Not You

Ana lived in Flushing, Queens. The street was alive this morning. Red lanterns were strung across the streets and rose towards the clouds with the morning breeze. Neon signs written with Chinese characters lined the street. Shop windows displayed lucky cats alongside food items, herbal medicine, tea pots and odds and ends.

The food stalls were busy. People spoke in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Dim Sum breakfast yelled a man. The fragrant steam from his vendor cart followed her. Looks good, smells great Ana laughed and told the man. But not today, I have to get to work. Ok, pretty the vendor laughed. You come back later and I’ll take you to dinner. They both laughed and Ana hurried towards her train.

The 7 train was up the block. As Ana went down the subway stairs, the air changed. The air was heavy and hot. The fluorescent lighting flickered and hummed. The morning rush was busy. Commuters hurried past clutching totes and Stanley Travel Cups. No one looked at anyone else. Faces blank and eyes down, they hurried to their trains.

Hey, Hey, where are you going? She heard a loud voice behind her. Anna turned around and saw a tall man running across the train platform towards her. Kendal, where are you going? He seemed familiar, he got closer and Ana stared into his face.

He was handsome. Chiseled cheek bones, expressive green eyes and his brown hair was tasseled from running. Kendal, he said in a warm voice and reached towards her hand. His smile expressed kindness and his face glowed with warmth.

Ana stepped back. For a moment she thought she recognized him. Did she know him? She peered into his eyes. I’m sorry, I’m not Kendal. Before she could say a word he pulled her towards him and she melted against him. He took her face in his hands to kiss her.

The phone alarm sounded, beep, beep, beep. Ana shook herself awake. Where am I, she thought. She looked around the room and all of the items in her room were perfectly placed. Her clothes were out for her to start the day. She thought about her dream but looked at the clock. She had to get going. She had to be at work soon.

Ana dressed and started out the door. The markets were already busy. Men and women haggling over the price of fish and vegetables at the stalls. The Dim Sum Vendor yelled at Ana, what about today? You want to try some. Anna smiled and waved at him. No, but remember you owe me dinner. What he scratched his head, you crazy lady, crazy lady he shouted. Anna laughed and hurried on towards her train.

The fluorescent lights flickered. The rumble of trains in and out of the station and screeching of train wheels on the tracks greeted her. A saxophonist played on the platform. His case opened in front of him, dollars and coins inside of it. The notes of a song rise from the opening of his saxophone. The player swayed back and forth dancing to the music.

Another commuter stepped close to the saxophonist and started to sing. Ana recognized the song, it was the Christina Perri and David Hodges song 1000 years. The commuter sang:

One step closer

… I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

… Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath, every hour has come to this

… One step closer

… I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

The crowd on the platform waiting for their trains burst into applause. There are some shouts of “yeah” and “you get them”. The saxophonist and commuter wave at everyone as a train rumbles into the station. Everyone looks to see if it’s their train.

Ana steps back to let the crowd board. Her train should be next, she thinks. She turns around and notices a homeless man reaching into a garbage can. He pulls out a half eaten sandwich and takes a bite. He turns to look at her. In a moment, there is a feeling of déjà vu. Their eyes meet. Kendal he says. He steps towards her.

The man had layers of mismatched clothing on. His overcoat was tattered. His pants were too long for him and he tripped over them as he walked towards her. Dirty white sneakers peeped out from under the long pants. He was unshaven and his skin was weather beaten. His eyes, they were the piercing green eyes that she remembered from her dream. They spoke to her of untold memories and stories.

Kendal he said, it’s me. He stumbled towards Ana with the half eaten sandwich in his hand. He was grasping at air and moving towards her. He was coming for her. Ana backed away, I don’t know you she said. He stumbled towards her again and she backed away. Kendal don't say that! He lunged toward her and grabbed her arm. I love you, Kendal. Frightened, Ana tried to back away.

Two NYPD officers appeared, they grabbed the man from behind and pulled him away. Miss, miss are you OK? Do you know this man? One of the officers held the mans arms behind him. His back was arched as he leaned towards Ana. He pulled hard in her direction, trying to reach her. He screamed, she knows me, I love her, I meet her every night in my dreams.