March 11, 2022

I just remember we were walking south down Ninth Avenue at rush hour
on a Friday. You were carrying this black and white handbag from Madrid
and I was taking quick sips from an iced coffee whenever we’d stop & wait
for the light to turn. The walk signal would switch from a hand to a man
and we’d keep going again: south then east to Broadway then south again.
You wanted to see Union Square at sunset because you heard people play
chess, and if you wait for long enough you can sit down for a game. I thought
you’d just play for enjoyment, but once we got there you pulled a wad of cash
from the leather bag from Madrid, which you slapped down beside the table,
the cash. I think you said, try me, or give me the best you got, and I remember
not wanting to watch. I knew you could play, but I didn’t want to watch you
lose and have to hand over that wad of cash. And if you won, we’d be there
all night. Here, keep the money, I wanted to say. It’s spring, let’s keep walking.