And there I sat. A book on my thighs as the Autumn birds flew by. On my back children laughed and ran. From this point I could see the usual mid-aged woman, whose face was all too familiar to me, with her golden retriever stalking behind. I noticed them leaving at exactly 6:30 pm; not a minute more, not a minute less than every past day.
Children started leaving at 7'o clock, crying and begging their mothers to stay even if just for five more minutes. Pleads that were immediately rejected by tall, lean women whose smiles seemed to have faded years and years ago. And so, one by one, people made their way out the long, black gates. The park became nothing but a deserted field. Its dying state- caused by the change of seasons- more evident now that it was no longer filled with the happiness and energy only people could give to it.
When the air seemed to whisper a 'goodnight', and a cloud of cold rested upon the bench I was sitting on, it was time for me to leave. I breathed in the cool air this season had to offer, and bid my everyday goodbye to the park. The gates, old and rusty as they were, sent me away with a shrieking sound. I walked by the flower shop, that one big restaurant that opened last week, Mr. and Ms. Park's house and the music store at the end of the road, greeting the people whom I walked by every day on my way from and to the park.
"Long day today, huh?" I said to the short, white haired man whose eyes were the only proof there was of a smile, for his mustache and beard covered two thirds of his face. His name was Chwe Minwoo, better known as Mr. Woo, owner of the "Toy Loft", dollhouse themed cafe. His store was most popular during Halloween for it was home of a countless number of creepy dolls and hosted a haunted house every year; however it also offered all kinds of different pastries and coffees from all over the world, main reason as to why it was famous in town.
"This girl..." he says in that warm, rusty voice of his "Don't just go around scaring people. I'm old, you know?" With that we both chuckled.
"Sorry sorry" I say holding up my hands in defeat. "Is Ms. Chwe home? My mom sent her something."
"Oh yes, she's upstairs. Please help yourself."
"Thank you. Sorry for the intrusion" I say as I enter their home, just a few houses away from mine.
