A Tuesday At The Docs

It was a Tuesday afternoon and I decided to go down to the docs. I liked sitting at the edge of the docs and watching the ducks swim gracefully in the water. It was very peaceful there. Since I finished school, I had a lot of time on my hands to write in my favorite little black notebook. I took my softcover notebook and began to write down all the things I wanted to do in my life. Everyone expected me to get a job as soon as I finished university, but I had other plans. I wanted to get away. Travel. See the world. Most importantly, I wanted to start a life with him. The only problem with getting away was the fact that I had no money. Well, not enough money to start a life. There I was sitting with my feet hanging off the docs when an old man approached me.

"Excuse me, Miss."

"Hello."

"Do you by any chance have some spear change I can borrow?"

"Let me check. Here you go, sir."

"Thank you. You have a good day now. Take care."

I started writing down jobs I can apply to since the idea of me running away to be with the man I love was an unrealistic dream. My family would never allow it. Even if I had the money to go, they would never approve. I tore the ivory page of the fantasy I created, and through it into the lake. I would always be stuck here. Working and never being able to travel when I wanted to. Living here while the one I loved lived in another country. I watched the page dissolve as if I was watching my dreams dissolving right in front of my eyes. I guess they were right. Long-distance relationships are doomed for failure. I began writing down things like "sever", "hostess", "retail", and thought I was born to be more than this. I was born to be a writer. Maybe a travel writer. I heard some footsteps approaching me and it was the same old man from before, this time he was back with some bread. He threw little pieces of bread for the ducks in the water. He walked closer to me and then sat down beside me. I was not scared that a stranger sat down beside me. It felt nice not being alone. I always felt alone these days. Just my little black notebook and I. We both sat there in silence as we watched the ducks looking for the pieces of bread he threw into the lake. Finally, the old man broke the silence.

"My wife and I used to come here and feed the ducks together."

"What happened to her, if you don't mind me asking?"

"She passed away a couple of months ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay. We had many years of happy memories together. We fell in love at a very young age and got married when I moved here to be with her."

"How did you guys meet?"

"She came to Italy one summer with her family and we met by the beach. I remember it as if it was yesterday. The water was so clear, so blue. The sun was shining and- OH! She looked so beautiful. But not as beautiful as her heart. What can I say, it started as the perfect summer romance. I knew I would marry her one day by our second date. She had a smile that would cheer anyone up just by looking at it. Her heart was so pure. When she left we wrote letters back and forth to each other. I would finish work early on Fridays just to go home and read her letter for the week. It was hard. Not being able to see her every day. To hold her. But I knew I had to work hard so one day we would be together. It was not easy at all. It took me three years to save up my money and finally come to Canada. Now that I think about it, those three years were worth the wait. I had the best life with the woman of my dreams."

"Wow. That is so romantic. I can't believe you both waited that long to be with each other."

"It only works if two people are willing to make it work. In life, you have to work hard for what you want. Even if it takes time to get there. If you love someone, don't give up on them."

"Thanks. That is some great advice. My boyfriend and I have been in a long-distance relationship for over a year and I feel like we are drifting apart because it has been 6 months since we last saw each other. I know we both love each other but every day it hurts knowing that we can't physically be there for one another. To make it worst, my parents would never approve of him. They told me if I were to choose him, they would never speak to me again. Right now, I don't know if it is best to let him go or fight to be with him. If I had the money, I would run away so we can be together, but I am stuck here. With no job and no money."

"Never give up. If it is true love, both of you will find your way back together even if your timing is not right now. If he is the one it will work out for you guys, it is getting late. I must go back to my house for my afternoon nap. Nice talking to you."

The day after that the old man came back to the end of the doc. We would sit there and talk about memories of his past wife Martha, and he would give me advice about my relationship. It became a routine where we would meet every day at the docs. I brought the bread and my Moleskine notebook, and he would feed the ducks while he gave me advice about life and relationships. He pushed me to work hard and believed that one day I would become a travel writer. I just had to believe it myself. Two weeks later I finally got a serving job and I saw the old man less. I would still try to make time to see him at least once a week, every Tuesday. He became my friend. September came all too soon, and I realized I spent my whole summer working at Denny's collecting tips and serving customers. I had saved up about $3000 when I counted my piggy bank. The second Tuesday of that September month is one that I will never forget. I waited for the old man to walk down at the end of the docs to hear another story about his wife. Instead, I saw a lady in a brown suit walking towards me.

"You are the writer girl that meets my father here every Tuesday, am I correct?"

"Yes. Where is he?"

"I am sorry to say that he passed away."

"He what-?"

"He passed away Friday night and left you this letter."

The letter read:

"My Dearest Friend,

Life is filled with so many ups and downs. It has been a pleasure knowing you and I wish you all the best in your life. Below I am leaving you this money so you can have a head start in life. Something that I never had. It is not much, but I hope it helps. You can finally travel and become the writer I know you to be! Moreover, you and your loved one can start a life together. Don't let anyone but your heart tell you what to do. If you want to be with your boyfriend, this is your chance, do not worry about your parents. If they love you, they will come around. Mines did. Travel the world. Make memories. Don't forget to feed the ducks while I am gone!

- An Old Friend.

As I said, a Tuesday I would never forget. In the letter, it had a check for $20,000. I thanked his daughter and sent my condolences to his family. I put the letter in the back of my little black notebook and began creating that list I once through into the lake. This time it was not just a list of my fantasies. It was now a list of all of my future realities.

By: Anniebella Marie