Persephone’s Fall – Page 15
I like leaning out over the edge of the subway platform. It’s like a miniature version of standing at the top of my building, outside of the railing, with only the strength of my wrists and my ankles keeping me from being swept away by the wind. Then there’s the oncoming train, which is scary and exhilarating, all rumble and light in the darkness. I also like it because it makes Hades nervous.
You may notice a couple of recurring themes here.
I don’t normally like taking the subway. Cabs are generally cleaner, although not by much. And you only have to deal with one idiot stranger jabbering at you, instead of a car full. And you don’t get hit up for money. But Hades says it’s ridiculous that I’m willing to spend twelve bucks to get to the same place I could get for two bucks. So the subway it is.
It’s hot down here. Stuffy. Doesn’t smell so hot, either. There’s a guy taking a leak just inside the tunnel proper. I’m trying not to look. Not so much because I’m disgusted by what he’s doing — this is New York after all — but because he’s staring at me with a giant grin on his face.
This is the New York that Hades loves. Dirty and hot, stinking, smoking. It makes him feel like he’s a part of something. It’s the way he reconnects with society. Hades may have not been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he was a far cry from poor. I wouldn’t have known him otherwise. He doesn’t like to admit to that, though. That’s really the main difference between us. My wealth has never bothered me.
Hades was the only person in his family to turn down his share of the inheritance when his grandfather died. Nevermind that the old man was the one who was responsible for getting him into all of the best schools, all of the places that helped fill him with righteous indignation at his own position in society. He alienated a lot of his family doing that… posturing like that. But he earned some grudging respect, too. It’s been four years, and he hasn’t come to any of them looking for cash. He hasn’t even asked me for any.
