305

305 with the missing letter, that was my building number. I don't quite recall how long its been since the # 5 was missing or why nobody thought to replace it. I have lived in Brooklyn my entire life and decided to find the inner beauty of this neighborhood. As I walk off the train from the 3 line coming from the Bronx I see a group of guys standing in front of the Chinese restaurant. I walk on by them hoping to not make eye contact with any of them. The last thing I wanted was conversation, they all seemed happy. I heard a few weeks ago someone got shot, yet they were happy. Did they know that guy or did they become numb to death. Has death become so common that people smile through the lost? There is a strip of stores I have to walk past while passing them, the checking cash place is next. There is a line, and a homeless guy holding the door for whoever goes in. " Spare change anyone" he would say and nobody would give it to him. He was dark skin, his shoes looked worn out and they had holes in the front where I was able to tell he wasn't wearing socks. He had a light blue jeans that now looked of a dark blue and his shirt had food stains on it that seemed fresh. I walk to the supermarket Associated one of my favorites because its conveniently down the block from my building. The store has upgraded and its better looking and the workers are all nice and the atmosphere is friendly. I see a woman yelling at her child in front of the store her words got muffled as I chuckled at the face her son was making. He had a smirk on his face as if he didn't understand that he was in trouble, the word consequence seemed nothing but a word he had not a reason to know the meaning of. I saw two  female best friends walking they were both gossiping about some girl they didn't seem fond of " Her weave looks like Stevie Wonder did it " they laughed and quickly stared at me and went back to talking about her. I get closer to my building and as usual there is a bunch of guys standing in front of the lobby door. I don't speak to any of them but there all a familiar face. I never understood why hanging out downstairs was appealing to them but I never question it. I see a stray cat in front of my building and I try to get its attention, I love cats because I have one of my own. I always forget to take a can from home to bring outside I only ever remember when I actually see the stray cat. I go up to my lobby and one of the guys opens the door for me since I don't always have the key. One of the guys tries to ask my name, I tell him to be nice and all he says is hello and goes back outside. I see the same girl I see everyday who lives on the first floor I don't know her name and she doesn't know mine but we always say hello to each other whenever we see each other no matter what. The only conversation we ever had was her wanting to know what grade I was in and upon finding out I am in College she seemed so proud as if she doesn't hear that often from around here. She is older and I guess in a sense happy that someone isn't just sitting around doing nothing although that's all she appears to do herself.  I press the elevator to find that's its already here, I press 14 and I am now finally home.