A Bad Day at the Park

A Bad Day at the Park

         An unusual bright and warm day for the season before winter brought a stop to unexposed skin. No one wore a jacket. Long-sleeves and jeans lost fabric becoming short-sleeves and shorts, exposing youthful flesh.

         City dwellers escape to the park paying homage to the day; some bring their dogs to the pond, some bring friends, while others read peacefully. Joggers run around. At the park's center, a body lays out in a summer style two-piece. Her bronze faded from tanning-bed abuse.

         A jogger with sunglasses runs towards the sun bathing beauty. He taps her back. She turns and smiles. He leaps on her and holds her down. She makes a sound but stops; he thrusts with a sinister smile. Some frat boys with a thin yellow bat cheer while others look away with disgust.

         "Mommy...what are they playing?" A boy asks innocently.

         "Stop looking...we're leaving."

         Two wet dogs hump. Their owners rush, to stop the disgrace.

         The jogger with sunglasses shudders then runs out of the park. No one chases him. The girl lays in shock. The day dwindles and the girl's color fades but everyone leaves for dinner because the show is over.