It had been a long day at Timeless Treasures, the antique shop where I work. All I could think about as I trekked through the rain was curling up under a blanket on the couch and turning on some reality TV.

Just a little further, I thought to myself. Beyond my umbrella, I could see my apartment building, the Arconia, looming in the distance of the New York City landscape. My other hand was filled with a large paper bag of several knick knacks and a couple pieces of vintage clothing I found during my work day. I spent most of my walk back from the subway trying not to let the bag get knocked out of my grasp by the many shoulders I bumped into on the busy sidewalk.

Finally I approached the building's gates. I entered and crossed the courtyard into the lobby. I stopped off to the side of the door to set down my Tchotchke bag and close my umbrella. It was at this moment that the building manager, Bunny, skulked by, looking me up and down as if I were a pig being judged for a prize at a fair.

"Hey, Bunny," I said giving a small wave as I shook off my umbrella over the entry carpet.

"Hello, Wendy."

"Whitney, actually."

"I'll try to remember that," she said with a non-committal tone.

Bunny wasn't a bad person, she just liked things done a certain way and put up a strong resistance to change. Especially when it came to her residents. I suppose she looked at some of us as inconveniences, but she had a handful of favorites who somehow found their way to her good side.

I watched her shuffle away, scanning the rest of the lobby for evil-doers. Scooping up my bag with my free arm, I made my way towards the elevator.

My ride up to the sixth floor was mostly quiet despite two other people in the elevator with me. One being a man with white hair and a fedora, and the other being a short man with bright eyes and a long scarf, worthy of making the front cover of Vogue.

"I'm just saying, this next episode needs some flair," scarf guy had said upon entering the elevator.

"Oliver, I told you, I'm exhausted. No more podcast talk today," fedora man said. Scarf guy, or Oliver, relented to his friend's request. The rest of the ride was was still and soundless.

Upon hearing the ding! of the elevator arriving at the sixth floor, I excused myself past the two men and sauntered down the hall to my door.

As I approached, I noticed one of my next door neighbors also walking to his door. I didn't know any of my neighbors very well, and I hadn't spoken a word to this guy as of yet. I could see him doing something on his phone, and then reaching for his keys.

I stood before my door with this tall, dark-haired man to my left. I set my bag of treasures down in between us so I could fish my keys out of my purse. Before I could reach them, I heard the crumpling of paper. As I looked down, expecting to see my bag toppled over, I was surprised to see my neighbor on the ground replacing my artifacts into the bag.

"Oh my gosh, thank you," I said.

He stood up without a word and handed me the bag. For the first time, I saw his face. Really saw it. He had a sweet look about him, unassuming and shy even as he towered over me.

I waited for him to say something, but he only looked at me.

"I don't know if I've ever introduced myself," I said. "I'm Whitney."

Again, silence. Then, he began making a few quick, specific hand gestures. That's when it hit me that he must be deaf.

"Oh! Oh, okay, hang on," I said and frantically pulled out my phone and opened the notes app.

I'm Whitney ...it's nice to meet you :) I typed out and flipped the phone around to show him. I looked up into his eyes to gauge his reaction, hoping to all things holy that he wouldn't be offended by my lack of ASL knowledge. To my surprise, he smiled as he read my note. Then, he took the phone from my hands and began typing.

I'm Theo...it's nice to meet you too :)

A giant smile spread across my face. He turned the phone back to him and started typing again.

Did you get that stuff at a garage sale? he typed, alluding to my bag. I took the phone back and wrote my response.

Haha no, I work at an antique shop. It's called Timeless Treasures.

I like antiques. I might have to stop by sometime.

You should! It's a great store.

I expected him to take the phone back, but for just a moment, we stood there taking each other in. It was a conversation style I'd never experienced before.

Just as our silence almost became awkward, he took the phone back and resumed typing.

I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm meeting my dad for dinner and I need to go change clothes. I'll definitely come by your shop though!

Sounds good to me! Have a great night, Theo :)

He gestured to me in a way that said "You too!" Then, we both fiddled with our keys momentarily and slipped into our respective apartments.

I closed my door behind me and sat down on the couch. My insides felt warm, as if I'd just had the most meaningful conversation in my life. And in a way, I had.