The Bench

Dedicated to my late friend Emille Laville

There are many benches all around; in the cities, in the parks…everywhere.

They say benches are powerful places, we can meet people while sharing a bench , have a moment of peace on it, we can read, listen to music, look at the view even if there’s nothing special about it or just sit and think.

Bench are and will always be important as well as meaningful symbols of share, peace and empathy.

All of us can be relieved of our own pain by speaking with a stranger on a bench.

It was a rather grey day, almost rainy, a young woman or maybe a girl, I’m not sure, she was looking at her feet while walking, she looked punk with purple hair locks.She looked really pale on the light of the day almost like a spectrum but now that she’s coming near, I can see she’s not a ghost only a normal girl.

the girl stares but what is she looking at? seems like she stares at the bench ; yes no Doubt she’s sitting on it now. the girl is sitting for a long time now or at least it feels like an eternity is she waiting for someone? Is she thinking? No absolutely not she’s observing. By now, an old man is slowly approaching, he must have been a tall man younger but now he has a stooped posture he is a thin man; I think he is 90 years old maybe less.

the man stops and then asks the girl: May I sit next to you young lady? The answer comes instantly: of course, wait a minute I tidy my things up and then you will be able to sit.

Now that the man is seated they are both silent and looking in their own direction, they look like each one is in their own universe.

The old man is indubitably hesitant to speak, then:

sorry to interrupt, do you mind if we chat for a bit?

Oh no not at all , what do you want to talk about?

I don’t know, what if we introduce ourselves ?

Okay, my name is Sonia. What's your’s?

it’s a really nice name mine is Paul

like Paul McCartney?

the old man is now laughing “Yes like Paul McCartney “

“Well Paul, what are you doing here ? If you don’t mind me asking?

The man stopped laughing and seemed to remember something awfully sad; the girl noticed it.

“ I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable didn’t mean it I’m really sor…” the man cut half sentence

“Don’t worry about it, it was a long time ago , I’m here for my late son, I’m a bit emotional because in a way I try to forget what happened to not be sad all the time, he died because of a car accident.

But what about you? Why are you here? A graveyard is not a place where people enjoy being,are you expecting someone?

“ I’m here for a late friend of mine, I come once a week to bring new flowers and talk to her about literally everything;she died 3 years ago, I miss her very much “

That was our first meeting. Do you remember Paul ? It was on this bench; now when I come here every week it’s not only for my friend but it’s also for you and your son. Sonia looks at her watch : sorry Paul now I’ve to go. I’ll stand up,stop a minute, watch the bench and leave as we have done so many times the last 2 years.

Good bye Paul, see you next week.