Jack approached a sun-warmed bench and took a seat. His hand instinctively went to his brow to shield the late afternoon light that hung just above the horizon. It was one of those holiday weekends, he thought. One where everyone would be at the park. A perfect day for him. The faintest glimmer of a smile sliced across his lips as his eyes fell upon a couple seated in the lush grass a few feet before him. A large picnic blanket was spread beneath them, the two of them smiling and giggling toward one another. The man's hands were busily caressing the woman's forearm, a look of pure loving held within his gaze.
Jack closed his eyes, the man's beaming face held within his mind.
I hate this...I hate this...God, why haven't I just told her yet?
His eyes reopened and settled upon the happy couple. He looked to be in the midst of a fascinating story. Her smile practically made Jack's own cheeks ache.
I can't believe I cheated on her...after all that she has been for me!
He turned his attention away from them, toward another, more solemn woman seated upon a bench across the way. Her eyes were turned downward, a steady river of amber hair flowing in front of her face from a steady wind that rustled through the park. Again, Jack slid his eyes shut and thought about the woman.
I just wish that I had someone to talk to...why doesn't anyone care in this world?
Jack chewed at his cheek in discomfort. He watched her with open eyes now. She was picking at a non-existent spot upon her jeans.
Friends are sure hard to come by, I guess...
She had shifted her weight a bit in the seat. Jack again turned his attention from her, breathing in deeply as a particularly breezy gust caught at his nostrils. The smell of a distant grill hung upon the air, causing his stomach to turn in sweet agony.
Suddenly, a large, red ball struck his shin. His gaze turn downward curiously to see a small child approaching him with caution. He palmed the ball while watching the youth with a warm smile. Two wide eyes stared back at him, a deep fear clearly etched in the boy's expression. For a brief moment, Jack closed his eyes a second time.
He looks like daddy...
Jack stood and took a step toward the boy. He stumbled backward in response.
Daddy says he loves me, but why does he always hit me? This man is going to hit me like daddy!
“Hey, it's all right.”
Jack held the ball out for the child. With shaking, tentative hands, he took the object from him and ran in the opposite direction.
Someday, Jack thought. He could do something great someday. He knew that he had a talent that could change the entire world. He could be the very best interpreter, the most accurate ambassador, the absolute greatest inspector in any precinct. He could solve the most secret of mysteries without a single ounce of concentration. He knew he was destined for these things; he just wasn't ready yet. He wouldn't even know where to start. Where could he start changing the entire world?
His eyes fell to the bench across the way. The woman was still seated there, her hands now occupied with thick strands of her hair as she attempted to pull it from her face in the rapidly increasing wind. With a small chuckle to himself, he took a step forward and toward the woman. He wouldn't have to bear the burden of the world today, he thought. Today, someone needed another person to talk to; a companion to share their own burden with. Someone needed a friend, and that was a start. Besides, he was still hungry.
“Hello there,” he announced as he was now a mere foot from her.
As he watched her glassy blue eyes turn upward to him with a faint smile, he somehow knew that he truly was changing the world, if only for a single lonely person.
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