The Lonely Man on the Side of the Road

There he was just sitting there on a rock that was placed between the two of the busiest lanes in the city. It was a bright sunny Sunday around 2 pm. He was just sitting there, head hanging low. Sad? Very  much so.

He had no one. No family, No friends. No job. No home. Nothing. His parents had passed away and he was a lonely child. He had lost his home and family due to a drinking problem he had. He was no older than 50 but that wasn’t what his face and body told the passer-byers. He looked much older due to the sun and all the suffering he had been through.

He just sat there on this hot sunny day staring at the cars rushing by and wondering whether or not he should just simply end it all. It would be quick perhaps a bit painful, but quick. All he had to do was jump in the middle of the street and for sure he would be hit not by one car but several because the vehicles were going by in such high speed that they’d be no time for them to stop. For sure he would be able to end all this pain and torture that he woke up to on a daily basis.

However, he could not let other people suffer. If he simply jumped in the middle of the road, for sure cars would crash into each other and other humans would get hurt and this he couldn’t bare with.

He remembered how much his wife and children suffered every time he had come home drunk and treated them very badly. He remembered how much his parents suffered on their death beds because they were so hurt with the fact that his only son was in those dreadful conditions. He had already made so many people suffer he couldn’t do it to a few more.

There was no way out. So, he just sat there and watched the cars go by. In each car there were people in different moods. Some were alone, others had company, some sang, some tried to text messages and simply glance at him as they passed by.

He closed his eyes and when he opened them again there was an older man sitting beside him.

“So, you’re thinking of ending it all?”

“Who are you? Where did you come from? How do you know what has been crossing my mind? “

“Who do you think I am?”

“Well to be out here, a crazy homeless old man.”

“Wrong.”

“Oh, just leave me alone.”

“Why? It seems to me like you need a friend right now.”

“A friend? You have got to be kidding. What have I to offer anyone in this state?”

“You have a good heart. I am sure you have a lot to offer people if you just open up to them.”

“Oh, please. Get lost. Do you see anyone stopping their cars to ask if I need anything? Besides, I don’t know you and you don’t know anything about me. ”

“You are right. There are no cars stopping to help you but I am here. I have always been.”

“Oh leave me alone.”

Having said this, he places his hands over his eyes and rubs them heavily. When he opens them the old man isn’t there any longer. He is perplexed. The sun must be roasting his brain and causing hallucinations or maybe it is the lack of water. He hasn’t drunk anything up until that moment. He decides to move on. He is not courageous enough to end his life so he should just move on.

He gathers his blanket and bag with all that is left of his possession. Where to? He decides to head downtown. He walks and walks then he suddenly sees a door and above it there is a sign that reads: Free food today! Come on in! He does just that, he goes in.

There was a long stairway to walk up and the light was a bit faint. When he reached to top of the staircase he was greeted by an old man who looked rather familiar.

“Hey! Aren’t you the man who was sitting beside me along the road?”

“Perhaps.”

“Are you playing tricks on me? Am I on some kind of TV show?”

“Do you want something to eat and drink or not?”

“Oh yes, please.”

“Go and sit yourself down and I’ll be with you in a second.”

There was only one table and two placemats. He sat down and set his things on the floor under the table. The old man brought in a tray filled with vegetables, rice and beef and set it in front of him. He ate until he couldn’t eat anymore. He also drank the crystal clear water. It was the best tasting water he had every come across.

“Excuse me sir. Who are you and what do you want from me?”

“I am sure that you know who I am. Deep down in your heart you know who I am.”

“You don’t look like anyone I know. I can’t place your face except from earlier today.”

“Well, are you afraid of me?”

“No, I feel quite comfortable here in your presence. But I am still puzzled.”

“As time goes by you will understand. Now if you’d like to you can wash up and spend the night here. No one will bother you and you can get a good night’s sleep.”

“I am afraid I won’t be able to pay you back for all of this. I have nothing to give you in return, just my gratitude.”

“I accept your gratitude. You have a great heart and I am sure that you will overcome this moment that you are in and things will improve.”

“This may sound crazy, and I really don’t know why, but I feel it in my heart that you are right.”

After taking a warm shower and putting on some clean clothes, as he lays his head down on the soft pillow, he exclaims: I know who that man is. He smiles and falls asleep.

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( Written: July 1, 2012)

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