Lessons in Community Living

Last Saturday night around 10:30pm I was riding the Metro from dinner with my parents to my neighborhood. It wasn't too late and there were plenty of people out, so I was sure I could take care of myself. On the first train of my ride a slightly drunk middle-aged man sat down next to me and started talking to me, eventually asking if I had a boyfriend and asking questions about where I live and such. Obviously I tried to cut off the conversation by using short, curt answers, but he didn't seem to notice. Not seeing a way out of the situation while staying on the train, I got off at the next stop in order to wait for the next train. I still felt like I didn't have anything to worry about, but it reminded me of things that can happen to a girl alone in the city. While waiting at the station, I called one of my housemates, Clay, and asked him to come meet me at the metro stop in our neighborhood to walk me home. I felt, and still feel, somewhat silly about doing that, but I guess I have to face the facts. Clay was very gracious as a I apologized while we walked home. I said that I'm so used to being independent that it's hard for me to come to terms with not knowing if it's safe to walk home in my new neighborhood. And then his simple comment meant so much to me, especially in terms of the larger picture: "But that's ok, because all this stuff is about learning to be interdependent." And we are learning. Together.