An Anthology Of Me

Small Talk

I sat alone on a park side bench. It was a nice day, the sun was out but there was just enough shade that the sun wasn't burning my skin.

I Just spent time watching people pass by, or looking at the clouds. Not particularly thinking about anything just letting my mind wander.

A middle aged looking gentleman approached me, he looked familiar but I'm positive we've never met.

"Mind if i sit with you?"

"Oh. No, not at all, go ahead."

He dusts off the seat with his hand and takes a seat.

He was wearing a neat black suit and tie. Probably some office employee, or a lawyer or something. I'll just listen to some music to make things less awkward than us sitting together in silence.

As I reach into my pocket to grab my headphones, I can see him fidgeting in the corner of my eye before he suddenly faces me.

"Nice day today, isn't it?"

"What? Oh, yeah. I guess so, yeah."

I didn't want to be rude and just suddenly put on headphones, so I looked around the park for a bit. Watching the kids running around playing, and some people walking their dogs, or just going for a walk.

"What would you do?"

"Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I'm just kinda nervous. I'm just going through a lot right now and... I could really use some advise."

"Advise?"

"Yeah, do you mind?"

"Ummm... sure? I mean, I'm not sure if my advice will be any good but sure."

"Thanks."

"So... what did you want to talk about?"

"My dad died."

"Oh, wow... Ummm... My condolences."

"I was just at his funeral, actually. It's... been pretty rough."

"I can only imagine."

"We didn't really get along, my family and I. But they've always been there for me, you know?

We would always fight and argue, but I knew they really loved me.

Do you get along with your family?"

"Not really, but I guess we're pretty normal I guess."

"Do you still see them?"

"Sometimes, I visit every now and then."

"I hadn't seen my dad in years before today. I guess I won't get to see him much after this."

"I'm sorry."

"It was just so sudden. I knew he'd go one day but... I never got to make proud of me... Or show him I appreciated everything, even though I'd always yell or get mad."

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small metal flask, based on all the shows and films I've seen it probably has whiskey or something in it.

He screws the cap off, then takes a swig of whatever is in it, them lets out a sigh. He then looks at me and offers me a drink.

"No, thank you."

He shrugs, screws the cap back on, and puts the flask back in his coat pocket before continuing the conversation.

"Are you close with your family?"

"I guess so."

"What's that like?"

"It's nice I guess, a bit annoying though."

We both chuckle a bit, then a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

"Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Not being closer with your family?"

He pauses for a moment, and then leans back on the bench and looks up to the sky, like he's searching for his answer somewhere in the clouds.

"I mean... I think it would be nice, if my family and I could have been closer. But, no."

"Why not?"

"I like who I am, I'm grateful for everyone in my life, so... I wouldn't want to change anything. Because if I did, maybe I wouldn't be the same person I am today."

He suddenly jumps up off the bench and then turns around and looks at me.

"Thanks."

"Don't know what I did, but you're welcome."

"Sometimes being there to talk, can help someone sort through their problems. See you around."

He turns around and starts walking towards the exit of the park.

I hope he feels better soon. It's been a while since I've called my parents, maybe I should give them a call later if I remember to.

"What a strange day."