Chapter 1

Present 1

Joe cautiously took a seat on the bench, carefully placing his walking stick next to him. He adjusted himself to find a comfortable position. Slowly, he retrieved a tuna sandwich and a thermos flask from his backpack. As he unwrapped the sandwich, he surveyed his surroundings. The day was overcast and breezy, perfect for a leisurely outing. He noticed a few elderly individuals, like himself, practising 'tai chi' in the nearby field. Perhaps he should join them, he pondered. But his shyness held him back from asking. In the distance, he could see children playing in the playground, closely monitored by their parents. The sound of their laughter brought a small glimmer of joy to his heart, evoking memories of his carefree childhood. A time filled with playfulness and happiness is now long gone. He sat and observed the children, their laughter reminiscent of his own youth.

Joe reflected on his current existence with a heavy heart. He felt a deep sense of solitude, with his wife passing away a decade ago and his two children living abroad and rarely visiting. Now, he resided alone in a cramped apartment, with most of his old companions having passed on. The thought of his circumstances brought tears to his eyes, yet he couldn't bring himself to weep in public. As he took a bite of the sandwich he had prepared for himself, he couldn't help but think of how his late wife used to make them for him. He had always dismissed the feeling, but deep down, he knew his time was near. Just like any elderly man, he was burdened with various age-related ailments.

            Joe continued to eat his sandwich and washed every bite with a gulp of coffee from his thermos flask, he couldn't help but reflect on his late wife. She would always make him sandwiches, perfectly cut and with just the right amount of mustard. She would take his abuse with a calmness that annoyed him. But now, as he sat alone at the park, he realized he would never taste her sandwiches again. The thought brought a pang of sadness to his heart.

Lately, he has found it difficult to swallow solid food. He was afraid to tell his doctor, afraid to add another illness to his list. He hated the thought of being a burden on anyone, especially in his old age. But as he took another bite of his sandwich, he couldn't help but wonder if this was a sign. The thought of leaving this world without having someone by his side made him feel even more lonely. Joe knew his time was near, and he had come to accept it. Just like any elderly man, he was burdened with various age-related ailments. He often thought about how his wife used to take care of him, and he wished she was still here to do so. But time passes and cannot be turned back. Only memories remained. Only memories can be recalled.

Joe bit into his sandwich once more, but as he swallowed, he felt the food get stuck in his throat. He instinctively reached for his thermos and opened the cap, but it slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. Joe bent down to retrieve the cap , which had rolled to his feet but he couldn’t reach it. He bent as low as he could, feeling his old body aching from the stress and finally managed to reach it. He cautiously picked it up, not wanting to drop it again. As he sat back up, he noticed a little girl standing in front of him.

She was a young child, around five or six years old, with long, glossy hair pulled back into a tidy ponytail. She wore a pristine white dress that reached her knees and had captivating, round eyes that gazed up at Joe without a glimmer of emotion. Joe met her gaze, unsure of what to say or do in response.

              Eventually, her lips curved into a grin, a comforting and attractive one. In response, Joe mirrored her expression.

"Hello," he cordially greeted her. She simply smiled in return without speaking.

"Are you by yourself? Where are your parents?" Joe inquired.

She gestured towards a cluster of adults conversing nearby.

"You shouldn't be here unaccompanied, you know. Are your parents aware of your presence here?" Joe probed again.

She remained silent but nodded her head that she understood the gravity of the situation. She seemed to be a shy girl, but as she smiled, her face lit up with a warm and charming expression. Joe couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in her presence. Her presence invoked memories of his daughter when she was the girl’s age. A sense of sadness burned in his heart. But he realised that it was his doing that drove his children away from him.

Joe's concern for the little girl grew as he realised that she was alone in a crowded place. As he looked around, he noticed that the adults she pointed to were too caught up in their conversations to pay attention to her.

"You shouldn't be alone, especially in a place like this," Joe said, feeling a sense of protectiveness towards the little girl. Joe couldn't help but feel sorry for her, and he made a mental note to keep an eye on her until her parents came to pick her up.