Today will be sixty degrees with expected rain in the afternoon. The man in the window is nowhere in sight. I look around like a taxi driver trying to pick up a fare. Then, I see him standing by a red truck parked in front of his house. With a quick flick of my finger, I turn on the indicator, pull over next to him, and roll down the window.
“Well, hello there, beautiful lady,” he greets me.
“Good morning, Mr. T. How are you doing today?”
“As usual, much better now that I see you,” he answers.
“Good to know that my presence makes you feel better,” I say with a chuckle.
“I haven’t seen you in four days; you told me that Thursday, I wouldn’t see you; is everything okay?” He asks, looking concern.
“Everything is fine,” I assure him with a smile. “What did you do over the weekend?”
“I did not do much. This coronavirus is causing hysteria, havoc, and there is no vaccine for combat. So many people have died already, and there will be many more deaths. I stayed home and watched television all weekend long. I do not mind because I am comfortable with my own company. Since the stroke, the doctor stopped me from driving. That is the hardest thing for me.” He turns away from my stare. “This is my baby,” he strokes the hood of the red truck, “and that one is also mine,” he points to a white car parked in front of the truck.
“You have two vehicles? Why?” I ask.
“I like having two vehicles.” He laughs.
“It is just a pity you are not able to drive, though,” I respond as he turns back to look at me.
“I wouldn’t have met you if I was driving. So, for that reason, it was a good thing.” He laughs.
“I agree with that.” I nod.
We laugh.
Thoughts from the man in the window.
I have been living by myself for the past five years. When my wife passed away, I was devastated because I was going to be alone. I had no one to keep me company in the house. The children came by when they felt like it, but for the most part, I was alone. Over time, being alone was the best thing that happened to me. I had the chance to reflect on me.
I do anything that I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it. I was free to be me. I began to love myself. Being alone does not necessarily mean that you are lonely; being alone can be freedom, and for me, I was happy. I was comfortable in my own company.
When I am alone, I feel at contentment.
How does being alone make you feel?
Okay, I said it!