The Men of Manhattan

9

It was a chilly Saturday morning. Martin and his companion decided it was a fine enough day to spend at the park. It was quite sunny for November that day yet the air was crisp and the land was  dusted with a fine layer of snow. The new couple watched families and couples sledding down hills, serenading on the frozen pond in their skates, they wished it could be them. The two sat on a park bench casually enough so that people would suspect they're only friends or good acquaintances. All of the sights of families caused them to reminisce about their lives.
"My mother used to take me and my five other siblings here all the time." Martin said.
"My... there were six of you all together?"
"Yep, three older girls, three younger boys."
"Well I'll be dammed, an even amount!"
"Yes. It was hectic. I had to share everything and since I was the youngest I was always bossed around by 'em. We didn't have much money either so my sisters and oldest brother had to work. Our father left when my 2nd youngest brother and I were in middle school. We were also the only ones that got a good education."
"I see. Do you still keep in touch?"
"No, not really. Most of them died."
"Died?"
"Two of my sisters died from health problems, my oldest brother was drafted."
"Oh my, I'm terribly sorry."
Bruno briefly patted Marty's leg out of condolence.
     "I do talk to my second oldest brother whenever I run into him. He lives around here. Though, we're very different people so there's not much we can say to each other. My youngest sister lives in Albany in some mansion with her rich husband. We hardly talk either."
"My, what a shame."
"I call my mother sometimes..."
The two sat staring at an airplane whizzing by, then Martin began again.
"Well, enough about me. How's your family?"
"Oh fine, just fine. It's just mom and pop and my little brother Howie... well, he's not so little anymore (hah) he's a sophomore at URI." Bruno crossed his arms and smiled from nostalgia.
     "I'm sure you're very close with him."
     "Yes, we are."
They sat in content watching the people walk by,
commenting to each other here and there. Suddenly, Martin jumped in his seat when he saw a familiar figure strolling near.
"He-Henry?"
Coincidentally, it was. Standing right in front of his sight, Henry spotted Martin's familiar face also. And when he did, he walked up to him without fear. Henry's face was very pale, there were dark circles beneath his eyes as if he hadn't had a decent nights rest since their quarrel.
"Hi, Marty."
     "He-hello."
"Why, you must be Henry! Martin has told me about you." Bruno said with spunk as he took out his hand, Henry shook it, weakly.
"I'm Bruno, a good friend of Martins."
Henry nodded his weary head in response.
"Mind if I sit?"
"Of course."
Henry sat down next to Martin. Martin squirmed slightly.
"So, you must be a friend from work?" Henry asked Bruno.
"Yes. I work alongside Marty. Th' old boy's very productive y'know— barely gets distracted by a single thing!"
"Oh, that's Marty alright, works like a dog."
     "Yessiree."
Marty looked up at Bruno with a look that said, "thanks for making this situation a bit less weird." Bruno smiled at Martin and simply nodded like the friendly man he was.

     A few minutes passed when it began to snow. It was a light and gentle snowfall. The three sat there in silence. But, it wasn't an awkward silence, it was a peaceful silence. They just sat and watched the scenery, inhaling the cool, crisp winds of autumn.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Henry said looking up at the sky. He was the first to speak after the few minutes of quiet.
"It is." Martin replied. While the only other sounds that could be heard was the faint sound of children laughing and people conversing in the distance.
"Well... I should be going."
"Already? Why don't we walk around?" Bruno suggested.
"No. I should leave you two alone. It was nice meeting you Bruno, Farewell." Just as Henry was about to get up, he slipped a note into Martin's coat pocket.
"Goodbye, Hen."
Henry looked at Martin in the eye. There was something sad and beautiful in those eyes— like great ancient ships lost at sea.
"Goodbye, Marty."
He walked down the white snowy path.