Across the Hall
You’re not supposed to know your neighbors in the City. That’s the rule, I’ve heard. They should be strangers— an across the hall, up the stairs, down the corridor annoyance that is tolerated, not embraced. But it was Easter and I saw that someone new had moved across the hall so I deposited a pot of tulips and a plate of brownies at the doorstep. Trying out my latest, most politically correct character, my note wished the stranger(s), “Happy Easter/Spring/ Holy holiday of your choice. Whatever your religious beliefs, I hope that you like chocolate! Welcome to the building!”
Now, 4 years later, I doubt I would ever do such a thing. Leave food, flowers and my china plate on some unknown’s welcome mat? It’s like an offering to the gods but extended toward mere mortals—so much time, kindness and thought expended… But, I didn’t know any better back then because I was so, so green.
There were two of them that moved in—an Irish Catholic and a Sephardic Persian. How did they pair up? How did an actress from Long Island and an Iranian émigré in finance meet and move into my corner of SoHo? I’d ask them dozens of times to tell me their story. This is one of life’s most interesting riddles, you see: the process of meeting your other half, coming together, making something whole.
Our time to talk and drink was after her auditions…
September 8th, 2006 at 9:10 am
I must be antisocial. I’ve never attempted anything like this.
I don’t even like not-too-good friends eating from my china. Nevermind strangers.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:08 am
But Belle, this is what you bring to the city, nay, what the city needs you to bring: Down south hospitality, whether that be offering up iced tea or biscuits to new neighbours. I say let New Yorkers be New Yorkers, but let Belle be Belle.
September 11th, 2006 at 8:07 am
I tend to drink before my auditions. Perhaps THAT is what is holding me back…
Care to share the brownie recipe?
September 16th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Don’t let the city jade you from being who you are/were. I say still leave food & flowers, just on a non-china plate (if you aren’t adverse to using paper or some sort of disposable plates, they do make them in attractive patterns)!! A little kindness goes a long way, even in (or especially in) New York.