Still Life

Have you noticed that if you look at the picture for some time,  you see details that were not obvious at the first glance? The longer you stare, the more pieces of the puzzle are getting processed by the brain.

On Friday morning the traffic was heavier than usual. Cars were piling up at the intersections, jumping from one lane to another,  annoyingly tailgating cars in front. A dynamic world with sounds of engines, the smell of cigarette smoke and impatience of drivers was digesting the morning commuters for breakfast.

On the border of Toronto and its suburbs the red traffic light interrupted cars movements east to west and west to east. On this intersection the red light is pretty long. I am using a break to check surroundings. The traffic is moving more or less OK after the intersection; right lane is finally open after construction; a blue Lexus that was jumping from one lane to another ahead of me is now waiting in the left turn lane – relief. In the middle of the intersection,  right under the traffic light I spot a young woman. It is a green light for pedestrians,  but she is not crossing the road. Is she asking for money? The area is popular for baggers. No, that's not the case – she has a long hair dyed in expensive shade of pearl blonde, though the roots were not coloured in a long time, at least 3 months. She is talking to someone on the mobile phone and remains in the middle of the intersection. Then I notice an old beige Honda with an open hood and trunk. The car looks like those designed in the early 2000s. Do you remember massive popularity of the golden and beige cars?

I look at the woman again. She is nervous, she is trying to explain something over the phone. On her shoulders I see a poncho in abstract patterns of dull colors, that perfectly match with the gray morning and the heavy sky. 

The poncho hides a big stomach, she is most likely on the last stage of the pregnancy. That explains her dark blonde hair roots. Does she have any one to help her? Why was she driving such an old car? Should I stop to help her? That car had a lot in its life.  Hopefully, it is repairable. Losing a car when you are expecting a baby is tough. Does she have a family here?The traffic light finally turns green. Release brakes, slowly push gas to keep the speed in the limit down the hill, reach the tail of the traffic on the next intersection. News on the radio switch my thoughts from the girl to the upcoming election .  Life move on. And only the dashboard camera will keep the image of the pregnant young woman with a broken car.