Our Child's First Toy

One thing I have learned about my stay in New York is that the rumors are true: New Yorkers are loud, unclean, and extremely rude. I've been all around the United States and I can say that without a doubt the rudest people are in New York. Whether they are white, black, brown or green, the New Yorker is, in general, a very rude and uncaring species. Having said that, I must say that I had to put my foot in my mouth the other day, as I was proven that once again, you cannot generalize an entire people into a category.

Naomi and I were running out of clean clothes and we had to do laundry. Laundromats are a dime a dozen in New York since nobody can have a washing machine at home (apparently). Another interesting fact is that since I met Naomi I have never seen her do any laundry, so I end up doing it all. I don't mind. I get a weird sense of satisfaction out of cleaning things (Yes, it's my anal side). I was sitting at the laundromat while Naomi was sleeping in the car. I was watching as the clothes were going round and round and waiting patiently for the rinse cycle to finish. Suddenly a man walks through the door. Big man, in his early sixties. He changed some bills into quarters and headed towards the crane machine in the corner. I have to be honest, I have never been able to win at these crane machines, and I don't usually try as I see it as a waste of money. This specific machine took fifty cents per try. I couldn't help but look at the man as he played the game. Time and time again, he won. I was shocked. He played probably around ten times, and won seven. As he left the premises with all his stuffed animals I couldn't help but to share my amazement.
"Wow, you're good" I said.
"Yeah, thanks...." he snickered at me.

He left and I stayed watching as the clothes went into the spin cycle now. A few minutes later he came back. He had more money with him. I went to the machine to see him play and I wished him good luck. Again, he played a few times, winning more than half of the time, sometimes even double prize.

"So, what do you do with all those toys?" I asked him.
—I give them to charity...
—That is very kind of you.
— yeah, well, we give them to this orphanage... you see, my wife, she has a business where she embroiders things, so we go to the orphanage and we tell the kids who wants them and she... she puts the name of the kid on the toy and then we give it to them. Sometimes for Halloween, or Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I nodded with joy as he told me the story.

"I think that is a very kind gesture." I finally added when he was done.

He walked out of the laundromat and I put all the clothes into the dryer. When they were done, I walked out and put everything in the trunk of the car. I noticed that the man had parked next to me. He signaled for me to come over.

"Check this out." He said as he opened the sliding door to his minivan. On the backseat, there were at least 20 toys, sitting placidly as if happy to go for a joyride. "All these are going to charity... except for the dragon. That one is for my grand daughter—Do you have any little ones?"

I smiled candidly and shook my head. "No. Not yet" I turned to Naomi who was still sleeping and said "but we're expecting!".

The man smiled and pointed at the toys. "Pick one. For your little one... Except the dragon." I looked around and there were all sorts of stuffed animals. Some were good quality, some were pretty bad. I chose a little puppie that looked fit for an infant. "This one!" I said with pride as I took the puppie from within the stuffed animal bundle. The man looked at me and smiled. I didn't know what to say.

As the man backed out and left, I noticed he had a Puerto Rico flag hanging from the rear view mirror. I waved as he pulled out and into the avenue. I don't think he saw me.