triskaidekaphobia

triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13.

When I passed by a Starbucks last night, there was a long waiting line zigzagging from indoor warmth to outdoor coldness. Out of curiosity, I walked up to check the bulletin board at the gate. White Valentine's Day, time to share your happiness, it said. I took a second look at the waiting crowd. They did not look like happy couples or lovers, but more like bitter refugees from the other day, Friday the 13th, or the last one in February.

There is still one more Friday the 13th. In November. Dark forces of numerology. No wonder economists are pessimistic about the prospect of this year.