Contentment

He sits on the bench in the park. The sun is touching him with warm fingers. He puts his head back, and presents his face to her hands. He breathes in slowly and deeply. The air tastes different then usual. Somehow it seems thick and sweet.He closes his eyes against her sharp glare. He had forgotten that she has this sharp edge to her. He had missed days like these. He should come out here more often, like he used to do.He listens to the world around him. In the street cars are going by: some deep and slow and rumbling, others fast and loud and obnoxious. There are footsteps on the gravel path behind him. Running steps of joggers on their way to nowhere. Slow steps of lovers holding hands and talking in whispers.Across from him he can hear the laughter of children. It is contagious. He feels a giggle form in the pit of his stomach. It rises up and up until it pushes against his lips. He sets it free without guilt or shame. Who cares what people would think of an old man sitting in the park, laughing with his eyes closed and his head thrown back?The wind wriggles in his grey hair. It brings with it a sent he knows and loves. The sent of his wife’s perfume tickles up his nostrils. He moves his hand along the edge of the bench until it reaches the silk of her dress. His fingers walk the length of her thigh. Her hand finds his and their fingers entwine.He wrestles the shoes off his feet, and uses his toes to tug off his socks. With awe he puts his naked feet on the grass. It is wet with dew and short. He distinguishes the smell of fresh cut lawn in the air.The enticing song of an ice-cream truck reaches his ears. He sits up straight, feeling his pockets for his wallet. With anticipation he walks the short length to the side of the road, and waits for the truck to stop. He buys two cones with spiral white ice-cream clouds and a flake sticking out of the side. The sweet sticky mess is running down his hands before he reaches the bench.He holds out one to her. She smiles and takes it while she shakes her head. They sit side by side, licking the ice-cream in silence.