Familiar Faces

    I arrive at the plaza a little earlier in the evening than usual. A man with a broken arm is sitting in the bench where I usually sit so I sit on the adjacent bench. The middle aged man with a broken arm seems entranced. He is just staring straight forward, I’m not really sure at what. The café as usual has live music. There is ton of people in the café today probably since it is Friday. My attention is caught by the jewelry and home décor shop called “Nirvana”. It never has any people inside but today there is an elderly couple there. As they go further inside I lose sight of them but they soon come out with a small bag. Seems like they purchased something. I watch them walk along the sidewalk until out of the corner of my eye, the man with broken arm stands up walks into the quiet café by the church. I suppose he was staring at that. I watch people leave the “Authentic Outpost” restaurant for a few minutes. Visitors and residents of this town seem to really enjoy this restaurant. There are many cars parked in front of the restaurant. As I continue to watch the people leave, I see a big fluffy dog appear out of the corner by the jewelry store. I’ve seen that dog before. I now see the woman I spoke to the last time I came here. She is walking with her husband. They both appear to be around the same age, about 50 or so. They are in sporty clothing. I expected them to walk up into the plaza but they just walked by. They seem to be exercising. This is the second time I’ve seen this woman and her big dog. They disappear behind the church and I lose sight of them. As I swat the some mosquitos away, I turn to the direction of laughter and see 4 people inside the bar called “The Space”. It usually doesn’t have much people but today is an exception. I hear a “clink!” and see a man walking away after closing up his shop behind me. I think I’ve seen that man before. Not sure whether it was here or somewhere else in town. I stand up and walk towards the quiet café by the church. Last time I came, it was full of couples. I pass by and see the same thing, couples. Some showing lots of love, others just sitting quietly with drinks in their hands. On my walk back to the car I see a middle aged man and his son reading a plaque on the church. The man takes his phone out of his pocket and I see a flash shortly after. Before I get in my car I cross myself in respect to the church and drive past the plaza listening to the soft rock music as I leave.