16: Taking Up Space (2)
680 Words
I followed Walt to the park. The perimeter was crowded with young mothers pushing strollers, old men sunning themselves on benches, and children playing in the sandbox. The crowd thinned at the center of the park. Walt stopped in front of a small amusement area. A man, wearing a change maker on his belt and holding a roll of tickets, gave us both tickets and handed Walt some money.
"Now what?" I pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes out of my pocket and tapped the bottom. "We just stand here and wait?”
He nodded.
I offered Walt a cigarette. He waved it away.
I lit up and took a long drag. "Filthy habit, I know, but it's the only thing that calms me down."
A woman, with dark red hair that didn't match her wrinkles, approached us and clapped her hands. "Oh goody, the line is still short." She fluttered her eyelashes at him. "I love your suit. It's so cheerful!"
Walt smiled at her.
"When I saw you standing there, I decided to treat myself to a merry-go-round ride. Did you know that yellow is my favorite color?"
Walt nodded.
A young mother pushed a stroller wagon to a stop behind the red-haired woman. "Now you two behave, and Mommy will buy you popcorn and sodas.”
The children clapped their hands and laughed.
A white-haired man, followed by a couple of pigeons, stepped behind the young mother. "Great day for roller coaster ride, isn't it?" he said to no one in particular.
A gaggle of teenagers joined the line. They were followed by a young couple who nuzzled one another and giggled. A man, stumbling and smelling of booze, staggered to the end of the line. More people skated or walked or skateboarded to the amusement area. Soon the line snaked through the park.
Walt pulled me away.
"But we haven't done anything. And what about my ticket?"
Walt simply left. I followed him to a park bench facing a small pond. We sat down. Walt half-closed his eyes, and he smiled at the clouds.
A cool breeze ruffled my hair, and the sunlight melted into my pores. I finally broke the silence. "So, let me get this straight, Walt. You figured out how to have a very good life by … taking up space."
Walt's smile turned into a grin. "I figured out how to have a very good life by taking care of people."
"You really do talk!"
Walt laughed. "When I have something to say."
This was my chance to interview the man. "C'mon, Walt. How did you get started?"
"Ran away from home when I was 14. My mom was dead and my dad was a nasty drunk."
"So, you had nothing."
Walt sighed. "I had one thing. One thing only."
I sat forward. "What?"
"I believed God would provide."
I snorted. "Really? You believed that s**t?"
"I still do." He smiled and closed his eyes.
"I don't believe God, if there is a God, ever provided me a damn thing."
Walt opened his eyes and turned to look at me. "Chuck, maybe you never paid attention." He yawned and stretched. "So, are you going to include this conversation in your article?"
I ran my hand through my hair. "Honestly, probably not."
"Well then, nice meeting you." Walt stood up and left me sitting on the bench.
I watched him until he disappeared from view, and exhaled. Time to call my editor. "Hey boss, I just finished interviewing Walt Meyers. What a character…. Yes, you're right, a totally unique approach to wealth. So, listen, I'll turn in the article in a day or two, ok?"
"Chuck, stop screwing with me. You know the deadline!" I held the phone away from my ear. Even if I buried that phone six feet under, I still would have heard him screaming. "Do you hear me? I want that article first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Yes, boss." I disconnected the call and popped an antacid in my mouth. It was going to be a long night.
- Writer
