There he is again. Same time, same place. Doesn’t this guy have someplace to be. Probably not. Look at him sitting there without a care in the world. Sitting there in his faded jeans and scruffy high tops. I wore those shoes when I was in 2nd grade. Grow up already.
Every day, he is just sits there, relaxing. Reading his paper, smoking his cigarette.
“I hate you.” I whisper to myself.
Because, I come here every day, too. But, my demeanor is far from relaxed. I am pretty much in a constant state of panic because I am looking for a job. And have been since I graduated two month ago. Pounding the pavement everyday wearing this uncomfortable outfit void of personal style. But, this is what I am supposed to do.
I scour this paper daily for a job. At this point, I would do anything. But, there is nothing out there. Oh, wait. Here’s something. Wanted: Printer Repair Man.
That’s it. That’s the perfect job for me. If I hadn’t have gone to freakin business school for four freakin years. I am going to be living with my parents forever. I will be 30 years old. Still living in my childhood bedroom. Reading my diary where I portrait my future life as one with a husband, career, children, dream house and a perfect 4 carat asher cut diamond solitaire ring.
You see, this is life’s cruel little joke. Go to school, get an education, find a job, have it all. In that order. No one told me that most of the time, it doesn’t happen like that.
And this one here. He probably didn’t even go to college. He’s probably one of those laid back, go with the flow kind of guys who will never be successful at anything. And the worst part is he probably doesn’t even care. I could never be like him. Or, could I.
I could. I could take his lead. I could sit on this bench all day. With no worries. No problems. I am going to do it. If he gets to do it, why can’t I.
“Hello,” he says into his cellphone.
He has a cellphone. How does slacker boy afford a cellphone?
“Yeah, I am in the park. She kicks me out of the room for a couple hours each day.” He says.
Yep, even his girlfriend can’t stand to be around his laziness.
“There is nothing more they can do for her.”
Is he crying?
“If you want to see her, you need to come soon,” he said, “I gave up everything to spend these last couple of months with her.” He pauses, “Yeah, it was worth it.” He hangs up the phone whips his eyes and smiles at me shyly.
I said the only thing I could think of, “Can I borrow the classifieds section?”
Read more stories based on this photo and 5 words at Writer Wednesday Blog Hop.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 