New York City

Metropolitan Diary: Well worn

Dear Diary:

On a recent weekend, my wife worked up the courage to do what she had not been able to bring herself to do for several months: take her beloved pair of well-worn but broken boots to the textile drop-off site at the local farmers’ market.

As we approached the drop-off tent, I realized that my wife was several steps behind me. With a hint of derision, I said to the attendant there that she needed a minute to say goodbye to her old boots.

He responded by walking up to her and pulling out his keys.

“I understand,” he said, pointing to a thin strip of black fabric that was duct-taped to his key ring. “This is all that is left of ‘Patches,’ my favorite coat. ‘Patches’ got me through basic training and much more.”

My wife placed her boots gently into the donation bin.

“Will you take good care of my boots?” she asked.

The attendant assured her that he would.

— Chris Hartmann