Certain DC Metro stations are burrowed deep underground – did you know that the Wheaton station has the longest escalator in this hemisphere? For the deepest stations, it is substantively faster to catch the elevator. One of my locals sits about a hundred yards above one of these stations. As a gentleman who favors expedience and preparation, I tend to know the exact rail car to board to be among the first to reach the elevator.
There were four people and a toddler who rode with me: three 40 something women, an early thirtysomething and her barely talking child. The young mother was struggling to get mittens on her son as he utilized the favorite word in any child’s vocabulary – No. It went on this way for a few moments as he clinched and moved his tiny fists away from his mom.
Maybe it is the spirit of optimism surrounding Obama’s inauguration, but, for some reason I found this scene endearing. “Look at me” I smiled “I’m putting on my mittens.”
“We’re all putting on our mittens” said the woman to my left as everyone nodded agreement while donning their gloves.
“Yes we are putting on mittens” I refrained in a toddler specific tone that emerged from a part of my soul I do not acknowledge.
Mittens were secured and then I learned that he had more vocabulary.
“High fife mittens?” he shouted with an outstretched hand.
“Yes, high five for mittens” I replied with a slap to his celebratory little hand.
Posted by restaurant refugee 
