May 27, 2008
San Francisco
Steve walked through Dolores Park on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.
The sun hung low above the city, casting long shadows across the grass. A few people sat scattered throughout the park, talking quietly or lying back in the sunlight.
It wasn't very busy.
Steve followed the path slowly, his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket.
He hadn't been here in seven years.
The bench came into view.
For a moment, he stopped walking.
The wood looked the same as he remembered. The same worn slats. The same view of the skyline stretching beyond the hill.
His chest tightened slightly.
Steve took a breath and forced himself forward.
He sat down carefully.
For a moment he didn't say anything.
His fingers rested lightly on the edge of the bench.
Then his breathing quickened just slightly.
"It took a long time for me to come here, you know," he said quietly.
The words felt strange in the open air.
He looked out across the grass.
"I didn't want to do this," he continued.
"My therapist says I need to."
Steve shifted slightly in his seat, the anxiety visible in the way he adjusted his hands against the wood.
"She says I need to remember things."
He swallowed.
"Remember the past."
His eyes drifted downward.
"Remember you."
The park was quiet around him.
"And remember why we're not together anymore."
Steve sat there for another moment.
The memory hovered just out of reach — the station, the sound of the train, the moment everything stopped.
His mind refused to go any further.
He let out a slow breath.
"I guess this is the start," he said softly.
"I did my best coming."
Steve stood up.
He glanced at the bench one last time before turning toward the park entrance.
Outside the gates, a young man stood waiting on the sidewalk.
He was about the same age as Steve — tall, thin, with dark hair that fell slightly over his forehead.
When he saw Steve approaching, he gave him a small, reassuring smile.
"How did it go?" the man asked gently.
Steve hesitated for a moment.
Then he nodded faintly.
"I think... it was okay."
The young man stepped closer and rested a hand briefly on Steve's shoulder.
"That's good," he said.
They began walking down the street together, leaving the park behind them.
Steve didn't look back.