In the Park

A story of finding love when and where you least expect it.

Word Count: 1446

This is a short story of finding love when you're not looking, and where you're least expecting love to strike. Many years ago, I experienced something similar; the memory of that day inspired me to write this fictional story of a new love.

After finishing high school, I discovered the person I was dating had been cheating on me. I was confused, to say the least. I mean, I thought we had something special. It wasn't special to her, or she wouldn't have been in the arms of another. At the same time, I discovered our relationship wasn't special to me, either. If it were, I should have been devastated, but I wasn't. I was mad as hell, but at the same time, I felt relief that it was over.

Yes, there was relief. I didn't know the guy she was with, but they seemed happy. Well, they were happy up until I cleared my throat and let them know I was there. Then they didn't seem happy at all. The guy looked like he wanted to run away, but to do that, he would have to run past me, and he didn't seem like he wanted to get that close. She didn't look like she wanted to run, but she did look scared.

I started to turn to leave, then stopped and told both of them, "It looks like it's over for us. I wish you both the best." Then I stepped out the door and got into my car. I just sat there wondering why I wasn't more upset and why I didn't feel like my heart was breaking, or my world ending. I sat and contemplated things and smoked a couple of cigarettes, then found myself thinking, she can't be too upset about us breaking up or she would have said something or come out after me. Instead, they're both still inside doing who knows what.

It was clear to me that what we had wasn't much at all, not for either of us. Still, we had been together for a few months, I should feel hurt, not mad, because she picked that bean-pole over me. That was it, too; I wasn't mad at her, I was mad because of him. "I need to think things through," I said out loud. I started the car and just drove in no particular direction and with no particular destination. It really didn't matter where I went; I just wanted to go someplace other than here.

As I drove, I assessed my feelings. I wasn't even mad anymore. I wasn't hurt, I was what? Relieved? Yes, I felt relief and like I had been set free. I found myself wondering if I had stayed with her because I didn't want to hurt her, after all she was a bit controlling and we didn't share anything in common. The more I drove, the more I found myself wondering how we had even ended up together.

After a couple of hours, I needed to find a place to stop. I was hungry; it was about lunchtime, and I hadn't eaten any breakfast. I didn't have a clue where I was. I had turned off the highway onto a secondary road and followed that for miles. I thought out loud, "I should be coming to a town pretty soon." But the miles rolled past without any signs of a town. By this time, I also needed a bathroom. I rounded a curve, and there was a sign announcing a state park to the left. I turned and followed the road a few miles to the park.

There were a lot of cars in the parking area, so I drove further down the road and pulled into the parking area for the swimming beach. There were changing rooms with showers, and a modern bathroom. I hustled out of the car to the bathroom. A few minutes later and what felt like a gallon lighter, I exited and took a look around. It was a beautiful day, and it was a beautiful park. The picnic area was pretty full, but over here, only a few kids were playing in the water.

I sat down at the only bench around, lit a cigarette, and contemplated what to do next. I was hungry, and the sign where I turned stated there was a town further up the road; maybe I could find some food to bring back and enjoy here. Again, I found myself a bit surprised that I wasn't thinking of her and the scene I walked into. "It should be haunting my every thought, but instead I'm thinking about getting a burger, some fries, and maybe a strawberry malt, then coming back here to enjoy them alone in the park, and I'm excited about it," I told myself.

I was so distracted with my conversation with myself that I didn't notice I wasn't alone anymore. Not until I heard a soft voice asking me if I was hungry. I looked up, "Huh?"

The very attractive young woman standing beside me sat down and repeated, "The food's ready, aren't you hungry?"

"Um, yeah. I'm starved." I stammered back, trying to understand who this was and why she was asking me if I was hungry.

"Okay then, let's go eat." She turned and started walking towards the crowd of people in the picnic area. "Are you coming?"

I nodded, got up, and joined her. As we walked, she was telling me different things about different people like I should know them. I didn't have a clue, so I finally asked, "Do I know you, or maybe I should ask, do you know me?"

"Aren't you here for the reunion?" She had stopped walking and was now facing me again.

"Reunion?"

"Yeah, the Johnson family reunion."

"Um, no.' I knew I was staring, but I couldn't help it; she was so beautiful. I felt like I was getting lost looking into her big brown eyes.

"Why are you here?"

She had stepped closer, and the smell of her perfume added to the spell I felt I was under. I told her I had stopped to use the bathroom and that I was going to go get some food, return to the park, and eat. Then, I have no idea why, but it felt like she had looked into my soul, and everything that had happened that day came bubbling up and out.

She listened, and after I finished, she seemed to be at a loss for words, then apologized, "I'm sorry."

"Why?" I asked, but I already knew the answer. So, before she could respond, I told her that I didn't feel hurt or bad, I felt good that it was over.

"Really?" She was looking into my soul again, or so it seemed.

"Yeah, I guess it wasn't meant to be," I answered, still mesmerized by her big, beautiful, brown eyes. The smell of her was only making it harder not to reach out and take her hand. I wanted to hold her hand, I wanted to kiss her sweet, red lips, my heart was pounding in my chest like it wanted to break out and go to her. "I should have felt like this with her, but I never did."

"Feel like what?" She asked.

"Did I say that out loud?" I was swimming in the sweet smell of her perfume and lost in her eyes; I stepped closer and was happy when she didn't move away.

"Tell me what you feel with me that you didn't feel with her." She was so close we almost touched, then she took my hand into hers. "Please, tell me."

"I feel my heart pounding in my chest, and I'm getting lost in your eyes. I want to hold you, and I want to kiss... "I didn't get to finish, her mouth muffled out the rest as we embraced and kissed.

It was a long kiss, like two lovers who had been apart for too long. The embrace was mutual, both holding the other close and tight. Then, the kiss ended, and she turned again towards the picnic area. Let's get some food, I'm starved. We can talk while we eat. I want to know everything about you, and I'm sure you'd like to know more about me. She had my hand, and together, side by side, we walked towards the group of people who were now looking intensely at us.

"So, what's your name?" She asked as we walked, "I'm sure everyone will want to know who I just kissed."

"I'm sure they will! My name's Tracy." She giggled. "What's funny about Tracy?" I asked.

"Nothing, it's just that my name's Tracey, too. I'm curious to learn what else we have in common." She smiled at me, and I knew my heart now belonged to her.