lightening

Last night, after a overly intense conversation about yoga, I made my
way home from the city. After a little subway ride (with a transfer),
I was ready to go on foot. My area is currently experiencing monsoon
like rain, complete with thunder and lightening up the wazoo. I am
afraid of lightening. This weekend, I made my dear friend unplug
everything in my house when a few bolts struck down somewhere on my
front sidewalk (I'm exaggerating a little bit here--not about the
unplugging part, though).

So, I stood on a corner, about a half-mile from home, and saw a big
flash. I jumped, as I am wont to do in a surprising situation. There
was a man who saw me. He was wearing a white tank top and
something I can only describe as white jams. The following is as close
to an actual recounting of our conversation as I can get:
Him: You saw that, huh.
Me: Yeah. It's a little terrifying.
Him: Nah, it's energy.
Me: It can kill you.
Him: I'm Pauly. What's your name?
Me: I'm [insert name here].
Pauly: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: Uh-huh.
Pauly: Of course you do, your beautiful.
Me: Thanks. [I'm basically walking at a trot by this point.]
Pauly: You don't have anything to be afraid of, I'm here.
Me: It's lightening. It can hit us.
Pauly: Your safe...if lightening comes, I'll jump in front of you. I
can take it.
Me: Then we will both be dead.
Pauly: Then you would have to go out with me to dinner...I would have
just saved your life.
Me: If that happens, then I will go out with you.
Pauly: Ok. This is my block. Enjoy the night. It's beautiful!

I love my neighborhood.