He may not have said anything, but his body language spoke volumes. A slightly built lanky young man had rapidly sprinted away from several concerned people. His face was bristling with rage and crimson with fury.
As he approached he plopped down with a thud next to the trunk sullen, shaking uncontrollably pounding a fist in his hands.
Listening, the man caught his breath and sat for a moment then began to speak. "Cherry, why do people have to die? Why do I keep forgetting this kind of stuff? Then when I finally do remember why does it hit me so hard?"
The man wrapped his arms around his knees as he began to cry not doubt grieving the past.
"It's crazy for me to be this upset over something that happened years ago. It was a different time and a different place. Why does it affect me so much?" his shoulders started to slump more towards his knees.
Cherry, as the man had dubbed him, started to wrap her limbs in the direction of the man to provide comfort, but not quite able to reach, letting a few pink blossoms fall.
After several minutes of stillness the man's head had raised as he leaned rubbed against her bark. The man moved his hand across his forehead as if trying to remove the image from his memory.
"Every time I remember, they all suffer. They shouldn't have to feel like they have to suffer along with me." He started removing the tears that ran down his face as the wind blew a little stronger.
The movement of the man had now turned softer and more kindly.
"I better get back before they are even more distressed than I already know they are," he said rising to his feet, as he slid his hand across her bark, then let it fall away. "Thanks, Cherry."
The young man parted pushing his hands in brown leather jacket not looking as sullen as he had been before. A securing breeze was issued in his direction.
Cherry had had several conversations in her life along this particular stretch of the road. She was the only tree for miles around. Some had come to her for the meaning of life, theories and ideas, many which conflicted with each other. But there was something about this man that Cherry would never forget.
Watching as the man approached the people surrounding van. They had quickly embraced him, Cherry knew he was protected. She waived her last goodbyes with the wind as the van disappeared in to the horizon.