I decided to sit with the man for a little while. Someone running into freezing water was the last thing I was ready to deal with.
His clothes did not suggest someone who was walk ready. Grimy jeans and scuffed unlaced trainers hung below a tight check shirt dotted with food stainst. All had the faded colour of clothes one wash away from the textile recycling bin. A fluffy beard was neither stylistic nor suitable for work.
I was about to respond to his question, when his rant began again.
‘My sister is up ahead. She wanted to keep waking, so I've let her go on. I just wanted to sit here for a little while longer. Is that such a crime? Can't I sit by the water for a little bit more?’
His tears flowed into life once more, catching on his ragged moustache. Why having a sit down was so controversial was hard to fathom, but this was not my place to address. I decided to stick to generic comments, and scan the area for his sister.
‘Hey, you don’t need to worry.’
‘It's not you. It's this place. We moved here twelve years ago. I thought it was simpler. More relaxed. But there's too much to do. There's so much to get prepared for. How can we go back, knowing what’s there?’
He looked out to the water.
‘It’s OK. You don’t need to worry about me. I am just going to sit here a little longer.’
‘Where’s your sister?’
She’s gone on ahead. If you see her, will you let her know that I am still here?’
‘Of course. Are you sure you are OK? Don’t go any closer to the water.’
I touched his shoulder. Even through his shirt his skin was sunburn warm
‘Yeah, I am fine. I just want to sit here a little longer. I can’t see why anyone cares so much.’
‘OK. Don’t go closer.’
I thought it best to go on ahead.
Finding his sister took focus over the scenery. Something rustled in the thin tree line. I called out about the boy by the lake to no response.
You can complete a whole circle of Hara Pol in under an hour. I went on further than my starting position. Just to check.
My footprints and tangled marks on the sand was all that remained on the beach. I called out a few times, and my voice echoed over the lapping waves.
I still had the police in my recent call list. The line was tinny, and I wasn't sure if they agreed to send someone out. I squeezed the steering wheel on my return to the car, and thought of dark shapes and swirling waters.
Hara Pol is a wonderful walk. But please stay safe.
:::That boy Barbara. He reminded me of Archie is so many ways. He had his tricky moments too. I remember when he cut his hand on a glass and did not want to tell me. Didn’t want to cause a fuss. I found the dried up bloody tissues in the bathroom.
Too heavy? Can focus more on scenery if you want. I took a gorgeous photo of the lake on the drive home. Can you see where the ground is dug up? What did that?:::
