From That Old Green Park Bench

Chapter 1

Relaxing on the Old Green Park Bench

It was a cool autumn night when I was lying on the old wooden park bench watching the dark gray clouds roll by. The brisk west wind was driving the clouds towards the Atlantic, periodically blocking the diminishing light of the full moon directly above me. As I turn my head to get a view of the seven story hospital which stood on the opposite side of Park Avenue about 300 yards away, I could see a fine mist illuminated by the corner street light. I wasn't very concerned about getting wet because I was wearing my new blue waterproof jacket that was given to me by an old lady-friend of mine named Alicia. I was also wearing my pair of thick blue jeans with my military boots that kept my feet nice and dry. My green and brown camouflaged hat with a wide brim I wore to protect my head and face from the cold raindrops. I was indeed very lucky to be dressed in such protective attire while having the use of this park bench all to myself. This was my favorite place to sleep. It was tucked away under the shelter of a big oak tree that was bordered in a semi-circle of tall thick bushes that stood directly behind me. Though the leaves from the tree had fallen all around me, I still had the protection of the bench when I lay beneath it. I could even cover myself with the newspaper that I kept tucked away under my jacket. Yes, I was very fortunate to have this place all to myself.

I was not so alone here, either. I had the company of the patients that lay in their hospital beds. I could feel their presence from the light coming from the windows of their rooms. I could imagine their loneliness from being away from their family and friends, which made me feel somehow connected to them. Though the atmosphere could be very peaceful and serene at times, it was often disturbed by the sound of ambulances making their way to the circular driveway in front of the large emergency room doors. I often welcomed the change and enjoyed watching the busy drivers and hospital staff working quickly and professionally to meet the needs of the traumatized patients. These scenes would remind me that I was not exempt from the violent acts of human predators. I too was vulnerable to the inhumane acts of drug addicts, alcoholics, muggers, and the like who were unfortunate enough to grow up in the hellish side of our modern society. I was by no means blind to the fact that I could have been mugged at any given moment; consequently, I also carried with me a hunting knife that I found in a parking lot behind an old torn down nightclub. I kept it concealed in my right boot. I had used it to ward off the kind of people previously mentioned and also to hold on to my claimed piece of territory such as this park bench that I had enjoyed for months. I thanked God that I have never had to injure anyone in order to keep what was mine. I had learned to sleep with one eye open and to use nature as protection. The crisp fallen leaves that surrounded me served as an alarm for intruders, except for rainy nights as was this night.

These distracting thoughts would gradually leave my head and I would go back to analyzing the ways of human society that had constantly filled my brain for as long as I could remember. I would often find myself crying when I would think of all the unfortunate children who were destined for the unhealthy environments of the inner cities of America.