The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Power Walking

We all forget things. But power walking? This has to be a first.

It’s a Sunday in Clinton Hill and I manage to catch up with a fast-moving Jeremy Saber on the sidewalk.

“I take my turns wide so watch out when we get to Clinton,” he says.

Saber explains to me his predicament.

“It’s not rocket science, I’ve just forgotten how to stop power walking.”

Saber is in his mid-40s, in moderately good shape, wearing a grey GAP sweater, and blue Adidas track pants.

“I’m thinking if I just focus hard on what it would be like if I stopped, then I’ll remember.”

My right foot starts to hurt — I definitely wore the wrong shoes. Saber notices my slight limp.

“That’s a planters wart. I know that limp anywhere. Gotta see a dermatologist. Listen I’d love to do this interview on a bench, or over coffee, but…you know…I can’t.”

And then, there’d be no story.

“Yeah, my feet are getting sore too,” he says, “I’ve been out here now for 5 hours. I’m worried I’ll go into the night.”

I decide to try something. I lunge into Saber with all my weight and throw him to the ground.

Saber takes a sharp inward breath and holds his elbow. He looks up at me like a hurt child.

“You scraped it!” he says. Then, with a sudden clarity of mind, “Wait, I’m…not…power-”

Saber trails off as the realization settles in.

I help Saber up and he looks around in disbelief. Then, he sits on the sidewalk.

I give him a minute alone.

Then, after about five, I decide to sit next to him.

“All these hours, I had a lot of time to think. If I could forget something like how to stop power walking then what else might I not remember next time? What if I forget who my children are? Or where I live? Or how to breathe?

I suggest, maybe it’s just to do with power walking.

“Yeah, maybe it is.”