30 people. 30 days. Day 19: Blaine

Blaine wanted a turkey sandwich. I didn’t know that when I first saw him walk into my favorite local Mexican joint.

​I was eating a chicken burrito. And obviously Blaine didn’t notice my friend and I, or our plates of Mexican food, sitting at a table next to the door.

I noticed Blaine seemed both surprised and upset when he walked out with Christine. “But it says Deli in the name.” He was right about that. “It seems like it should have...”

And that’s when I interrupted. I wanted them to know that Abraham, the owner and chef of Deli Mex, is a fantastic man and their food was super fresh and very delicious.

“It looks good,” he said. “But I was hoping to get a turkey sandwich.” I thought to myself, “Seriously, it’s three days before Thanksgiving?!”

I don’t know if Blaine and Christine are a couple, or if it’s serious and all that other stuff that others might ask. I didn’t see any rings on their fingers, so I didn’t ask. I did learn, by asking, that he lives just down the street, and walks to the park to exercise everyday. Due to some construction, the two decided to take a new route to the park. And that’s how come we met.

Most of what we shared was small talk. Light chit-chat, you might say. It was the kind of conversation that is often reserved for someone who is standing in line at a popular Manhatten deli waiting to pick-up an order. But still, we were engaged; at least as far as listening and sharing our favorite food joints in the neighborhood.

Even though it was quick and still, it was nice to meet a neighbor. And it was also nice to be able to introduce him to Abraham who makes a wonderful chicken burrito, some of the best and freshest juices in the world, and the best ceviche I’ve tasted. But unfortunately for Blaine he doesn’t make a turkey sandwich despite what the sign might suggest.