The Wheel

78. David

It was a bright sunny day. Beth and I were sitting on a bench in Chicago's central park, eating hot dogs and watching the ducks; people were passing us by.

"Have you ever thought what's going on in lives of those who are passing us by?" there was my question.

"Hmm, life," she laughed a little, stroking her long red hair. "Life as it is. Someone's been fired, and someone got a promotion. Ones are expecting their first child and others have three of them already."

"Have you ever wondered that maybe some men don't want to have kids at all but they are forced to?"

"No," she shook her head. "Look at them, they seem quite happy! What's wrong with that?"

"Who knows? Perhaps they have to wear a smile twenty-four seven."

Beth stopped eating her hot dog and her grey eyes looked at me suspiciously.

"David, what's going on? Why are you asking such strange questions? What are you so concerned about other people's life?"

"I don't know...it's just I have this question in my head all the time."

She kissed me and laughed.

"You know, maybe these people's life is a total crap, but I think it's only their problems. We need to focus on our lives. We have a lot of stuff going on, too."

"I think you're right. By the way, I don't have thoughts about leaving this city, changing the name, surname and so on anymore. It seems like the realization hit me that I was making a big deal out of it."

"What changed your mind?" she asked, smiling.