The Bench

The man thought to himself for a moment and replied, “I think so.  I’m actually headed the other way, my train is going outbound, away from the city.  But I think the train you want does come through here just before mine.”

“Thank you.”  she replied, visibly relieved.  “This is my first time going into the city on the train and I wasn’t sure.”

“Well, keep an eye on the that monitor over there.” he said pointing to the information board.  “It shows up to minute information on all the trains that are expected to arrive at this platform.  If your train is delayed, you’ll know about it from there.”

By way of an excuse she said, “I guess I am a little nervous, both about the train and my new job.”

The man turned his head to face her and said, “Oh, you’re starting a new position?  What is it you do?” Just then realizing that perhaps he might have crossed that line between intrusiveness and polite conversation, he added, “If you don’t mind my asking?”

“Oh, not at all. I teach English, American Literature to be specific, at the community college.”  She went on, “One day a week, on Friday’s, I travel into town to teach a couple of classes at the annex.”

The man was impressed and replied with a smile, “A professor?  That’s wonderful. “

“This is my first teaching assignment since getting my PhD.  I am rather excited to get out there bringing the wonders of literature to young people.”

After a few more minutes of small talk Rob announced “Here comes your train.” Pointing down the track he continued, “right on time. Good luck on your first day!”

“Thank you again.  Have a nice day yourself.” she replied while getting up.  Then walked down the platform and got on her train.

To say it was flirting would be a gross overstatement.  But you could tell that Rebecca was put at ease rather quickly by this man.  He had a kind demeaner and a comforting voice.  Not a bad way to start off the day and her new job.

Rebecca got to the station early again, and being a creature of habit, moseyed on down to the bench where she sat the previous week.  Not surprisingly she found the same man who helped her last time sitting in the same spot.

“Why, Hello.” He greeted her with a smile.  “How was your first week at the job?”.

She smiled, “It was great.  I think it’s going to work out very well” impressed that he remembered their conversation from last week.

“My name is Robert by the way, but everyone calls me Rob.” he offered.

“Nice to meet you again Rob. I’m Rebecca.” She replied.

He continued, “I only get this train once a week as well.  I work at an outreach clinic.”

“Oh, so are you a doctor?” Rebecca asked with a hint of hope in her voice.

Rob just smiled and humbly said, “No.  I am a radiology technologist.” Rebecca got a confused look on her face. Rob familiar with and sensing the confusion, added, “I operate the X Ray equipment.  The doctors do all the analysis.  I just try to make the clearest pictures possible for them.”

Rebecca shifted her position, still focused on Rob, and said, “That’s very interesting.”  Not quite pulling her sincerity off credibly.

“Well, someone has to do it, and it isn’t easy to do either.  But the best part of this job, is that I get to meet all sorts of people; old, young, tall, short, talkative, shy.”  Pausing for a second, appearing to be in deep thought added, “but they all seem to be sick.”

That got a little chuckle out of Rebecca, as she put her hand over her mouth. They exchanged a few more pleasantries and light conversation before they were interrupted by the sound of a train approaching the track.

Rob said, “Well it looks like my train is coming through first this week.”  Getting up he added, “Have a great day with classes Rebecca.” 

When Rebecca heard her name being said, she felt something inside.  She’s heard her name said aloud in front of her plenty of times, but this time it was a little different.  This was from a man that she hardly knew, and had only spoken too for a total of no more than 20 minutes.  She wasn’t physically attracted to him, that wasn’t it.  There was no interest in being his girlfriend.  He just seemed to genuinely care.  And that comforted her.  It was a strange but welcome feeling that stuck with her all day.

The rest of the semester followed the same pattern.  They would arrive at the train station early; some might say earlier than absolutely needed.  They would sit at the same bench and share their experiences from earlier in the week, often laughing out loud at one or another’s unusual encounters. 

Ten to fifteen minutes once a week is not exactly soul bonding time, but for each of them it was like that special latte you treat yourself to at the end of the week in celebration of another, well … another week gone by.

Rebecca said, “Next week we’re on break, so I won’t be here for next couple of Fridays.  But I’ll be back next semester. This schedule is working out well for me and the college.”  She added, “So I guess I’ll be doing this until I get tenure.”

Rob asked, “Do community colleges give tenure?” genuinely confused.

Rebecca smiled back and said, “No.  So, I guess I’ll be doing this for a while.”
They laughed together.  Both felt happy inside that this strange 15 minute a week relationship would continue into the foreseeable future.

–

“Then, after dinner we sat on the couch and he read this most amazing poem that he had written for me”, said Rebecca finishing her story.  “I’m not going to tell you what happened after that.” She finished with an impish smile.

