Chapter 4

Jim found himself sitting in the same place he so often came to whenever he needed to clear his head. The local park was the most relaxing and peaceful place he could find in Scranton. He especially loved it this time of year. The multi-colored leaves layered the paths and the benches of the park making it look like a perfect acrylic painting. It was more quite and serene during the fall which gave him the opportunity to clear his head. There were about six benches total in the park but after so many times of visiting, he found the perfect one for him.

He sat with a view filled with tranquility. In front of him was a pond that held about eight duck that he sometimes like to name depending on their personalities. To the left of him in the distance, were two very large, old willow trees sitting beside each other. He liked to think about how the willow trees would have grown up together, just as two friends would have. The tendrils of the willow trees would blow in the wind and almost act as if they were holding hands. That thought always made him smile for an unexplainable reason. To the right of him very far off, was a small play ground area for children. It was just close enough that he could faintly hear children scream and laugh while also listening to the ducks quack. When Jim was there, he almost forgot about the pain in his chest because he was focused on the wonderful details that God had created. Sitting on the aged wooden bench made Jim feel like he was a part of the acrylic painting. This was the only thing that made him feel prominent and essential. That might have sounded funny to anyone else, but it was sad that the only thing that could make Jim feel this way was by simply sitting on a bench alone.

People walked by in the path that divided him between the pond. Almost everyone he saw gave him a smile and that always lifted his spirits. He was just hoping that today there would be enough smiles. He was very unsure that he could forget about the text message that was still lingering in his phone. It was almost as if Pam's voice was on repeat in his head. "Just stop talking to me." Those words made him sick to his stomach.

Jim suddenly became distracted from his thoughts of Pam when someone strolled up beside him.

"May I join you?" an elder man asked, while pointing his wooden cane towards the space beside Jim.

Jim looked up to see about a 70 year old man wearing a weary face.

"Of course." Jim replied with a grin as he moved over to give the man more room.

"These bones of mine can't walk this whole park without taking a break." He laughed and sat down.

They sat together in silence for quite some time before the man said erratically, "This is my favorite place."

Jim was caught off guard. "Really? This is one of mine too. What's your favorite part about this place?"

"Hm, this is the park where I met the love of my life." He answered thoughtfully.

Jim wasn't sure how to respond, but before he had the chance, the man kept on.

"I met my darling, Rose, right over there." He pointed off to the bench that sat diagonally in the distance. The old man paused, reminiscing that day. "I remember it all like it was yesterday. We were both sitting at that bench when I asked her something that started it all."

Jim became interested in what the man might have to say. "What did you ask her?"

"I said to her, now what's a pretty woman like you doin' all by herself?" the old man's smirk at the recollection soon turned into a laugh.

Jim joined in. He imagined himself doing the same at that age.

"And I'll tell you this; I didn't get a good response back." The man continued. "She huffed on about how woman could be independent as well and that she didn't need a man in her life, that she was good on her own." He took another pause. Jim noted that as he talked about his Rose, he had a twinkle that shown through his eyes, and wondered if he, himself, did when he talked about Pam.

"She sounds lovely." Jim smiled.

"She definitely was."

"Was?" Jim gulped silently, and was cautious not to pry.

The elder rubbed his hand nervously on his knee. "Oh, I never did end up with Rose." His voice was coated with sorrow. "For years I was in love with her, never could get her to love me back. We became friends, but before I knew it, she was married to another man."

Jim thought his heart might stop beating from what he heard. I guess I'm not the only one. He couldn't believe it. Of course, with his luck, he'd go somewhere to get his mind of things, but all it would do was make him think about things more. He didn't want to end up like that. There was no way he was going to be an old single man who was still telling the story of how he fell in love. He didn't want to be hooked on Pam forever.

"Let me give a youngen like you some advice, if you don't mind."

Jim became curious to why the man thought he needed to give advice, but nodded anyway, encouraging him to go on.

"When you fall in love, don't let her go. It don't matter if she is engaged, married, or just has a darn boyfriend, don't let her go. The way I see it is it's better to be friends with the love of your life than to not know where she is or if she's happy. I made a mistake leaving Rose because she was married. I moved away and not seeing her everyday brought me more pain than seeing her with someone else."

Jim cringed and became nauseous at the thought of leaving Pam. The man was right. "Why don't you go look for her? She might not be with him anymore."

"Seems like a simple solution, doesn't it? I waited too long. About 4 years ago, Rose passed away, and later I found out that she was divorced. I should have never left."

"I'm sorry." Jim said solemnly.

"I learned a lesson out of it though. No matter how much pain the love of your life brings you, don't run away, because the pain will only follow. It's better to stay put, trust me."

"Did you ever love again?"

"Sure didn't. I did try to move on, but to tell you the truth; you have to want to be able to before you actually can. And I just don't want to get over her, even if she is gone."

"You've given me a lot to think about actually."

"I'm glad. Well, it's getting pretty chilly out. I best get goin'."

"Yeah, it was nice meeting you. Um, I never caught your name."

"The name's, Carl." He said standing up using his cane for support.

"Jim." Jim said as he shook Carl's hand. "Maybe I'll see you around here again."

"Maybe so."

With that, Carl left, letting Jim's thoughts return to the one person that he thought was missing from this beautiful painting.

Carl's advice rung in Jim's head reminding him of the conversation he had with Michael on the booze cruise.

"She's engaged."

"Pfft. BFD, engaged ain't married."

"Huh"

"Never ever, ever give up."

The cool fall air pierced at his cheeks as his mind filled with hope. Sure, maybe he'd never end up with Pam. But Carl and Michael were right. Just because she didn't want to be friends with him anymore didn't mean he should run away. Jim would rather see Pam every single day and not get to talk to her than to not see her at all. It would be easier to see her happy everyday than for him to be unhappy everyday without her.

Thanks for reading. I really need to know if anyone is interested in this story and if I should continue. So, please let me know! Thanks.