No Stuffed Animal Necessary
When my son Max was younger, 2 or 3, he was terrified of the subway.
Riding in to visit the Museum of Natural History was our big trip from Queens and it entailed two transfers. He stuck close to me (attached to my leg or I carried him) when we went from one train to another and, once on the train, he buried his head into my arms while sitting on my lap. Usually we had to bring a small stuffed animal with us as added protection.
Last Saturday we traveled in together – the first time in a while – and it was a very different experience. Now that he’s 5 1/2 he doesn’t need to be in my lap or hide his head – he sits next to me and holds my hand. No stuffed animal is necessary.
I watched him look around and people-watch, then cock his head to the side, as if he was listening to something.
“The train rocks a lot,” he said.
“I guess it does,” I said.
“Why does the train make so much noise?”
“Does it?”
He nodded.
“Probably because it’s old,” I said.
“Why do people leave their bags and cans on the floor?”
He pointed to the floor beneath the bench across from us.
“Because they’re not thinking about saving the Earth.”
“Why does it squeak?”
I stopped myself from answering. I listened instead. The train did indeed squeak.
“I don’t know the answer to that. Maybe the wheels need oil.”
“The squeaking makes me feel like I’m vibrating.”
Now that I heard the squeaking too I noticed it set my teeth on edge.
“Me too.”
“Hey, Dad.”
“What?”
“Why are there no seatbelts?”
I looked around and imagined the car’s passengers all strapped in and buckled up – except for the standing ones.
“Daddy?”
“Because no one would use them,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s the subway and things are different down here.”
I know I didn’t satisfy him but I was grateful he moved on.
–Joe Lunievicz