Were connected by the Henry Hudson Bridge.
Sixty-years after that, on the
eleventh day of October–
I crossed that bridge.
Less than ninety hours later,
having traversed twelve states
and three thousand miles,
I arrived home in
Long Beach,
California.
My distinct memory of crossing that bridge was an exclamation:
I take the Henry to the George
The bridge spanning the Spuyten Duyvil Creek segued into the
Henry Hudson Parkway in Harlem and down the road apiece–
crossing a much wider body of water–
was the George Washington Bridge,
New Jersey.
It was the inkwell hour
of 5AM and this image
of the George is
exactly what I saw
from the Henry.
Unfortunately, I did not take that picture.
I was too busy driving at that hour
to take any photographs.
I was too busy Sputening my Duyvil
despite having no idea what that means.
Anyway, one month after returning to Long Beach,
I received a letter from the Henry Hudson
Bridge Commission.
I had neglected to pay a $5.50 toll and there was
a $5 late fee to be added to that amount.
Honestly, I did not do so intentionally.
I had been too excited about taking
the Henry to the George to notice
the toll booth.
Maybe Spuyten Duyvil means
Spitting on the Devil.
The week before Christmas, I called the number
on the citation and something wonderful happened.
Wonderful is not a word often associated with
having to pay a traffic citation but I was told
that the late fee did not apply.
In other words, I was given–approximately–
a 50% discount on a bill I had to pay.
I wished the lady on the phone
a Merry Christmas and she did
the same to me.
What I wish for today is that
I were back in the arms
of the woman for whom
I drove to New York
last summer.
If only she could Spuyten her Duyvil
and walk through my door...
She would
no longer
have to
send me
pictures
like this
one →
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oh!
ReplyDeleteBut I think you were
"Escaping" (as you said)
And didn't see the toll
Since you were saving
The wheels from the troll
That time always makes me very sad
And this winter is intolerable
A man was run over by wheels
In Pleasantville. Traffic is so dangerous
That I come home in tears. But
Strangers know this, even if you don't.
Let me go on record to state:
DeleteI will pay every penny
to transport you + two cats
from your NY door to
my CA door!
Truly?
DeleteYES...
DeleteI dare you to
take me up on this.
Correction:
I HOPE you
take me up on this.
Not just a visit?
DeleteCorrect.
Delete