I'm still working on my final post about my grandmother. It's taking a while to knock into shape.

I was riding the metro not an hour ago, doing my little sitting-down-reading-a-book-riding-the-train thing (it's a cool thing) and this twelve-year-old kid dressed in a pinstripe sport coat, bright yellow scarf, and ragged jeans approached me. He told me he had a trick he'd like to try out on me. A magic trick.

This kid, he had showmanship. He was all smiles and immediately engaging. He actually said “I've got nothing up my sleeves” without a trace of irony—he really was just showing me that he had nothing up his sleeves! He introduced himself—Joe—and flourished his scarf, “to show you that it's empty.” He asked me to yell ‘abra-cadabra’ at the top of my voice, and I of course obliged, attracting stares from all the passengers. Joe was unperturbed and nonchalantly balled the scarf up, gave it a yank,

and a live dove popped out and settled calmly onto his arm.

It was just damn cool, is what it was. The entire train was impressed. The passengers would have burst into applause if this weren't D.C. and everyone here wasn't hardwired to be terminally cynical; but it is, and so they didn't. It's okay. I got to talking with Joe (pictured here by the Capitol Dome because why not?) and I got him a hot dog. We chilled for a while and had a good time. Joe claims to be one of the best child magicians in the country, although the website he gave me is broken, and he couldn't afford his own hot dog. (Neither could I, really. I'll have to sneak back onto the metro; but it's an easy crime to commit, and worthwhile in this case.)

In any case, this one little thing really brightened my day. I mean, it was just a dove in a scarf, but it restored my faith in humanity.

Thanks, Joe.

Thanks for this wonderful story J'myle! It has made my day seem a little better, especially since I'm dealing with racism towards my next door neighbor. There's an article about it in today's (Feb 24) Tribune, second page of the local section about a racial slur spray painted on another neighbor's fence. Your story was uplifting--can you send the white dove this way:) Pat

Posted by  Anonymous @ 12:18 PM

 

Thanks for this wonderful story J'myle! It has made my day seem a little better, especially since I'm dealing with racism towards my next door neighbor. There's an article about it in today's (Feb 24) Tribune, second page of the local section about a racial slur spray painted on another neighbor's fence. Your story was uplifting--can you send the white dove this way:) Pat

Posted by  Anonymous @ 12:22 PM

 

Good story...it would a good movie scene. I talked to Dave Watkiss today. He asked how you were doing and sends his regards. Guy

Posted by  Anonymous @ 6:36 PM

 

sent photos to your dad of you, him with knife and a great one of grandma holding a chagall...
for copies email me at [email]

Posted by  Anonymous @ 11:32 AM

 

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