Rob, returned the smile, happy for Rebecca, who had been through a series of short unsuccessful relationships. He hoped this might be the one and was very happy for her.  He asked, “So, do you think Jack is a keeper?”

“I think so, Rob.  I hope so.” She replied with a big smile.

–

—

Rebecca’s relationship with Jack looked like it was going well.  They traveled often, to interesting places.  Wherever she and Jack went, she would always come back with the most interesting and often hilarious stories.  The two of them would laugh out loud on the bench as Rebecca creatively told, and possibly embellished some far-off adventure.

It was Rob’s time to find someone special.  A friend told him about something called “Match dot com”.  It was like a personal add service on this new thing called the Internet.  Rebecca encouraged Rob to give it a try.  She knew Rob was not that adventurous and needed as much encouragement as possible.  For the next few weeks, Rob would bring in printed copies of biographies (with pictures) of women that matched with him.

Rebecca took this as challenge.  She was not going to let her friend get involved with the wrong person.  She would look over the profiles, pointing out subtle things here and there that Rob would never have noticed.  She even had to point out the obvious ones; astrology for example is not a basis for a long-term relationship.  Finally, one woman did emerge that passed all of Rebecca’s tests, and with a little, no … a lot of encouragement, Rob reached out.

It was nearly a month before Rob had his first date with Cheryl.  An agonizingly slow start from Rebecca’s point of view.  This, however, was Rob’s pace and comfort level.  When they would meet on Friday mornings, Rob would ask for advice on how to impress Cheryl, and most importantly what not to do.  For example, despite knowing that Cheryl’s toaster stopped working, that doesn’t mean that a new toaster would be a good gift idea to celebrate their one-month’s date anniversary. 

It took about a year of serious dating before Rob announced that he was going to propose to Cheryl.  Rebecca was overjoyed for Rob, but also, silently worried that her relationship with Rob would change, or even go away all together.  Her respect for Rob was not going to let her get in the way of Rob’s happiness, and wished the best for both of them.  As it turned out Rob’s marriage didn’t affect his schedule or his relationship with Rebecca.

The years went by.  Rebecca and Rob continued to share their stories every Friday morning.  Their youthful appearances slowly gave way to crows-feet and salt-n-pepper hair.  Despite changes in work status (Rob was now a manager) they somehow managed to retain that once a week meetup at the train station.  Their personal lives have changed as well.  Rob now had a beautiful daughter, Amy.  Rebecca had moved in with her boyfriend of 8 years. 

One cold morning Rob was already sitting down at “their” bench when Rebecca came in.  It was clear that something wasn’t right.  She looked shaken, on the verge of tears.  Rob asked, “What’s the matter?”

Rebecca sat down, and from behind a wall of tears announced “Jack and I broke up.” Catching a breadth she continued, “He’s already moved out.”  In all honesty Rob had very little warning that this was coming.  It is true that over the past couple of years the adventurous stories of their exploits were fewer and farther in-between.  But that was to be expected as relationships mature, and priorities change.

Rob didn’t rush to judge, he just listened and provided encouragement.  He was careful not to say that “everything was going to be OK”.  Of course, it was, but telling someone that is like telling them to hurry up and get over with it. She needed time to grieve.  Rob was also careful not to bash Jack.  He knew Jack was good to her and that they had a long and special relationship.  It was going to take some time for her to heal, and if there was one virtue Rob possessed it was patience.

Fifteen-minute moments of time are not enough to solve or fix anything, but fortunately Rebecca had plenty of friends supporting her.  Rob knew that, so the brief moments they had together on Friday mornings, he would remind her of the good times and exotic adventures she had with and without Jack.  Rob new how to prompt her to retell the funniest stories which would inevitably lead to out-and-out laughter.  Over time, this particular wound started to heal, however it was clear that there would always be a scar.

—

One morning, Rob didn’t show up.  It was unusual for him to not mention ahead of time when he might not be there the following week.  Rebecca was not worried; everyone has that unexpected thing that can mess up schedules.  The following week Rob didn’t show up again.  Two weeks in a row, unannounced, was enough for Rebecca to privately start worrying.

The third week Rebecca was already at the bench when a visibly shaken Rob arrived.  She didn’t say a word.  She just remained quiet as Rob sat down in his usual spot, looking forward through a dead man’s eyes.  She waited until he was ready.  Rob, closing his eyes, then slowly opening them again, said somberly.  “Cheryl’s dead.”

Shocked, Rebecca’s jaw dropped.  She remained silent knowing Rob would continue when he was ready.

“A car accident.  The other driver was drunk.” Clearly mad he said, “He survived.  Cheryl was killed, instantly.”

Rebecca asked, “How’s Amy taking it?”

