Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

The old man spoke barely above a whisper; I crouched down to hear him.

“Tell her I love her,” he said.

“Who?”

I wished I hadn’t crouched down. Now, somehow, I felt responsible to tell someone this homeless stranger loved her. My knees were screaming at me, but it felt rude to stand up at such a moment.

“That God will watch over her.”

“Over who?”

I stood up.

“Come sit on the bench,” I said. “It must be cold down there on the pavement.”

I helped him up; he shuffled over to the bus stop.

“When did you eat last?” I wanted to add, “Or bathe,” but that felt rude.

“I dunno. Been a while.”

There was a McDonald’s nearby; I felt compelled to get him a sandwich and a coffee.

“Why don’t you tell her yourself?”

We sat in silence.

I looked at my watch; I was going to be late for my meeting, but I couldn’t leave him.

“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll get you something to eat. Be right back.”

Five minutes later I was back with a Big Mac and a coffee. I put the food down next to him on the bench.

“I’m Brent, by the way. And you are?”

The old man stared straight ahead, scowling; it was like a dark cloud had settled over him.

“Who did you want me to tell?”

Silence.

I really had to go; I left the sandwich and coffee next to him, emptied my pockets and put my coat over his trembling shoulders.

“Sorry, I have to go. I’ll be back.”

After my meeting, I hurried back to the bus stop. The old man was gone, he wasn’t anywhere. My coat was on the bench, next to the untouched food.

I think about him sometimes.