People Watching
Living in a small town limits the number of places people can gather. Driving down the road towards my destination proved to me the lack of variation my town has. While surrounding cities are known for their downtown areas, I live in a city that is made up almost completely of gas stations and strip malls. I was very anxious to get out of my town and into a new atmosphere. As I sit on a bench in downtown Royal Oak I am prepared to see people from all spectrums of life going about their business. It is noon and the park is full of parents with kids, and a few elderly ladies walking around while entertaining themselves with small talk. I walk over to the swings and watch a dad pushing two twin boys who look to be having the time of their life. I can hear the yelps of the boys as Dad pushes them higher and higher. The father, who looks to be in some sort of executive business, has no problem getting his suit dirty to make his kids smile. Soon, a woman in what looks to be her mid thirties joins the group on the swing. She helps the man push the other boy, but after five minutes the boys hug and kiss the man and walk away with the woman. As they walk past my bench I am clued in on what has just happened.
"Mom, Oh my god! This is exactly what I want. A taller man is leading the group of five in a small discussion of "The Great Gatsby". The mom looks almost hurt that her daughter is lashing out because of a leather coat. From the smiles on the men's faces, they wish this time would never end. My day in Downtown Royal Oak has shown me many different types of people all brought together in the same town. As I walk in I immediately realize the attraction, because the coffeehouse gives off a low-key bar vibe with added comfort. After a half an hour of playing, the game ends with the younger of the two men winning. "You taught me everything I know, same time next week?" The winner asks. As I look thru the many racks full of a trendy, clubbing clothes, the echoing bell on the door rings and a mother and daughter enter with their hands filled with bags from stores up and down the street. "They are never satisfied," the mom says looking right at me. My eyes are immediately drawn to the colorful mural taking over the wall I sit beside. "No, I told you I wasn't buying you anything else! You said that you just wanted to look, we'll leave if you just want me to buy you more!" replies the now impatient mother. If Macomb Township ever does designate a 'downtown' area, they could look at Royal Oak for ideas, the unique atmosphere and variety of stores is something taken for granted by Royal Oak residents, and desired by town-folk like myself. The teenage daughter is dressed as though she may walk into a club at any moment, head to toe in black, with the only color coming from the bracelets lining up her right arm, as if a rainbow has reflected out of the sky onto her body. The men engage in small talk about everything from the possible war with Iraq to another shop down the street, never a break for silence.
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