Well the baby was at her grandmother's all morning so I thought I would knock this one out while I had the time.
Assignment 1: Special Place
There is a place near the fountain in Tippet Park where you can squeeze behind the rock wall. You have to climb over two pillars to do it, and then crawl several feet through the dirty underbrush to reach the exact spot. Once you are through it’s like a little hidden grove right there in the middle of the city. The thick moss that covers the ground provides a soft cushion to rest on, and the smell of the wild flowers and sweet grass that grows back there perfumes the air, taking away the thick smelling fumes of car exhaust and cheap street food. When you lay your head back against the rock wall, all you can hear is the sound of the fountain water rushing on the other side. It is the most beautiful place in the entire world…
Gene was having an awful day. I could see it in his eyes. He was sitting on the sofa, his gaze shifted towards the ground. He didn’t look up when I walked into the room. Usually he smiles. I knew he would need me to listen to his story even though I really didn’t want to. It wasn’t that I didn’t care; I’m just not very good with feelings. Gene is the one who can make things better when they are bad. The only thing I’m good at is making things bad in the first place. I lingered in the door frame for a moment trying to think of something I could do when Gene stood up abruptly. “I need to get out of here.” He said.
“And go where?” I asked.
“I don’t really care. I just need to go.”
“Ok.” I replied. I’m not sure what made me think of that spot in Tippet Park. It had always been my spot, my little secret escape. For some reason though, that was exactly where I took him. He didn’t say anything on the way there, nor did he say anything for a long time after we arrived. He just sat down quietly, leaning his head back against the rock wall. His eyes were closed tight; his breath grew calmer and calmer with each exhale. I sat soundlessly next to him, watching his face. Gene has such a funny face. His expression always seemed placid, even when he was upset. It was such a stark contrast to what I saw in the mirror. He was innocent and genuine. If anyone deserved to be happy it was him. I remember I was lost in thought, thinking about how much I wished I could find a way to make him happy when I realized it. I looked down and my hand was over his. He was holding it tight, squeezing it intermittently as he sat quietly by. My first instinct was to yank my hand away, but I didn’t. Instead I just leaned my own head back and closed my eyes tight. The sound of the water flowing behind the wall took my thoughts and fears with it as it flowed down and away from where we were. In that moment, he and I were the only people that existed in the entire city. In that moment, we were free.
I don’t go to that place behind the rock wall anymore…not without him.
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