September 20, 2021 - Andrade’s Shoe Repair

In the window of Andrade’s shoe repair shop, at Sixth Avenue and West Twelfth Street, hang seventeen umbrellas. They’re of the size, length, and design that can alternate as a walking cane: curved wooden handles and wrap around buttons that click into place when closed, keeping everything together. Most of the umbrellas hanging in the window are black, though others are dark blue, beige, or grey. I haven’t bought an umbrella in years.

After I asked the man behind the counter about the navy one with the cherry wood handle (third from the left), he went into the back of the shop and a few moments later re-emerged with a key. After he reached up toward the display window, he handed me the umbrella and spoke, “This one’s twenty dollars” ––– then added, “plus tax.” “Deal,” or something similar, I replied ––– paid, then was on my way.