The Park Bench

“Is this seat taken?”

Todd, leaning back and staring blankly at the blue sky through his sunglasses, brought himself forward. His gaze fell on the grey-haired man already lowering himself down onto the other end of the forest green bench. “No,” he said, rising to offer assistance.

“I’m okay,” the stranger said, but gripped his trembling hand to Todd’s arm to steady himself. “These bones don’t work like they did when I was your age.”

Todd smiled thinly as he sat back down. He closed his eyes a...