Eddy

Another new character.

Unlike other people, he’s always happy, Gwen noted. She walked towards Eddy’s park bench. He turned towards her as she got closer.

"How are you today, Eddy?"

"Well, you know. The usual. Taking in the sights."

Gwen shifted her feet. She wasn’t sure how she felt about his dark sense of humor. “Oh? Anything good?”

"Yes, actually. There was this pack of squirrels. All chasing each other and whatnot. And I just stayed as still as possible to see if they’d get closer. Anyways, how’s about you?"

"I am fine. I just thought I’d stretch my legs before I get all cramped up in a plane."

"Oh that’s a good idea!" he said, tapping his cane on the cement walkway. "So you probably can’t be bothered to sit down."

"Don’t be silly!" she wanted to punch herself for letting her natural instincts kick in. "I…yes, but just for a bit. I’ve still got some packing to do."

"Glad!" Gwen took a space on the bench before he continued, "I’m surprised you came back."

"You know, old habits die hard."

"I do know. I pretty much need habits to survive."

"I can see that."

"Can you?"

"I mean, not actually…metaphorically. Like, oh you know."

"Ya ya, I’m just pulling your leg. Don’t get all flustered about it."

"I won’t," she saw both why she liked and hated him. She felt Eddy had a sort of ironic superiority complex. The reason for why it was ironic was closely tied to the reason for why he felt he was superior.

"I remember when you first sat next to me on the bench."

"I’m sure you do."

"It was a sunny day. The birds were chirping. The leaves on the trees were rustling. And you were panting like you just ran a marathon."

"Right, right. Even though it was just one lap around the pond."

"Though you’ve gotten better about that, haven’t you?"

"Yes I have." she remembered lying to him about how many laps and miles she ran. She didn’t think it mattered much. "Well, I actually probably should get going," she said as she started to stand up.

"So soon? Well, I wouldn’t want to keep you. Heaven knows I’m better as an anchor than as a sail." Eddy took off his sunglasses and wiped around his eyes. Gwen had never actually seen his eye in all the time that they had known each other.

"Oh."

"Sorry, hope I didn’t scare you."

'You didn't…I was just…checking my plane ticket.”

"It’s fine. You don’t have to lie to me."

"Right." She thought about some of the other lies she told him.

"Here, I’ll put the glasses back on," he did.

"You told me what happened, but I never imagined…what that would look like"

"Sometimes, I wish I knew what they looked like, but then I remember I did quite the job on them," he chuckled. "Anyhow, you’ve got a plane to catch and I don’t mean to keep you."

"Oh, you aren’t keeping me. I like our short chats. But ya, I’ll talk to you again when I get back, Eddy"

"Okay. See you around, Gwen!" he waved, in the right general direction, but not directly to her. She waved back. What are you doing? He can’t see that.

Gwen walked on through the park. I know he can’t, but it’s the thought that counts.

She got to the entrance of the park and checked her watch. Five hours. It’s the thought that counts? BS. Stop reciting things you learned in kindergarten.

Gwen looked back at Eddy. I’ll recite whatever I want to recite!

Eddy slumped in the park bench and faced a couple of squirrels. At least I don’t give the guy false hope!