The Man from Brooklyn is a novella about leaving home, academia, and the Maine woods.
[Condensed for online publication — in this cut section, Cliff’s classes work like puzzles and he talks about why he and his girlfriend had decided not to have children, though it still pulls on him.]
Evenings were typically spent at home, researching or decompressing, or if when they could align: talking with his girlfriend. Occasionally a colleague would invite him to a relaxed home gathering, but mostly, everyone stuck to themselves.
However, on one unexpected evening, he found himself going to an Irish-Mexican fusion pub with Barney. They had exchanged a few words at lunch that led to the outing.
Although only October, it was getting cold in the evenings and they had even seen light snow. The pub was warm and reminded him of cocooning in spaces like this during grad school when the Buffalo winter was harsh. The college chef knew three people in the restaurant who were on their way out. They spoke like family to each other and then disappeared to their homes.
They sat at the bar. He imagined that Barney sat on that same stool when he came alone and so the comfort of a familiar space was created for him. It was also easier to talk without facing each other head on, but before they were able to say a word, the bartender came over.
“Hey Barney! How are ya? You brought a new friend, good for you.”
“You know things are always alright with me. Yep, this is Cliff from the college. He’s new, from Brooklyn.”
“I’m Elizabeth, named after the Cape.” She stuck out her hand and Cliff shook it.
“Sorry, that’s a type of cape?”
“Ha, no. It’s a land formation just south of Portland. My parents used to love taking us there. I grew up not so far from here.”
“Your mother was such a good friend to my Jean. Do you have any specials tonight, Elizabeth?”
“We’ve got lobster tacos and venison tacos. Both really good. Then the cod for the fish and chips is exceptionally fresh tonight. Sally brought it in earlier.”
“Let’s have one of each, I’m hungry. And a couple of Shipyards. Unless you’re a margarita guy, Cliff?” That made both of the locals laugh, and he considered that a margarita was either a city-boy drink or a feminine one. Either way, he went with it and snickered along with them as if he was in on the joke.
“Coming right up, Barney.” As Elizabeth turned to tell the kitchen our order and pour our beers, he felt a sudden and overwhelming sense of comfort like he hadn’t felt since childhood.
Barney’s large, old hands rest on the bar, “I shouldn’t have ordered for you. This is how chefs are. I get excited about the food,” then quieter, “I also like to order a little extra to help her out. It’s on me, though, don’t worry.”
“No, it sounds great and I’m happy to pay. I feel honored you’re showing me your special places, Barney.” And he meant it, but it also sounded twee and he wasn’t sure how to recover with grace and talk about normal things. Just then, a bunch of college students wandered in and grabbed a couple of tables behind them. A low male voice in the group queried without response: ‘So, margarita for everyone?’ before heading over to Elizabeth at the other end of the bar.
Barney chuckled, “So predictable…but bless them, trying new things all the time to eventually find their way.”
“Ha, yeah, that’s how I feel about them in the classroom. They’re actually a great group of kids.”
“I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I keep working here. Most colleges would just ask me to cut corners and save money, work on efficiency, that kind of thing. And I get it, I do. I mean, college is expensive! But food and drink — they’re a part of life, you know? It’s a part of their education, too, not just to be sustained to do other things but to learn about the food itself.”
“That’s impressive, Barney. And it shows in your work.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
Elizabeth came back with their order and there was less talking while they dove in. She lingered a little while to ask about Barney’s daughter and he recipricated by asking about hers, who was apparently home with a babysitter and loving her T-ball team.
Before she could leave to tend to a few new customers who had walked in, Barney snuck in:“Aren’t you going to ask her for her number? It gets lonely here in the winter.”
In embarrassment and without casting an eye in Elizabeth’s direction, directly in front of him, Cliff redirected, “I thought you loved the winter?” He hoped that somehow he couldn’t be seen if he didn’t look at her, like a child playing peekaboo.
“I enjoy my solitude. Plus I’ve got a few old friends, believe it or not.”
The man wasn’t sure about those supposed friends, but realized at this point, he had to address Elizabeth or it was going to get awkward. “I mean, I know where to find you, but maybe in case I need some local advice…”
“Ya just want to use me, eh?” she laughed and handed him the napkin that already had her number written on it.
The man smiled, unable to find any more words. They quickly finished up and left. On the cold walk home, he texted his girlfriend out of guilt and wondered if things could get back to the way they were when he returned.
To escape into a a world of ancient pines. To recall their use as the masts of ships, sailing into probable death preceded by adventure.
Torn by an inward battle of will and desire, Cliff ventured solo into the woods the following day. He wore an orange vest borrowed from Betty-the-barista who warned him about the hunters this time of year.
Once the road was no longer in view, he noticed a change in his breath. It came from deep in his belly, warming his entire body. He lacked the love in the exterior he was used to. It was as if it were being replaced by his own. Where had it been all that time? The trees seemed to bellow enigmatically — yes — and stand in solidarity with him, guarding him from the evils in his mind.
Challenges to his psyche came from nowhere, it seemed. He used to pin it on something or someone as the antagonist. Now he understood that only he could be the enemy to himself. The rest was a fabrication of reality. Others working out their own inner conflicts on him.
Now he saw — all this came from this space. This space within, connected deeply with all that was around him: the pines, the fresh air meeting in his lungs from the ocean and mountains, the nocturnal critters scurrying around.
He could name it now. It was love. Love was in the forest.
What sort of strange creature had he become here? Perhaps Maine had just got a hold of him. Perhaps the pines were intoxicating him, replacing culture with natural drugs that soothed him.
The movent of autumn’s winds should have told Cliff he was in for a change. Instead he was still focused on the past and future — both of which were life in Brooklyn. He had never walked through so many leaves at once. They weren’t blown nor matted down by cars and shoes and rain. The leaves held onto life — spreading dry shapes of resistance that crunched and broke like ancient pottery under his feet.
In Buffalo, he had tried to enjoy the surroundings to the city once or twice. Another classmate from the area brought him out for a hike once in that first October. They encountered snow and Cliff hadn’t been prepared. He was petrified. It wasn’t like the city where one could hop to interiors when desired.
In a flash, he heard an unmistakable gunshot. He had heard this when he lived on the edge of Crown Heights just after college. It had been a fortnightly occurrence. But here he recognized it as sport and possibly sustenance rather than gangs or drugs or the rage of the problems people faced.
Still, he was afraid. He displayed his orange vest like a peacock, making his chest as big as possible and attempted to announce his presence by voice as well: “Hello…”
Nothing.
“Hello!”
He heard laughter and decided to go back the way he had come.
The tall ship pines swayed and beckoned him to stay amongst them. He knew it was dangerous though, and so he scurried home.
To be continued…
This is so good. It is like intimate yet settling. Great piece.
I'd be terrified in that forest, with the gunfire and the hidden laughter. The tension builds!