Arabella sighed, shaking her head and standing from her most recent painting. She’d seemed to lost her muse mid-painting, unable to pick up where she left off the previous day. She ran a hand through her hair, sighing once more as she looked at it. “You need fresh air….a break” she said to herself, moving to her room and changing. The air was a little chilly, but that didn’t stop her as she made her way to the local park, feet pounding against the running trail. She was so caught up in her thoughts, running until the thoughts stopped and the solitude and silence kicked in. After pushing herself a little further, she sat down on a bench, not realizing that the bench already had an occupant.
Kole was in need of a vacation; time away from Boston, the pub, even his family. It was odd, out of character even. He could deal with stress, swallow it down and shovel on. But the bartender, in recent weeks, was all too down in the dumps to fight. He hasn’t been laid in weeks, which for Kole screamed that something was indeed wrong. His boss had no problems letting him take some time off, getting a new recruit to take his place. And his family supported his decision, though they’d miss him despite it only being a few days he planned on being gone. When Kole got into his truck and drove off, he didn’t care where he went. He didn’t even know the name of the town he stopped in. He did sign in to a room at a local motel, registering for two nights, which would give him plenty of time to study the area and get his mind cleared.
Despite leaving his beloved dogs with a friend, Kole wished he had brought them along. He sat on a park bench after walking the trail, taking in the beautiful attractions of the trees and flowers. It was rare for him to stop and think, usually his mind was full of cheesy pick up lines or friendly advice that a customer probably would’t take because what does a bartender know anyway? He was just there to listen. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his jacket, body slightly slouched on the bench. On his lap was a newspaper he had picked up from the market where he bought himself a soda to bring along with him. It sat next to him on the bench. His eyes were glued to the paper, taking an interest in this town’s news, he too didn’t noticed the woman sit next to him.
