She sat on the park bench and enjoyed the view. In front of her was a big meadow, beautiful old trees in the background the lake could be seen.  She did not hear the birds singing, but the smell of spring was in the air. Next to her was a tree with flowers that were dark pink and smelled sweetish. She liked that. She closed her eyes for a moment.

Someone sat down beside her. She looked to the side. A man, nice looking. Can’t he find another bench? The park was busy, there was no other bench nearby. This one was also popular because it offered such a beautiful view. The man looked at her. She felt uncomfortable. Many people here, she was safe.
She felt compelled to say hello. A short nod, a friendly smile, nothing more. The man smiled back. She took a magazine out of her pocket and started reading. The man just sat there. Looking. Isn’t it a beautiful view, the man said. Yes, she replied.

She wanted to be left alone. Why was this man here? It was noon, maybe he was on a lunch break? He works in an office near him. The outfit would fit. No, it’s not. She came here a lot during her lunch hour, but she’d never seen this man before. Maybe he was a park designer, got inspired by this one. He didn’t take any pictures. Maybe he had driven the birds away? Maybe he was a messenger, an emissary of something strange. She had definitely been watching too much television.

Maybe his wife had left him yesterday. And after the first shock, he realized this morning that his life was so much freer without her. He had got up, had a coffee and read the newspaper. It was unusual to be alone. But he had the feeling that he could breathe again. He opened the window and the air felt so good. All the bad, unfriendly and greenish air was pouring out of his living room and into it came clear, blue and friendly, now at least not unfriendly air. Why had the desire for peace become so great in him? He wanted to find a new companion, one with whom the world was beautiful again and not so… used.

Perhaps he met someone on a park bench today?

She looked at the clock – time to return to the office. She got up and looked back again. The man had got up, she hadn’t even noticed.

Weird.