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New York Minute

A husband and wife on the subway this morning, mid-thirties. The wife sits next to me. She is blond and her face is plain but she’s not unattractive. The husband stands in front of us. He is wearing a baseball cap and his full beard and strong hands can’t hide the fact that he looks like an overgrown boy.

They talk quietly. I read my book. Then I see her take his hand in hers.

“Your hands are so dry”

“They still have plaster on them.”

“You want some hand lotion?”

“No.”

“I have neutoagena.”

“That shit smells.”

“It’s oderless.”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

My wife is always on me to use lotion and I still look at her like she’s got three heads. Sometimes, she puts it on my arms anyhow and after I squirm and make faces I feel better.

I look up at him. We exchange a look and a smile. Then I return to my book.

[Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography]

Categories:  New York Minute  NYC  Subway Stories

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3 comments

1 Chyll Will   ~  Feb 24, 2012 10:06 am

Yeah, man!

2 thelarmis   ~  Feb 24, 2012 2:09 pm

nothing wrong with a dude using hand - or face - lotion. i've got super dry skin and would be completely miserable without the product. i've gotta be careful of what i use, 'coz not only do i not like 'smells', but it can't be too greasy, 'coz i need to hold sticks/mallets.

3 RIYank   ~  Feb 24, 2012 8:55 pm

Yeah, exactly. Me too. Sticks and mallets.

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