“Not well.  As if being a teenage girl isn’t enough to get through.  To lose her …”.  Rob couldn’t finish the sentence.  A few moments later he recovered himself and said, “It’s going to be difficult, but I am committed to her.  She’s my number one priority in life now.  I’ll do whatever it takes to raise her to be as fine a woman as her mother was.”

For the following months most of Rob’s contributions to the conversation were about his daughter.  Since both Rob’s and his wife’s families were small, Rob didn’t have as much help in dealing with the adolescent development of a young girl.  He relied on Rebecca’s insights and thoughts on how to deal with an independent growing young woman.

“You can’t fix everything for her” Rebecca commented one morning. “Dads want to be problem solvers, and they want to fix things immediately.  Don’t.  Just listen to her.  Let her tell you what she is experiencing.”  She folded her arms and said “You are the most patient person I’ve ever met.  I know you can do this.”

“I know, I know.”  Rob said.  “It’s just so frustrating.  When she talks about all her friends, and what they are doing and saying, I just don’t understand it.  I’ll be honest, when I was a boy, if I was upset at a friend, we’d just trash talk each other and if it was really bad, we’d hit each other.  The next day it would be like it never happened.”  They both laughed.

—

As time passed Rob ended up being a rather good father.  Striking just that right balance between protector and nurturer.  Amy was maturing into a woman that would have made her mother proud.  Rebecca could sense Rob’s pride in his daughter as well. 

“She’ll be going off to college soon.” Rob said one morning.

“How are you feeling about that?” Rebecca asked.

“She has been the focus of my life for so long now, it’s hard to imagine what it is going to be like when I go home to an empty house.” Rob lamented.  “I guess I just soldier on.  It’s not like she leaving forever, just for the school year.”

—

One morning Rebecca shared some really bad news. “It’s stage 3 breast cancer” she told Rob.  “They recommend that I start chemo right away “.  They were silent for moment.

Rob being in the field knew what she was talking about and tried to reassure her. “They’ve made huge advances in chemo, and you’re the strongest person I know.”

“I’m scared, Rob” she said softly.

“So am I” he replied honestly.  “If you weren’t then I’d really be worried.”  A moment went by and Rob asked, “When will you start?”

“The first of next month” she replied, “I’ll continue working for as long as I can. But they warned me that most people get to the point where they’ll be too weak to do much about halfway through the treatments.”

“That gives me some time to find start the right one for you.” Rob said.

Rebecca, waited for him to explain.

“I’m going to grow you a special house plant.  Of course, plants aren’t going to cure you.  But they can make it just a little be easier for someone fighting cancer.  They help filter the air, produce good oxygen, and some I’m told release chemicals that reduce airborne microbes.   Some plants are better than others. So, I’ll need to do some research.  I’ll find the best and prettiest one for you and your recovery.”

Rebecca appreciated the thought. She knew that Rob loved gardening, indoor and out, and that this was something that he could do, and would be great at it.  She didn’t need another doctor, and there was no miracle cure, she just appreciated the comfort of a friend, who cared.

It was about halfway through her treatments that Rebecca stopped showing up. Rob expected this, and didn’t lose faith that one day soon she would be back.

—

Almost eight months went by without Rebecca.  Rob, as much a creature of habit as Rebecca, continued to sit at their bench.  Each week fully expecting to see her healthy face show up and declare that she was fully cured.

Then, one morning, she did.  Walking to the bench with a big smile, she opened up with “Hi Rob, I’m back.”  Rob was overjoyed and stood up to give her a hug.  Rebecca noticed that next to Rob, in her usual spot, was a very healthy house plant.  She asked, “How did you know I was coming back today?”

“I didn’t” replied Rob with an obvious tone.

“Then how did you know to bring in the plant?”

“I didn’t” Rob repeated.

Rebecca showed some visible confusion. Rob said, “I bring in one every week.  I knew you’d be back eventually.”

“Oh my God, how long have you been doing this?” she asked.

Rob mused, “How long has it been since you were last here?”

Rebecca’s eyes just grew wide, and teared up a little.

Rob commented, “I’m getting really good at growing these.  It’s a Prayer Plant.  Its leaves fold up at night, like they are praying.  Then as the light comes out, they slowly open up.  I bring in a new one each week. I can’t tell you how many of these are in my office by now.  After a while I started giving them out to patients, especially the ones I thought needed a little prayer of their own.  They call me the ‘plant guy’ at work now.”

She reached out and hugged him again, squeezing tight, before sitting down and filling him on all that has gone on while she was away.

—

In the nearly thirty years Rebecca and Rob had known each other, they had grown old together, their relationship never extended beyond the Friday morning ritual. For both it was all they needed and wanted.  That didn’t mean they didn’t care for each other greatly, they did.  In a way their special relationship offered them guilt free access to someone outside their daily lives. Someone willing to be honest, ready to be supportive, but mostly to be there to share the good and the bad and not have to worry about the consequences.

