A Chance Meeting Of Two Lonely People In the City Park. Short Story

Laura was a young woman twenty four years old. She'd worked at the local hospital in medical records since graduating high school. She'd dated a few times but never seriously interested enough to make a commitment.

After work she usually went to the city park to sit and read until sunset. People, young and old passed by without looking her way. It wasn't that she was unattractive, she was beautiful in a sweet sort of way. She usually wore her waist length red hair pulled to the side and tied with a ribbon. She didn't need much makeup, she had naturally rosy cheeks and pinkish lips. Her dark eye's were kind and gentle.

Laura was lonely and the first to admit that she would like to meet a gentleman who was kind and would treat her like the lady she was, but day after day she sat in the park unnoticed, not even the squirrels or birds appeared to see her.

She usually spent her evening's sitting and reading on her favorite bench. It was a Saturday, her day off, so she went to the park after breakfast. She walked slowly with her book tucked under her arm, feeling certain, it would be another uneventful long day.

When she reached the park she was surprised to see a handsome man sitting on her bench. She was uncertain what she should do. Should she find another bench or should she be brave and sit down beside him? As she was mulling over the question she was pleasantly surprised to hear him say, " I know I have your seat, but hopefully you don't mind? " She looked up to see a smiling, somewhat mischievous look on his face. She thought, " How does he know I come here everyday, and how does he know it's my bench? "

He noticed the confused expression on her face, and quickly attempted to explain. He told her that his name was David, and he too, had been coming to the park daily. He had a favorite bench too, but it was on the opposite side of the park. He told her that he'd noticed her everyday and wanted to say, " hi ", but she always had her face buried in her book. He also told her that she appeared as lonely as he was, and their book's were just a way to pass time alone. He told her that people passed by him too. They were always in a hurry and rarely spoke. Their situation was so similar it struck them both as humorous, and they laughed together.

She listened as he told her about himself. He was a stock broker who worked in a small office uptown, and like her, had never had a serious relationship. She looked at him and thought, " Where have you been, you good looking dude? " He told her that he'd watched her from afar daily, but just today, picked up enough courage to approach her.

David took her hand, and they began to walk toward his bench. On the way they passed a park trash can, simultaneously both tossed their book's inside. They laughed out loud when they read both titles, " How to approach the unapproachable and make a lasting impression. "