A New York Story

I was shaken and scared....

I had a busy day, brunch with a group of friends, then a long walk, shopping at the Strand bookstore, a walk through a street fair etc. We took the cross town bus across 14th street-the traffic was heavy. BL wanted to go the the Chelsea Market for fresh vegetables for tomorrows party-for the grill. I was tired- and had had enough walking and just wanted to go home. So, I walked to the Market with her and then grabbed a cab. I got in, barely hitting an Explorer with my door. As I was closing the door, someone was holding the door. "You damaged my car!" said an irate blond middle aged woman with a Germanic accent and two children in the car. I looked and there was a small mark-not a dent, not a scratch just a ". She was holding the door and demanding I get out, speaking in a loud and angry voice. I refused. If you drive in NYC, you expect these little marks. She was insistent. Holding the door and reaching for me until BL came back and said 'don't you touch her.' I was at a loss. I felt that I had done nothing wrong. Our is full of such little marks and dings. As a pedestrian I have no insurance against making little marks and felt she was about to get violent. I was exhausted and just wanted to get home. A crowd was gathering. One man came up and said 'you have your rights, stand firm. BL finally suggested she call the police, so she did. While she did that, I also did and explained my situation. While I was on the phone, she got in her car and drove off. I was shaken and exhausted.

Street drama in NYC.