It was a beautiful fall day. I rolled over ... naked in my lover's arms, kissed his nose and smiled, "'Morning."

Blah. Ok ... so that didn't happen. My alarm went off at 8:30. The night before, my genius roommate told me that Norm left a message about being at home or something. So I thought, "Hmm .. maybe no 'White Plains' Wednesday." I was wrong. I called her to make sure and ... yup ... I had to haul ass. Showered and got ready. Everything was pretty ordinary. Got a (what's become almost routine) Red Bull from the corner store and waited for the bus. Got into the city. Got a Metrocard. Got on the 7 train. Got to Grand Central. Took the escalator up. Rushed to see the train schedule.

11:02 to North White Plains. First stop, Fordham.

Perfect.

I just needed a ticket. That's when things started getting warped. That's when I realized more cops around me than usual. I turn the corner to the main terminal and ... Army guys. All over the place. Army guys and even more cops. There's yellow police tape sealing off pretty much the main area. I felt my breathing increase. My eyes ... wider. All senses ... wide open.

Bomb ... scare.

There's a ... bomb ... scare. I'm standing in Grand Central ... and there is ..a bomb ... scare.

They told everyone to go outside. That the area was sealed because of an investigation. I saw the small black bag on the floor. I went outside and called Norm to tell her I'd be late (or dead). Photographers darting around. Frustrated people on their cell phones. More cops and army personnel. Then we were able to use another entrance. Certain tracks were still open. Funny how in situations like that ... total strangers can get along. I've never seen Grand Central like that. I got a sticky bun from one of the stands. My heart was racing a little but ... I dunno ... I figured if it was very very serious ... there's no way they'd allow anyone to even be in Grand Central.

"Do you have apple juice?" I asked the girl behind the counter.

"No. Only orange."

"Hmmm .. thanks."

There's a possible bomb in the building and I'm having a craving for apple juice?

I walked over to the next stand. This other guy was standing there waiting. No one was behind the counter. The guy said he thought someone was in the back but there wasn't. I looked over the counter and ... eerie. This clipboard on the floor. Door to the back room just swinging.

Then the train I wanted to catch came in. People coming off who didn't even know what was going on. I still wanted apple juice. The stand I got my sticky bun from earlier was now closed. And except for a few workers and passengers walking to the train on the 41st track ... there was no one else around. So creepy. I called Norm when I was halfway to White Plains. Everyone on the train had this ragged look. Just tired. I was still wide-eyed.

It took me a while to get my mind off it when I got to White Plains. The rest of the day was pretty much ordinary. Right down to having sushi for lunch. Hmm ... except for the cashier holding my hand as he gave me my change. That was weird. He just cupped his hand around mine, looked at me and put the change in my hand. I got everything I needed to do ... done ... in no time at all.

Later in the afternoon, I dropped by the mall again after dropping off an order at Kinko's. They had some show going on. Brooke Allison was performing. Brooke/Britney/Christina/Whoever .... they all run into one now. I had no idea who she was but she set the mood for shopping. Her dancers weren't bad. Looking all N*SYNC/Backstreet Boys/O-Town/Whoever else -like. I tried holding out but I mean ... Old Navy ... and ... sale and ... I had to. I got a new sweater and a couple tees and then strangely felt guilty after. I have no idea why since, lately I haven't been shopping nearly as much as I used to. I took the train back into the city after 6. Aaron called me as I was getting ready to leave so I told him I'd drop by.

Got back to the city. Grand Central was still there. Things were back to ... 'normal' ... or at least ... the new normal. I called Aaron, dropped by Husani's for a minute and then went over to Aaron's. He was parking the car when I got to his building. So glad I don't have a car here. Parking's a bitch. I hung out at his place for a while. His friend, Alex was there. We had something to eat and then watched TV for a while. Me, Myself & Irene was on. I left soon after the movie. Aaron walked me out. We said we'd do something on the weekend. We kissed on the stairs and I left.

"Y'know ... maybe I don't have to define it right now. I like being around him. He makes me laugh. He doesn't piss me off. That's a good thing!" I thought while walking to the subway.

This guy was playing a really beautiful song. Just strumming his guitar as I stood there waiting for the train. Something about searching for a love or so and 'getting old'. It was just really nice and made me think even more about not having to define this thing with Aaron. And for once ... I'll be patient. This other guy was totally absorbing the song. Our eyes met a few times and he was looking right into me. He was cute but it didn't matter. The train came and my soundtrack was drowned out.

I got back at Grand Central and waited forever for the 7 train. Like over an hour. I left Aaron's after 11. At 12:20 ... I was still waiting for the 7 train. People started getting ugly. And the shuttle to Times Square wasn't running. More waiting. People really started getting ugly. This one guy started arguing with someone and yelled, "Fuckin Mets fan!" If the train didn't get there when it did ... I'm pretty sure some would've resorted to cannibalism.