short story // Mister Sidewalk

He went on a walk every night for several years already. He doesn't remember when exactly he started to embrace this new routine, but it was something he could not imagine to live without anymore. An escape from the wife that cannot pass any of his action without a sarcastic comment, from a daughter that he had high hopes for but  then she forgot to grow up and fly away from the nest and even from the turtle that he captured few year ago and he is sure she will never forgive him that.

He was always walking on the road. Not in the middle but a meter beside sidewalk. Once he overheard a young couple talking about him, calling him Mister Sidewalk. They thought he will not connect the conversation with himself but he knew it was about him. He was never wrong about these things.

Embracing the peace and quiet of the evening he went back to this particular memory of hearing his nickname. He was quite happy about it and if he would still have an energy to curve his lips into smile he would do it. He laughed on the inside instead. Mister Sidewalk.

It was nice to be somebody for once even if this was being Mister Sidewalk for a couple that he meets from time to time on this evening walks with himself. He wondered what the life will bring to them. It is so nice to see young people that were not yet crushed with the reality of the real world. With the future. Everything is still open. He was once there. Full of hope and optimism about fulfilling his potentials.

O dear god, his thoughts almost went to the dark side of his memories. He stopped for a minute and starred at the nearest tree. Mister Sidewalk looked very silly from far right now. If there would be anyone passing by they would probably feel uncomfortable seeing him. He had no choice though, this was the only way to escape his flow of mind that was trying to hit him. He counted to fifty and started walking again. He swear to himself these walks were an escape from the misery and not a time alone to go through it.

Maybe there will be a part II.

Best, Špela