Open Heart: MC X Sienna

A Night of Emotions

Not knowing what to do, I just walk out of the Funland. It's not fun anymore.

A few men, in their late thirties or early forties probably are smoking cigarettes and having a lively chat nearby. One of them looks at me and raises up his cigarette packet. He is offering you one.
I go ahead and greet them nicely. "You are a young lad but not too young to be here" one of them jokes as he nods towards the entrance of the funland and the other two laugh in unison. I smile "Well... then I should thank God that you guys called me over" and we all laugh. It wasn't even funny but still... The man who gestured me over gives me a cigarette and even though I don't smoke, I take it. He lights it for me and I take a puff.

"It's good, you have a nice taste" I say honestly. "Yeah, I'm trynna quit to be honest but been smokin from ten years and it is... well not easy of course. I'd not entirely blame my job for it but yeah, it is a reason that I started with it. It was a wrong way for me to find relief and relaxation." he says with a sad smile as he takes a puff.

"It is good that you are trying to quit, it is not healthy. I myself don't smoke"

He looks at me surprised and I understand immediately that what is he going to say "No, I needed this one, honestly. Once in a blue moon is fine"

"So what inspired you to quit?" I ask the man

"My daughter, she hates when I smoke. She is eleven and learnt eight months ago that smoking is injurious. I never smoked in front of her but once she saw me smoking outside with friends after a dinner party. She was devastated and begged me to quit" and then he chuckles "Said that 'Daddy I don't want you to die of lung cancer'. The kid said exactly what she learnt at school. I felt bad and..." he takes a long pause and then walks over to the nearby dustbin, specifically made for cigarettes. Puts it out and then throws it inside.

He returns and takes in a deep breath "She's inside with her Mom and younger brother... I felt like smoking and came out with friends. These idiot's kids are in there too" and he playfully punches the fellow beside him on the arm. I smile. Reminds me of my friend's group.

I need to appreciate this guy "You are a great Dad, Sir. I really wish I had a father who took care of my feelings like that. Your children are super lucky to have you". The man nods thankfully "I just try. I will keep trying till I quit smoking and you two should think about it too. Your son turns eleven next year and your daughter is thirteen, you'll get to hear the 'quit smokin daddy' very soon!" he says to both of his friends who laugh it off but this guy is serious about it.

"I'm Dr. Felix Alexander by the way!" I bring forth my hand.

He shakes hands with me "Pleasure! David Reyes, Head Detective LAPD"

"Say, FBI soon!" chimes in one of his friends.

David brushes him off "We don't know anything about that for sure... and this is my brother Jamal, that is Reza" he points towards the Afro-American man who gives me a fist bump and the man who had just teased him with the FBI comment who shakes my hand with huge enthusiasm.

"So what are you doing here in Boston?" I ask

"Vacation, my wife wanted it and the kids had holidays from school too so all of us friends planned the trip together. Boston is wonderful in it's own way" replies David.

David's phone beeps and he quickly sees it "Yeah... Dad duties call, boys!"

Reza puts outs his cigarette and throws it away "Jessica will kill me if we don't show up quickly" he mumbles to himself. Jamal however quickly finishes his cigarette "Now that it was lit, I couldn't waste it!" he shrugs. David smiles. The three men shake hands with me once more and then head inside to attend to their 'Dad Duties' as David said.