Two days ago I left my apartment to go to DC. As I walked to the subway, I was suddenly overcome with the fear that I'd left the coffee pot on. But I was going to miss my connection to DC if I turned around, and what were the chances that I'd done that, really? So I kept going.
Riding the F train to Manhattan, the thought would not leave me. I imagined the building catching on fire. What would happen to my cats? Would anyone get them out? Would anyone from the building, or the management company, know how to reach me? But of course I could not have left the coffee pot on. I've only done that once in as long as I can remember.
Maybe the building would not burn, but my cats would be overcome by the toxic fumes as the plastic melted down around the hot plate.
Well into Manhattan, I decided to take the train to DC instead of the bus, and caught the 12:05 Metroliner south. At some point these thoughts left me.
Tonight, as I emerged from the subway, I sniffed the air. No smell of smoke, just the slight cold edge of New York in early spring. I walked up the street. I turned the corner. It was quiet. I entered my building, got my mail, and climbed the stairs.
The cats ran to the door and made happy noises as I came in.
Posted by Emily at March 12, 2004 01:54 AM