pre-seder at penn station

I am sitting in the waiting area of Penn Station. Alexander is meeting me here, and he's just around the corner, about three minutes away. 

I hold the seat next to me in anticipation of my son's imminent arrival. An older woman approaches me and asks if she can sit in the empty seat next to me. I tell her I am holding it for my son, as he is almost here. Without complaint, she takes a seat nearby as there are many open seats.

The woman next to the empty seat — in her early 70's I'd guess — says to me, "That was pretty rude of you!"

There are many single seats around; there are no two seats together.  She then adds, "This is the reason I hate coming to New York." The implication is clear. I am another inconsiderate New Yorker.

I am going to my sister's in Long Island for a big family Seder, and I choose not to engage her. It's a holiday. Be pleasant, I tell myself. Today is not a day for petty arguments.

Alexander arrives and soon the woman leaves. A 50-ish businessman takes her seat.

I ask Alexander what he thinks of the just-released Mueller Report. "I don't have an informed opinion," he tells me. "I haven't read it yet." As if anyone I know has actually read it!

From nowhere, the guy next to my son says, "Mind if I join in?"

This being New York, and my son being inclined to never listen to me, I say yes, glad to have an assumed ally.

The man begins.

"Well, first of all, we all know that Hillary was behind it. She set the President up and prompted this whole ridiculous investigation."

From there, it gets worse. 

He goes on to praise Trump. Admonish all Democrats. And criticize the findings in the Mueller Report. His delivery is calm and non-confrontational; his rhetoric is absurd and offensive. 

But my son seems to be enjoying it all. Not because he agrees with this man, but because he knows my attempt at having an ally has failed miserably.

Finally we need to leave to catch our train. I am grateful for any reason to exit.

Our abbreviated Passover Seder is great. Jack's the photographer tonight and sends me a few photos.

michael, jason and adam 

two uncles with their adorable niece

Adam and Rachel

18 in all, and not one Trump supporter among us.

I'm assuming the political preference of the one-year-old and three-year-old who keep us laughing throughout the evening.