Capturing Luna

Soy and ploy

A serene scene fell over the view in front of the people at the park. A long paved walk path was busy with jogging, walking and even bike cycling people. In the background were leafy trees scattered around. Looking over the trees you could see the shape of a dense city. The skyscrapers formed an outline and a frame like jagged teeth. On a bench overlooking the scene sat a man, one foot firmly on the ground. The other foot relaxed with his heel leaning on the ground. Next to him sat a cardboard cup holder containing 2 cups. As the sun was emerging from the east the man on the bench sat with his head leaned back. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, as the morning was already hot and sticky. As a jogger was passing by the man took of his sunglasses and yelled out to the jogger “Charles! Over here!” He held out a cup of coffee to him. The jogger slowed down and frowned at the man. He then walked over to the bench, his breathing labored. He looked at the man sitting on the bench as they both straighten up. The jogger finally answered the man “I don’t think I know you ...eeehh” He was gesturing for the man to tell him his name. “John! I’m a good friend of Amanda.” The jogger seemed surprised as he made an oh sound. John gestured for the man to sit, and handed out the coffee a second time. Charles sat down next to him and gestured no to the coffee “thanks but I’m...” John interrupted Charles “It’s soy latte. 1 pack of stevia in the raw.” Charles raised his eyebrows at that and made a face of being impressed. He then took the coffee and took a sip. Both men sipped at their coffee for a while before Charles picked up the conversation “So you’re her new boyfriend, you’re her to tell me to move on aren’t you?” Charles head fell with eyes staring at the ground. He sighed and put one hand behind his neck. Then he lifted his head, leaned back and sipped his coffee again. John finally spoke after a suspenseful pause. “On the contrary Charles, I’m not involved with Amanda at all. However a friend of mine wouldn’t mind if she got more available. Even as she is single, I got the sense she is not settling down. And I’m guessing you’re the reason for that.” Charles scoffed “you really don’t know? Or are you being polite?” John quickly replied “I’m being polite, but I only suspect the reason. I’ve not been included in those discussions.” Charles looked over at John and gave a small nod. “We were engaged, then I did the stupidest thing ever. I got drunk, so drunk I don’t remember what happened. I woke up with another woman, and I’m pretty sure we didn’t use protection. I confessed to Amanda the next day. She has hardly spoken to me since. She’s the only one for me, I’ve been trying to get her back for 2 years.” John gave a small smile in empathy. “I’m so sorry Charles, I hope Amanda changes her mind. I sense she’s not looking for anyone else. Like you are out there and you’re the one who got away.” Charles scoffed “then why won’t she take me back? I mean, she’s the one who got away. If we feel the same...” He threw a hand up before he let it drop to to his lap. Charles voice faltered as he chocked on the last word. John put a hand on his shoulder patting it twice. “I’m sort of in the same situation, that’s why I’m here. Neither Amanda nor Luna knows I’m here. I'm traveling to get to my love of my life, I took a detour to help a fellow man out.” Charles looked at John “you’re not the first to swear that Luna will be his.” John smiled at that “but I will be the last!” He earned a chuckle from Charles at that. “I can't help you man, Luna is not going to listen to me. And she is a notorious free spirit.” John hummed back “I know.” A silence fell among the two. Both were looking out over the trees and to the city emerging over the treetops. John took a sharp inhale “I have a plan for you, if you would like. You would need to travel a bit. I have all the plane tickets ready. Amanda will receive the same destinations, but the first trip is delayed 1 day for her. It will let you have 1 day to get things sorted. The travels will take you two to three different destinations over 3 1/2 weeks. You have a little less than a month to convince her that it should be the two of you.” James' jaw had dropped as he looked at John with bulging eyes. “Why man? That's, amazing! I don't know how to repay you! I mean, dude, why are you helping me?” “I told you Charles, I'm on my way to convince my girl that we're are meant to be. So I might as well make a pit stop to help you out.” John made a huge grin at Charles. “If this works, I'm going to drag Luna to you myself. Kicking and screaming even. That girl needs a guy like you. You would compliment her perfectly. And about time she settled down a bit.” Both nodded at that.