I left work early (8pm) and thought what fortune to have a train waiting in the station! After waiting in the station three minutes, the conductor informs us there was a fire at the station ahead and we will not be moving any time soon. She suggested taking the bus or another train route. I should have known a waiting train was a bad omen.
I ran to another station and took that train. I get off and hop a bus to get home. That bus stopped fifteen blocks before my stop and declared this was the end of the line because he was heading home. It is now 9:18pm. The passengers look around in disbelief. We get off the bus and start to make friends the NY way. “Hey where’s the next bus and how far north does it go?” The nerdy guy with a musical instrument says he got off the train for the bus and did not want to wait for another bus since it has already been an hour. He’d rather walk since he was only thirteen blocks away (two blocks from my apartment). I glanced at him and did not get the crazy vibe. So I asked, “do you mind if I walk with you?” He said no problem. He’s a saxophone player new to the city (about a year). He teaches part-time and plays with several bands, including his own. A block from our final destination, he tells me he has a gig Sunday night if I want to hear him play. May as well be nice, so I told him to give me the information for the club. As we cross the street, we talk about roommates and prime NY real estate. He has two roommates that don’t realize their mothers won’t pick up after them now they are on their own. He said his only solace is that he house-sits for a friend that lives on the upper west side (70s) in a rent controlled apartment and only pays $400/month. This is when my eyes and ears perked like a pointer retriever. So naturally I ask, “is he planning to move?” No. “Okay, well is he married?” No. “Alright because I’ll marry him just to get on the lease.” Nerdy musician gives me a funny look. “No I’m serious for prime NY real estate, I’d consider marriage. Have a good night!” We walk our separate ways.
Now remember, the two “m” words scare me (marriage and motherhood). So you know the NY housing market has to be horrendous when I consider marriage! Don’t give me that look. Oh yes, I am going to hear nerdy jazz musician play so I can meet his friend that has a rent controlled apartment on the coveted upper west side. If we marry, it will built on mutual respect and the medieval tradition of marriage in exchange for the acquisition of land. See, I am a traditional woman after all. Jazz hands 🙂
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.