Feelin’ Good

“I’m running late. I’m so sorry. I should be there in about 15 minutes.”

No problem. I’ve got a book; I’ll just sit on a bench here on Shattuck and wait for you. Call me as you’re closer and I’ll come to the curb.

It’s been a long time since I’ve hung out in Berkeley. I found an empty bench, right at the Downtown Berkeley BART station entrance. There were people all around. Students, homeless, people just hanging. Boomboxes blaring, people sharing their lunches with one another. As I read my book, I smelled a slightly acrid, yet slightly familiar smell. What was that? I sniffed, still not recognizing it, and continued my reading.

She called again. She was a block away. I stood up. Then quickly sat back down, my head spinning. That smell. I was second hand stoned.