Lying on the Bench

Lying on the Bench

I dragged my tired body and went into a park. The glow of the sunset seemed dazzlingly bright. Although I lowered my head, the glimmer still hurt my eyes. I picked a bench by the lake and lay down. My bag was thrown aside. I drew out my lighter and lighted a cigarette for myself. My mind was immersed into the vision which tobacco brought to me. I used to smoke like a chimney, but I could not do that anymore because I lacked money. My entire life has been a trap. It has been driving me deeper and deeper. However, the cigarette is my faithful friend. He would never lie to me.

There were a few people in the park, an elderly couple with their dog, a father and his son with their fishing poles, and an Asian with his donut and coffee. They seemed very contented with their lives, especially the Asian. This young man looked about in his middle twenties. He wore black frame glasses, and he had some beard on his chin. I did not like this young man, but I did not know why. Probably, his happy face put me into a terrible mood. Suddenly, this young man glanced in my direction, but he immediately turned his head. It seemed to me that he was afraid of me.

The glimmer vanished into the night. I closed my eyes slowly because I just wanted to keep this peace and quiet for a while. My left hand still held the cigarette, but it was going to burn out. Unconsciously, I almost wasted a whole cigarette, and it was the last one.