Old Men On The Bench

The two friends were sharing their usual bench when a jogger caught one man watching her a little too closely. She doubled back and demanded an explanation. Instead of arguing, he lowered his eyes and offered a tender excuse: she reminded him of his wife when they were young, back when she could make him forget everything around him. The woman hesitated. What had seemed intrusive suddenly sounded like an old man’s longing for another time. Her expression softened, and she leaned down to kiss his cheek before continuing along the path.

He waited until her bright running shoes disappeared around the bend. Then he nudged his companion. “That’s two kisses for me. You’re still on one.” The sentimental encounter was a private competition. His friend’s knowing grin supplied the rest: the woman had left believing she had comforted someone, while the men stayed behind congratulating themselves on another successful performance.