Opinions

From Queens’ hinterlands, it’s hard to reach Stuyvesant by eight. My mornings mirror the “Saved by the Bell” theme song: “I’m at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by.”

I was running late when my bus reached the train station. At the top of the stairs, I cringed as I heard the train come to a screeching halt. My commuting instincts took over: I pushed aside a man in front of me, leapt down the stairs, and stiff-armed a Jehovah’s Witness handing out flyers. I jumped the turnstile with an Olympic hurdler’s speed and grace, and sighed with relief as I slipped through the closing doors. As I dropped my bag, a thud startled me. Imprints of a cheek and hand were visible on the subway door’s window: my mom would have to catch the next train.

Once my heart stopped beating fiercely, I noticed a horrible stench. Its source sat across three seats, and held a sign that read “Starvin’ Marvin.” I said hello and took a seat next to him. Other passengers kept their distance. Marvin had guarded my seat well, and I gave him his daily wage of Funyuns.

Feeling bored, I took out my iPod. I usually raise the volume as high as possible so passengers without iPods don’t feel left out. That day, I kept the volume low and sang the lyrics loudly: I always wanted to be in chorus, and who doesn’t enjoy Vanessa Carlton in the morning?

Near Houston Street, I paused briefly to survey my audience. My friends’ familiar faces greeted me. At my performance’s start, one had snatched a sliver of a seat between two giants. Now he sat comfortably, pressing his neighbors against the railings. He quickly averted his gaze as an elderly man, a cripple, and a pregnant woman walked aboard. Another friend stood next to a group of Puerto Rican girls and eavesdropped. The girls talked excitedly, oblivious to his mastery of Spanish.

As the train neared Chambers Street, I cut my performance short. Instead, I conversed with a bible-brandishing bearded man. He assured me the world was going to end and Jesus was on his way. Then, a heavenly voice rang out: there was a delay because of construction. Although the train reached its destination, my immortal soul, unfortunately, did not.

And that’s why I was late to math team, Mr. Stern.