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There's two elderly black men that meet once a week there at the bench. They play checkers. They have been meeting here for two years now. Sometimes one wins, sometimes the other. They laugh and argue over the game but its all in fun. Sometimes it rains or maybe its too cold in the winter time for them to be there but when the weather is right they return. There are friends from the park that come and watch sometimes and try to tell them which moves to make. Sometimes they listen but mostly they don't. The smaller kids enjoy watching them play and while playing they will tell them stories. The kids love it and it keeps them out of trouble. Maybe it will influence the kids to be upright citizens and stay out of trouble. This time is good for the bench, its a fun time and no troubles. There's a vietnam vet that comes there too. He doesn't sit on the bench, he sits beside it in his wheelchair. Its a very pleasant spot there and he can sit and enjoy the outdoors and watch the kids play and for a while forget his past. But sometimes the past catches up to him and he hears the sound of gunfire, and mortars, and combat buddies screaming in death. He is once more in the jungle walking quietly and listening for the enemy. Only the bench knows of these times and the tears he sheds for his friends lost over there. Soon he will be fitted for artificial legs and he will be able to walk again, maybe! There's an elderly lady that comes there. She brings her knitting and works with that and enjoys the outdoors and the sound of laughter in the park. She belongs to a knitting club with her church and they make sweaters for the needy and homeless. Its something that keeps her occupied since the loss of her husband of many years. Has it only been two years now since his passing? She is active in many church activities and she really enjoys helping other people. Sometimes she thinks of her husband and all the happy years they had together and she smiles. Her children visit her often and bring the grandchildren. She enjoys these times too. Sometimes they all come to the park and have a picnic. The grandchildren have a great time playing in the park while she visits with her children and talk about times remembered. They share tears for the sad times and laughter for the happy times. Some truly great times for the bench. It remembers too! In the spring when the flowers bloom and the trees are getting new leaves the bench gets a new paint job. Its all fresh and new again. How many secrets will it keep this time? neon_sapphire |