We waited for the pedestrian signal

Georgia Avenue nw near Princeton Place NW, Washington DC

Description

It was around 6:10 pm in Petworth. As I approached the intersection of Georgia and New Hampshire avenue, a group of people were waiting for the pedestrian signal even though no cars were coming. I waited also. As people moved south, the group began to disperse. Then at the corner of Princeton Place NW I stopped to wait for the signal again, even though no cars were coming. I noticed you standing there also, waiting beside me. Then you turned to me and asked me “Are they tough on jaywalkers here?” At first I didn’t hear what you had said and I asked you to repeat it. I replied that I think so much in my day, it was easier not to think about it (and just obey the signal.) You replied: “that’s probably safer.” It was the perfect thing to say. Then the signal turned to “walk”, we crossed the street, and I watched you walk away. I went to meet someone else for a date. I wish I had replied, or at least said, “have a good night.” There was something beautiful about that moment with the people waiting for the signal together pointlessly. Then you being the only one left, standing beside me waiting for the pedestrian signal. These things happen every day. Everything about it was so mundane. I just wanted to say that I felt something. Humanness. Being alive in these times. All the things that can happen in a single day... the things we remember, and the people. I would do it all again. Next time I would say something better.