City life 2 -- vintage dealer

    The baby was sleeping on his shoulder as if the little creature was part of it. Somehow, I first had the impression the man was wearing a fur because the baby curled on a half of his chest with the head close to his neck, and it felt soft and natural. I know... a fur is not exactly the most proper, nor beautiful comparison with a baby, but-- like most times-- I got into a state of mixed feelings upon entering a shop with vintage items, and also I may have had a recollection of those cats...

    Those cats made of natural fur and meant to decorate a sofa, a coffee table, or a mantel... I mean... who would want a cat-like figurine that looks like a real one, and realizes it's not a live animal only when  getting closer and attempting to pet it, just to discover then it's hard and hallow...? The whole thing feels  creepy--I would jump back like burned... But the old ladies, the owners of a vintage shop that happened I had stepped in a while ago, liked them... Yeah, there is something with women, cats, and homey homes. Moreover, there is something about death and life in shops with old objects.... 

    My guy was fat, with curly grey hair, laid back and talkative, telling me he decided late to be a father. His prominent belly was just the ideal support for baby's feet, I noticed amused... I had entered his shop just to kill some waiting time because the place was such conveniently located near my train station. Checking out tables full of trinkets... but I was not interested to purchase, rather to get rid of things that I've gathered out of impulse, or not truly knowing what I wanted. As I am turning on the loop of my life, I focus on the essence of me, not the superfluous. And he seemed open to acquire stuff from people...

    When I returned after a couple of months, the baby was still on his shoulder, considerably bigger. I showed the man a couple of objects that I had, he scrutinized them with careful movements to not disturb the child, and in the end he wanted them all. I was pleasantly surprised as I had in mind the pickiness of other dealers. The little one could stand on his butt by now, and was visibly bothered and perplexed when the man put him on a chair, and wrote for me a hefty check. 

    My bag was magically empty and light. I felt free... To roam like a feather in the big city... yes, death and life...

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