September 24th, 2012, 12:34 AM.

Today, I came upon a woman who sat on the bench in the park that I visit on my daily walk. I see her every day, it seemed, but I finally noticed just how empty things really were for her. She sat there with her purse in her lap, the flowers around her were wilted, getting ready for that of the winter, though it wasn't quite there yet. I decided to stop and talk to her. I sat next to her, asked her how she was doing, but she didn't answer. She simply sat there, staring at the graveyard that was up on the hill about a mile from the park. I would move a little closer, asking her simpler question.

"Did you lose someone important?" I remember myself asking. She simply replied with a nod.
"A sibling."
She'd shake her head.
"Who?"
"My boyfriend." Then, the weirdest thing would happen. She'd let out a simple laugh, tears welling in her eyes. "Though, I didn't lose him, he's still here. I just have to wait a while!" She'd continue to laugh for quite some time, before her laugh would devolve into heavy sobbing, her jade colored eyes staring ahead at the cemetery once more. "
"...How...did he...?"
She wouldn't answer. No matter how many times I asked, she wouldn't answer. I stayed with the stranger, patting her shoulder, letting her cry. When she finally calmed down, I decided that was the time to leave. She would thank me for leaving, and all I would do is give her a bit of money, though I didn't know if she needed it or not. Just a $20.

I came home and cried.

I'm still crying as I recall all of this.

The look on her face when I asked her if she had lost someone, the way she reacted when she said that he'd come back, and that she'd wait for him...

I feel so bad for her....

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Uh.
Credit for the art goes to whoever drew it. I can't remember where I stole the picture from, all I know is that I saw it and was struck with inspiration, so I decided to write about it.