Episode Four & Five – On the train with ‘Tweens and Teens

I finally make my way down the stairs waiting quietly on the platform when finally the number 6 train arrives.  It’s rush hour; the train is sardine style full.  I know where to stand, typically first by the door, so when the doors open I am swept in, my feet barely touching the ground as I am shoved well near center of the car. I spot a seat though it’s between a ‘tween and a teen both sitting with legs wide open so as to intimidate others into not coming near.  Not a problem for me, I use the polite term, “excuse me,” turn around in clear indication I am about to land my butt into the clearance or their legs, aim and plop.  This time however, I land in part on the leg of the ‘tween who decided not to make the appropriate accommodation.  Here we go, “Get your fat ass off my leg,” he starts in.  “This is not your private living room.  There’s plenty of room here if people like you wouldn’t try to take up more than a reasonable allotment,” I retort very loudly looking around for support within the captive crowd who mainly either is looking on in order to enjoy the excitement or those who are looking away so as to not become involved.  There is one more group, those who are pissed with me ‘cause I got a seat and they did not. I notice two heads nodding in agreement.  Anyway you count there is no unity for my position.  “Why doesn’t anyone teach kids good manners anymore? We are the adults,” I call out in further attempt to garner some support.  Futile attempt, I can now see that I am being viewed as the perpetrator of the car’s annoyance.  Best to be quiet, I shift about and hide my face in the free handout paper.  Then it starts again, but this time it’s the teen on my other side. “I should hit you,” I can hardly believe what I have heard.  “You so much as lay one finger on me and I’ll have you arrested. Is that clear?” I say very forcefully so as to let these kids with hoodlum attitudes know that I am safe where I am.  Of course, I now have to stay on the train well past my stop to be sure these two exist before me.