The two women walked across the carpark arm in arm. One, her arm resting on the far shoulder of the other, while the other has an arm wrapped around her companion’s waist. They wind their way through the spaces left vacant and stop as they half cross a laneway.
You look closer and realise it is not as it first seems or you first thought. One is supporting the other. They had walked together yes, but then you can see the taller and younger of the two has a body whose language and shape can only suggest, tears are falling.
There are times where only the consciousness and warmth of another and in a loving embrace can the mind and heart allow themselves to release. And that is what was happening now.
In this carpark with its smell of dust, taste of dirt and spaces of collected rubbish, the emotions so long held, would no longer be captive inside. Because the time was right for her to let go of the emotions, time for the spilling out of the deep and desperate release of anguish and of pain.
And the other woman knew that.
Without embarrassment, without judgement and without out concern for who was around or what they may think. She stood there cradling the other as the howling of despair poured out onto the stained concrete roadway.
In the car park a driver rounded the corner, his car moving slowly as he looked for an unoccupied space. As his movement is noticed and he see them, his eyes see those of the consoling companion.
He stops, and turning his engine off. And putting up a single hand, signals he is stopping and they are not to move. He like the other woman had recognised what was needed and it was also his intent to let things be and let them happen.
And in that carpark, in that simple act. He showed love for another human being. And compassion. And humanity.
(Copyright 2021 Kevin Palmer, all rights reserved)