He stood in front of the door, his hand on the handle that was worn with age. He breathed, once, twice, three deep breaths. Now feeling calm he straightened the lapels on his jacket, touched his hair briefly and opened the door. The breeze caught him, played with his tousled hair and he put his hand up once more. He was quickly surrounded by the smell of cut grass and he felt the warm sun caress his skin. Looking down he noticed his shoe lace undone, he knelt to tie it. Almost as soon as he dropped his gaze he heard a voice, that voice, her voice. His best friend, travelling companion was there in front of him; after a three month hiatus that felt like forever, they were together again.
'You came then?'
He stood, toothy grin plastered on his face, only she would begin a conversation like that. She had all the social graces of an ally cat, but he did not care. Standing straight he looked at her, squinted a bit but continued to smile. This one was special, of all the companions he had had, she just got him, she was in the right place at the right time. Her blonde hair swayed gently and she stood in her customary position, her head slightly down but looking at him from beneath those thick lashes, hands stuffed in her jeans pockets. He hadn't said a word, didn't know what to say, he was just glad to have her back with him. She looked at him in wonderment, slightly smiling to herself, obviously laughing at him and his lack of words. She gestured around her with her hand, for the first time he looked at his surroundings. A park, grass and trees and a meandering path, the sound of ducks and swans on the pond, the sun glinting on the metallic signs. She took one of his hands and led him to a bench and he gladly followed.
The conversation erupted between them like a blockage had been cleared from a fountain; no mere bubbling brook between them but a raging torrent like a river in flood. It was catching up and talking, joking and laughing. But it ended, they moved away from each other, he towards his blue door and she into the distance.
He sat down in the shade of his beloved machine, looked around and could almost smell her in here with him, see the many adventures and conversations played out before him. She would be back, he knew she would be back, he just didn't know when.