The Way Home
Copyright© 2013 by BarBar
Chapter 4
(snap) (thunk) (click-click) (snick) (traffic) (voices) (birds)
"You're early, today." The blind man is back on the bench.
"I am?" I glance at my watch in confusion.
"A good half hour earlier than usual. Surely you don't have to be in such a rush today."
"My watch must be wrong."
"I'm sure it is. Come, sit beside me on the bench."
Today he looks a little more casual. Black jeans and a windcheater. His erect posture makes the outfit look more formal than it is.
He pats the bench beside him.
I hesitate. Something doesn't feel right.
"I assure you that I am right. You are here much earlier than usual."
"I believe you. I – I..."
I look around.
"I'm here too early. I don't understand. My watch must be wrong."
"It happens."
He patted the bench seat beside him.
"Come and sit. Your daughter attends the school across the park, doesn't she? They are still in class. I haven't heard the bell yet. Come, sit beside me."
I still hesitate.
"Is there something wrong with the bench? It is dark green, I believe. Is it not safe or something?"
"No, no, it's not that. That park bench has a lot of memories for me."
"Oh, really? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of anything bad."
"Not bad memories. Good memories. Many good memories."
"Why don't you sit down and tell me some of your good memories about this dark green bench in Memorial Park. You can help me with my drawing at the same time."
I sit beside him and look out at the park. Memories – so many memories.
He thrusts his sketch pad at me. His line of multi-coloured trees have been joined by a twisting yellow path and a purple park bench.
I don't know what to say? Should I tell him about the wrong colours?
He seems to sense that I see something wrong. He presses me and I tell him he's used the wrong colours. Once again he hisses with annoyance. He turns to a fresh page in his sketch pad and hands me a box of pencils.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.