One morning Rob was looking rather pained.  His gait towards the bench had slowed over the years however this morning he looked particularly slow.  Rebecca asked with a little extra sincerely, “How are you doing this morning?”

 “Oh, I’ve been feeling out of breath lately, and have this `discomfort` in my chest.”  Rob avoided the word ‘pain’ because of how it sounded in the sentence. He was determined he was not going to have a ‘you know what’.  He slowly and carefully sat down on the bench.

“Have you seen a doctor about it?” asked Rebecca.

“I had an appointment on Monday. I don’t think it went all that well. He suggested that I come in for some more tests including a VQ scan.” Rob commented.

A little look of confusion, prompted Rob to explain further.  “It’s a scan of how well your blood and air are flowing through your lungs.  Funny, I’ve helped performed hundreds of these.  It will be strange being on the other side of the test for once.”

Rebecca, didn’t say anything, hoping Rob would fill her in on what she really wanted to know.  Rob said, “There is a chance that it might be a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot.”

That did not sound good to Rebecca.  “You’ll be OK right?”.

“Yes”, Rob said assuring her.  “I get the test on Monday, at my home clinic. I’ll get an extra 5×7 of the scan and bring it to you.”

—

Rob was not at the bench the following week.  Nor the week after that.  But on the third week since the bad news about his health, Rob was already sitting there, in his normal spot.  Rebecca was relieved and happily sat down next to him.  “Rob! How are you?” she exclaimed excitedly.

“I’m just fine.  Everything is OK.”  He replied.

“How was your test?  What happened?” she asked.

“The tests are all behind me now.  Nothing more to worry about.” he said, in his calm reassuring voice of old. “But most importantly I’m here back with you.  As it should be.” he said sporting a tight-lipped smile and nostalgic eyes.

Nothing could go wrong for Rebecca that day, and she gleefully shared with Rob what she had been doing the past few weeks.

The next month or so was just like it used to be.  She’d share her stories of the week, while Rob would often talk about the past.  On more than one occasion thanking her for all the help she provided in guiding his daughter Amy into adulthood.  They laughed often, recalling some of stupid things that Rob had done during his courtship with his wife, and of the adventures Rebecca had traveling the globe.

One morning Rob was unusually silent.  Rebecca had exhausted her stories for the week and they sat in silence for a moment.  Rob broke the silence by asking, “Do you ever think we could have been a couple?”

Rebecca was shocked, but not surprised.  She often wondered if the two of them were ever meant for more. “Sometimes” she replied.  “I guess the universe never let it happen.  Our lives just didn’t seem to get us to the same spot at the same time.”  She continued, “But what we did get I cherish as much as I would any marriage or lifelong partnership.”

Rob added, “You were there for me when I needed help, and I did my best to help you when you needed it.”  He went on, “What do you think?  Is now the same spot, the same time?”  Rob paused, then asked, “Are you ready to come with me?  We can just let our trains go on without us for once.  We can walk off this platform together “. Rob reached his hand out to Rebecca.

Rebecca, with a huge smile, put her hand into his, and they got up together. 

The platform manager was busy working on the duty schedules in his little booth at the entrance to the platform.  The new guy stuck his head in and asked, “What’s the story with the old lady on the bench at the end of the platform?”

The manager gave a wistful smile and without looking up from his paperwork, said, “Oh, she and her friend have been fixtures here every Friday for as long as anyone can remember.”  He went on, “I don’t think they are a couple or married or anything.  They come in separately, and they take separate trains in different directions.”

The new guy asked, “Where’s the friend?”

The manager replied, “Oh, he stopped coming a couple of months ago.  At first, she would just sit at her spot and just wait for her train.  But after a couple of weeks, she started talking out loud to herself.  I think she’s going a little crazy.  She doesn’t cause anyone any harm though. Half the time she’s just laughs and is all smiles.”

The new guy said, “Looks like she fell asleep.  Should we wake her up?  She might miss her train.”

The two of them walked down to the other end of the platform where they found Rebecca slumped over, her arm extended as if she was reaching for something on the other side of the bench.  The manager said, “Excuse me ma’am.  Miss, you need to wake up, you don’t want to miss your train.”  He reached out to touch her hand.  It was ice cold.

He reached for her shoulders to shake her awake.  Nothing.  Checking for a pulse he turned somber and told his partner, “Call 911. I think she’s dead.”  Looking at her face, he commented, “We’ll she didn’t die in pain.  That’s the biggest, happiest smile I’ve ever seen on someone.”

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