Karma

As I got on the train this evening, I was exhausted as usual.  Aching for a seat so I could read my book in peace without wobbling around in an awkward pole dance in the middle of the car, I opted for the empty "Reserved for Elderly or Disabled Persons" seat in the corner.  I do this generally when there are no elderly or disabled persons around, and plan to stand if either comes on board and is in need of a resting space.  So I sat down, opened my book, and immediately smelled human excrement.  I stood quickly, looked down at the shit-streaked blue seat and looked around at the strangers who were riding alongside me.  Nobody said a word.  That's how it is here in New York I guess.  I bet some of them knew that the fresh deposit had been made by someone either wearing thin pants and couldn't wait to go or a baby who sat bare-bottomed and wiped itself all over the slick, cold seat.  Nobody had told me it was there.  Appalled, I figured that it must have just been karma kicking me in the ass for not observing the Reserved sign, and made a mental note to have my jacket washed.  

A few people sat, or began to sit, on the same seat as I had... and I didn't say a thing.