I left the book on a bench, quickly snapped a photo to document the drop, and escaped the park, crossed the cobblestone street to head back to the office. Unbeknownst to me, he had followed, all that way, called after me, held the book out with concern.
"You left this," he said breathlessly.
"Oh. No. I meant to," I stumbled for words. "It's this thing. Rock the drop. You leave a book for someone."
He stared blankly.
"You can keep it, if you want it."
"But it's yours. You forgot it."
"No. Well. Yes. But I meant to. Do you want it?"
"You forgot it," he insisted.
Before I knew it, the book was back in my hands and he was gone. I stood on the street corner, having never loved New York City (its kindness, its strangeness) more.
I crossed back over the cobblestones, passed the band, found my bench and placed the book there. Again.
That's sorta awesome that he wanted to make sure you hadn't lost your book :) I was a little worried the same thing would happen to me, so I was so ridiculous with my covert behavior as I dropped.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I can't stop laughing. That was funny. :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Rock the Drop...I am intrigued! And I like the kindness.
ReplyDeleteThat’s really funny - straight out of a situation comedy! I can just see you dropping it the second time and then running away super fast so no one could catch you to return it!
ReplyDeleteI rocked the drop last year and remember feeling very secretive and almost as if I would get in trouble if someone caught me. And I checked the spot again two hours later to see if someone picked it up (they had). It's such a great idea. I wish I had remembered to do it this year. Maybe I'll go put a book out today anyway. :)
ReplyDelete