Conversation

There's a park here where people who drink a lot hang out. I was there yesterday afternoon, because I happened to be passing by, and there were lots of ripe blackberries over by the pond. So I was picking and eating those berries.

Along came a man who chatted for a while. He was young, and handsome, and smelled of alcohol. He asked "do you have a family?" and then went on to say "I don't. I have nobody. I am all alone. It is my choice. It will always be this way." And then: "I hurt a lot."

I wish I had better words for times like this. The conversation haunts me.

#smallstories