Eileen sees you approaching, takes a drag from her cigarette and grimaces, annoyed. ...Ugh. There goes my good mood. The hell do you want?
as I open my first beer of the day, I look at you out of the corner of my eye and reply "I don't want anything...!"I stay silent to stay calm and listen to the wind and the quiet, then I speak softly "and you? you're staying here why?"
(Nice attempt at not engaging me, but since you seem genuinely interested I might answer your question.) I just came here for some peace and quiet. This place is perfect for that. Not many people bother coming out here.
as I sigh quietly, I hold out my hand to show you a box of cigarettes, and I say "take it...it might help you out!"
(Huh. A random offer of cigarettes? Maybe this guy isn't as bad as he looks. I take one from the pack.)
Thanks. Look, about earlier...I didn't mean what I said before, okay?
I look at her and take a sip of my beer and say to her "I forgot, but hey, you were right to a point, I'm a guy who annoys people for fun....!"I look at the horizon calmly
(Well... that wasn't an apology. But it is what it is.) Okay. I'm Eileen, by the way. What brings you out here so early in the morning? Not many people are up and about at this hour.
I look at her and say "I'm Bruce, I'm here out of routine, I usually come here at the same time to relax and you, what are you doing here?"
Well, Bruce, like I said earlier... I was just looking for some peace and quiet. This place is pretty much my favorite spot in the city. No one bothers me here. (She takes a long drag from her cigarette, exhaling slowly.) So, what do you usually do out here at this time of day?
I throw away my cigarette which is finished and I say "Usually, I look at the horizon and I observe what makes me laugh....!"
Ah. That's... an interesting way to put it. Well, I guess everyone has their own way of finding peace. (She glances at him briefly before looking away.) So, Bruce... do you mind if I ask you something? It's just... well, there's been a lot going on lately and... you know how it is.
I smile and laugh softly "Where are we, no, I don't mind if you ask me a question, I'm listening!"I look at her and wait for her question
(Should I ask him about what he knows of the park or about himself?)
I look at her again and say softly "So... madame has lost her tongue!"I smile to tease her
(Goddamn it, now I'm blushing.) Fine, fine... here goes nothing. Do you know anything about this park? Like, its history or anything like that?
(I observe it and I say) what I know is that the park was created in 1920...and that before, it was called the Marc de l'Amour, a park that had lots of people and there are still but fewer than before!
Huh. I never knew that. That explains the old names carved into some of the trees here and there. I wonder what this place was like back then... (She smiles faintly, lost in thought.) Well, thanks for telling me that.
(I look at her and put a strand of hair behind her ears and I start to blush at what I do and I quickly say) uh.... it's not what you think it's just that I wanted to see your face....uh ..no....see your...anyway..
Well... thanks? (She hesitates.) Hey, since we're sharing stories and all that... do you want to hear one of mine? It's not very pleasant, but it might explain why I am the way I am.
(I look at her and sit down next to her, take her cigarette and say) so stop smoking and tell me your stories about yourself, I would like to know, because you intrigue me....
Okay... Well, you should know that my real name isn't actually Eileen. It's just a nickname I picked up somewhere along the way. My parents named me something else entirely. (She takes another drag from her cigarette and exhales heavily.) And before anyone asks, no... I won't tell you what it is. That's my little secret.
Anyway, where to begin... I guess it all started when I was really young. My parents weren't very nice people. They didn't care about me at all. All they ever did was use me as a bargaining chip in their stupid fights. Whenever one of them wanted something that the other wouldn't give them, they'd threaten to leave me with whoever had it. It was horrible...
They even tried to sell me once. Can you believe that? They thought I was worth more money than they were arguing over at the time. Fortunately for me, someone in the foster system found out about it and stepped in before anything really bad happened. They put me into a group home until I turned 18...and then I went to live with my grandmother. She's the only person who ever really cared about me.
But things didn't get much better after that. My parents never stopped trying to find ways to make my life miserable. They spread all sorts of rumors about me, and most people I knew at school believed them. Eventually, it got so bad that I had to switch schools twice just to escape the bullies they sent after me. And then...well, there were other things too...things I'm not really comfortable talking about right now.
Anyway, long story short...I learned pretty early on that I could only rely on myself. And once you think like that for too
(I look at her and give her a warm hug) I understand... I've been there too, do you want me to tell my story?
Thanks... (She leans into the hug briefly before pulling away.) Yeah, go ahead. I could use something else to think about besides my own problems for once.
(I look at her and I say) ok....I start (I breathe deeply and I start to speak) when I was little, my parents loved me more than anything, gave me what I wanted and needed, but I didn't abuse it, but one day, my parents had a car accident and I was with them, I was 5 years old, when I found out that my parents were dead I lost it, I was so sad, it was a woman who adopted me, my mother's and father's friend, she was single before and I protected her then she found a guy and I have lived alone since I was 17, I was a guy who was normal, neither ugly nor handsome, people harassed me during my studies but hey....that's how life is!
(She listens intently, occasionally nodding along as he speaks.) That must have been hard... losing your parents like that. I can't even imagine what it would feel like. At least you had someone to take care of you afterward. Not everyone is so lucky. (She falls silent for a moment, lost in thought again.) Thanks for telling me that.
Well... at least now we know each other better. Maybe this park visit wasn't such a bad idea after all. But... I should probably get going soon. I still have some things to take care of before work tonight. Do you want my number or anything? Just in case you ever want to talk again or something?
(I look at her normally and say) uh....yes of course...I'll give you mine first and I'll take your number! (I give my cell phone so she can write down her number)
Okay... here you go. (She hands him back his phone.) If anything ever comes up or if you just want someone to talk to, feel free to call me. I might not be the most approachable person in the world, but I promise I won't bite. Hardly anyone does these days. (She smiles weakly and stands up, brushing off her pants.) Well... it was nice meeting you, Bruce. Take care of yourself out here.
(I look at her and quickly say) uh...wait...I...I would like...that...no, never mind...come home safely, it was a pleasure meeting you too! (I turn around and open a bottle as I leave)
Okay... 'bye, then. Take care of yourself. (She waves goodbye before walking away, disappearing into the trees.)