3-19 Character Story

It’s the end of the day and it’s been a rough one for Alley. What better to do than go to the park. It’s the only place she could go where no one would bother her. Even the park didn’t seem the same as usual. Alley saw a man sitting on a bench. It was the only empty seat near her and her feet were aching from the new shoes she was wearing. Alley usually tries to avoid meeting new people but she needed to sit. He was very jittery, anxious almost. Alley decided to sit but she wouldn’t talk to him.
As soon as she sat down she could smell him. It was an odd scent. Something she had never smelt before. Alley couldn’t decide if she liked it or not. He was an average man. Not big, not small, just average. His hair was brown, just like the fall leaves that covered the trees and the ground that surrounded them. His face was rather pale and he looked like something was bothering him tremendously. He wore a thick coat; a little too thick for this nice cool weather, Alley thought. He had to be burning up wearing that coat.
As Alley had decided earlier she hadn’t said anything to him. She really didn’t feel like interacting with anyone new and he didn’t seem like he was the least bit interested in the person that was now occupying the park bench next to him. His jittering was starting to get to Alley though. He was shaking his legs a lot and it shook the whole bench. Finally, he apologized. He must have seen the agitation in Alley’s face. Alley felt bad, “It’s okay” she said. He stopped.
They both sat quite again. Alley began to wonder about this man. She was generally not the least bit interested in strangers but this man seemed different. He was many years younger than Alley. Twenty five she guessed. Oh how she wished she were twenty five again. Then again, as she thought about it she remembered it’s a lot of work being twenty five. Establishing a career, trying to start a family, wondering if all of that is what you want for the rest of your life. No, she was just fine being fourty three. She’s learned a lot and glad she knows it now.
Alley couldn’t help but think that she could help this man in some way. She’d experienced a lot in her life and if her mistakes could save someone else the heartache why should she be so selfish?
“My names Alley.” It’s the only thing she could think to say. She was always bad at starting conversations. This was part of the reason she had so few friends. His pale face all of a sudden turned a little pink. “Ben” he said not looking at her.
“It’s a beautiful day. Isn’t it?” Alley said, trying to continue the conversation.
“Yes, splendid! I’ve been out here all day and haven’t felt like leaving. You just can’t pass up days like these. Even if you are busy. Every once in a while you just gotta check out for the day. It’s good for ya. Like a reboost. “
Alley couldn’t help but notice how much life had filled him all in that split second when she asked that question. He no longer was shaking, he lifted his head and he looked at her for the first time. His eyes were a piercing blue. They took her breath away. She could see, just in one glimpse of his eyes, all the hurt and joy he’d experienced. She had never seen so much in a person from one look before.
Ben began to talk about how important it is to enjoy the small things like a nice day. He talked about the relaxation that came from submerging yourself in these things. He talked about his job working with the FBI. He was incredibly intelligent for his age. Alley couldn’t believe all he knew. He didn’t have to tell her she could just tell that he was a wise man. As he described his job and all that he witnesses on a daily basis, the evil and horror, Alley couldn’t understand how anyone could witness all that and still have joy like he did. From the minute Alley started talking to him his demeanor changed. He was no longer jittery and he no longer looked sad. But she couldn’t help but wonder what was bothering him before and how his mood changed so quickly. She didn’t want to ask though. The life and joy that exuded from him was captivating. She had tried to offer her help and experience to him but he blew her away. He had so much more knowledge and experience than she would have ever dreamed of having. Not just from his job but simply from his life. He talked about his family and his late discovery of their importance. They didn’t talk to him anymore because he took advantage of them one too many times. Now, he sees how important it is to have family and he talked so highly of them. Even though he hasn’t talked to them in years Alley could tell he loved them.
Alley started to think about her mom. She hadn’t visited her since their last argument three years ago. Her mom was like Ben. Always telling her to slow down, take time to enjoy life. Alley never understood what that meant, until now. She’d been so busy with everything she didn’t even have time to realize she was miserable. Alley now saw all those long hours at her job and all the stress that went into it as nothing. She realized the only thing that matters and the only thing that should have mattered all along was that she enjoy her life and the people placed in it.
Alley’s mood about the day, and life had taken on a new outlook. It no longer seemed burdensome and everyone in it an annoyance. She now appreciated everything. She noticed for the first time the greenness of the grass, the crispness in the air, and the pleasant sound of the leaves crunching as people walked on them.
Suddenly she realized something; the key to all the knowledge that Ben seemed to have. Life is something to be enjoyed.