Saturday Street [EN]

Rick was walking without a destination that idle afternoon. He was contemplating a street that once was new and unknown to him, a street that now was bringing him many sour memories. The low sky oppressed him by the thought of a maelstrom coming. His sight fell onto the streets, where there was a dead dog in the middle. It made him very uncomfortable the fact the animal corpse seemed completely

inexistent by the people passing by. Rick looked over the street and his look crossed a familiar face. His stomach turned around immediately. The young man was smiling to him. Rick tried to deviate his look, but it was too late, the young man looked left to right to cross the street, and now he was walking towards him. The next moment he opens his arms and embraces Rick. Rick closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

– I can't believe you're here. Said the young man.

– Me neither.

– I thought you'd never come back, I've been dreaming of this day for so long...

Rick remained quiet, staring at the dirty sidewalk they were standing at.

– What's wrong? Are you alright?

– I'm alright, yeah...

– Aren't you happy to see me?

– Listen... I don't think I'm ready for this conversation, I..

– Oh, come on. Here, I parked on the other side of the street, come with me real quick, my mom has been asking about you all this time, she would love to see you!

– I really can't, I'm sorry...

– Are you going somewhere? I can give you a ride..

– No, sorry, I really should get going now..

– Wait! Wait. It's been years we don't see each other, what happened? Are you mad at me or something?

– Sorry, I can't talk to you now, I'm really not feeling alright, I need to go..

– Wait! Please... Just tell me, what happened? You completely disappeared, I couldn't find you

anywhere, and..

– Listen, you know what happened..

– No, I don't! I sent you that one last message, what was that? Really, years ago! You never got back to me, I thought...

– Please, let's not talk about it, I can't do it

– I'm just trying to talk to you

– I don't want to talk to you. I'm sorry.

Rick looked deep into his eyes, now, for the first time. He seemed a lot older. The same thick glasses, now a he had darker hair growing in his chin, looked more like an adult than before.

– Listen, I know you're upset, but we need to talk, you can't go on like this, it's been years, I can't

believe you're not over that.

– This is not easy for me, it's my first time back since that summer, everything has changed, I

really didn't expect to see you here, I heard you were gone and...

– Oh, I see. You've talked to your friends again, haven't you?

– What did you expect? Isn't that what friends do?

– I thought you weren't talking to them all this time.

– So you've been in touch with them all too, huh?

– Not really, I just heard from someone...

Rick looked away, now he was staring at the other side of the street again, he noticed a wall painted in deep blue, he remembered it being bright pink.

– I came to see my mom. You know she would love to see you again.

– Sorry, I just can't. Please send my regards to her

– I won't. She'd ask me all questions I don't have the answers to

– Well, then don't. I just hope she's alright

– She's been really sick lately

– I'm sorry to hear that

– She's gotten worse since I left home last year...

– Is she on her own?

– Nah.. her boyfriend is always there...

The young man lifted Rick's chin with his hand. He looked at him.

– You lost weight.

– Did I?

– Yes. How long are you here for?

– Not too long.

– You're going back to America?

– No.

– I see.

Rick looked up to the darkening sky.

– Listen, it's getting late. Would you please excuse me? I really have to go.

– Do I have a choice?

– I'm really sorry. Please tell your mom I said hi, I hope she'll get better.

– Sure.

– Goodbye

– Bye Rick...

Rick started walking fast, fighting to not look back, but he couldn't help it. He saw the young man crossing the street back. The streets were dark already. He couldn't tell what the colors on the walls were anymore, everything acquired a yellow tint from the street lamps. He kept walking into the night.