It started out on a cool afternoon about five years ago. I had just purchased a Shamrock Shake at the local McDonald’s. I decided to take a stroll over to Central Park to enjoy the weather and festivities. There were a good number of people outside due to it being warmer than the usual early March weather. I took a seat at a bench and just took in all the surroundings.
After about ten minutes an older gentleman sent down next to me, uncomfortably close, and asked me for the rest of my Shamrock Shake. Caught off guard and against my better judgment, I let him have it. I held it towards him, and he calmly took it from my grasp. He popped the lid off, tossed it on the ground, and proceeded to guzzle down the shake, and then tossed the cup as well.
That s delicious, he told me, smiling warmly, sliding closer towards me. I was not sure whether or not to leave or just to stay and entertain this eccentric man. Unfortunately I chose the latter, and all too fluidly, he performed the quintessential stretch and yawn and his arm became firmly wrapped around my shoulders.
He began telling me about his childhood and the lack of a love life during his childhood. He moved to the city hoping to find some new opportunity, both professional and social. After a few more minutes of ranting about growing turnips in his apartment, he went silent. I looked at him, clueless about what was to come of next. He simply just stood up, looked back at me, saying, you re alright, and walked away.
