I was losing it. Nothing really happened. Nothing bad or important. But the moment I stepped out of the store, my chest was aching and tears were trying to burst.
Breathing in and out, slowly, deeply.
"I am not going to cry on the street in front of everyone!
Nothing really bad happened, just a sad day, did not sleep enough, but who's fault was that?
Ok, lunch was a disappointment, but you should have waited for the delivery guy yourself, then you would have realized there was a mistake in the order and would not have had been forced to pay more and eat something you did not want (and give half of it away). It was only five dollars more, nothing terrible.
Nobody screamed at you, you did not have to deal with any annoying people; even your boss did not call as much today. You're fine, you're fine.
Okay, your wrist hurts; but again, it started hurting two days ago, and you yourself decided to be careful with it not to make it worse. So who was moving around marble shelves the very same evening? Twice! No wonder it hurts now. But not too bad.
And it was good, that you asked the cashier about the wrist brace and checked if it’s for the right (left) hand. And you did not have to carry all those shampoos down and up the stairs while looking for the wrist brace again. You actually picked the one that you need, never mind it’s a little bit more expensive, it’s for your health.
And it only makes sense that you'd have to wait for the cashier who had all your other purchases aside. Not her fault the guy before you had trouble with his card and the register crashed.
Okay, calm down, they did not try to overcharge you. You did pick up all those shampoos, remember? Three bottles altogether and the wrist brace – ads up just fine.
You took out the cash yesterday, but there should be something left on the card; its alright, you don’t have to cancel the whole thing after all this trouble, you have enough.
No big deal you forgot about the club card. Losing points is not that important, you’re here all the time anyway. And it’s not the guys fault either. Its late, there is a line, he had to take care of you and calm down the other cashier, he just forgot to ask about the card and you forgot to show it. He did not put the stupid wrist brace in the bag, but you remembered to check, right? Nothing bad. Good, really. Why panicking, why tears? I will not cry on the street!"
I was losing it, for no reason. A few more moments and I would have started crying, loud, just breaking down.
And then there was a glimpse of light. Literary. It looked like a dress of light, no really; or did it? Curiosity. It did help for a little bit - like a baby, I saw something new and forgot about my troubles. But only for a little bit, because the dress was not there anymore and nobody else seemed to notice it. So I went a bit further, and there it was again. Definitely a dress. A Glowing Dress. Somebody is walking around that column in a Glowing Dress. I went further again, right till the crossroads, but the Dress was at the other side, making a circle. If I stay still it will come back. And then there was traffic. Cars and buses blocked the view for so long; the traffic light just did not want to change. Finally they started moving. Slowly, still blocking the other side of the street, until the last bus zoomed away and I saw it.
A couple was dancing, finishing their dance, really. Picturesque girl in a glowing dress and an elegant boy. Dancing. So sweetly. So beautiful. Twirling her and holding gently. And then it stopped glowing. And they walked away together, his arm still around her, her head on his shoulder; disappearing in the dark of the evening.
They were magical.
I caught only the last moments of the dance, but it saved me. There are still things so beautiful in this life, even when I am sad, so I was sad no more; and instead of tears came a smile that I did not have to suppress. It was soft, but it was enough.
They were probably so cold, it was December, and they really had only light clothes on, but they were so sweet. I have no idea who they were and I did not have a camera, but they were brilliant.
Thank you, Glowing Dress!
It was at Columbus circle, December 2nd 2011, around 8:30 pm.
You made me a little bit happier.