eat a patty melt.”
So, I asked her what that was and she told me.
Then I ran to Pier 72 because it was certain it would have it.
I was wrong.
Him: Sorry, we don’t sell that here.
Me: Please. It looks like this (shows him a picture). My wife…she’s…sick. She hasn’t eaten in days and I’m worried she’ll die. I can pay whatever you’d like for it.
Him: (gently) It looks like a cheeseburger on a sliced bread. I can do that for you.
Me: Yes. Please. I mean, thank you. I’ll pay whatever you think is fair.
Him: (shaking his head) It’s a cheeseburger on toast with onions. Just pay what we charge for a burger. Don’t worry about it. We’ll make it for her.
Went there a few times after that, always getting a patty melt and maybe a Reuben for me. Alison only ate a little each time.
It was a kindness I’d never forgotten. It was one of the only things Alison would agree to eat.
They shut down after COVID.
For years afterward, it was empty.
But, one day recently, the joint opened as a Kossar’s Bagel and Bialys.
The kid’s been asking to go for ages, and I finally brought him the other day.
We couldn’t sit where Alison and I last sat when it was Pier 72 because that became the cream cheese display.
So, we sat across from it and I looked at the corner of where we sat, almost exactly 11 years earlier and I could hear her voice in my head.
Something about the fact that I was sitting there with her son but not her hurt me in ways I can’t fully express nor explain.
Then the boy’s voice cut through my thoughts.
Him: I love the everything bagel! Can we come back here again?
Me: (distracted) Oh…sure. Of course.
Him: What’s wrong? You look like you’re crying.
Me: (clearing throat) Oh, it’s the summer. Allergies, you know…
Him: I’m sorry you have allergies, papa.
Me: It’s ok. I’m always ok when you’re around.
Him: Yay! Me too!
Location: at H Mart, looking for kombucha with the Firecracker
Mood: pensive
Music: You’re the movie in my mind to which I know every line (Spotify)
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