The man in the park became perplexed at what he was seeing. The beat of his heart started tearing at the walls of his chest. The well within him began to overflow and as he started crying the heavens opened and rain began to fall.

Patricia and Mark lay in the pouring rain chatting and laughing, their companion forgotten. Suddenly in the distance they heard the ringing of the cathedral bell and were shocked when they realized it was very late.

“Oh  my God! Is it that late Mark?”

“Shit! Patricia, I’ve got to go now!

“But you are soaked, why not….”

“No, no, don’t worry, let’s go. I’ve got dry clothes in my vehicle.”

“But look at me!” Patricia cried out. “My husband will….”

“Patricia let’s go!”

“I’ll walk…go ahead.” Patricia kissed him on his cheek. Mark cupped her face and returned her kiss. He didn’t want to leave her alone but he knew he would be in trouble with his girlfriend if he went home any later.

“Are you sure Pat? It’s really late.”

“I said to go!” Patricia looked up at him and smiled, “I’ll be ok.”

“I love you Patricia, I love you.”

“Sssh, love you too, now go!” Patricia commanded.

She watched as Mark vanished down the deserted street before she started on her journey. But then she remembered. The man! She turned around instantly and was shocked to see that he was still there. Oh shit! She said to herself when she realized that from where he was sitting he saw everything. She felt ashamed.

For some unknown reason Patricia stood there studying the features of the man in the semi-darkness. Something looked strange yet ver familiar about him. Then she realized; the hat! She knew  he didn’t have a hat on his head when she arrived at the park but as she stood there peeping at him she noticed that a hat was tilted in his face. Fear began to consume her. She stood there frozen, wondering what to do. This man was becoming mysterious. Should I walk over to him and ask if he is ok, she wandered to herself. Her mind told her to run. But her feet started carrying her to where the lonely man was sitting. The nearer she approached, the faster her heart raced, and the man made no sign of movement.

When she was two feet away the man got up instantly, took off his hat, and welcomed Patricia to wounded eyes. Patricia gasped, their eyes locked and before she could speak, he slapped her angrily across her face. The blow was like lightening.

“How could you!” he shouted, “You whore!”

She staggered and screamed.

The man balanced her back to her feet before she fell and shouted “Speak!” She started trembling.

 “Speak now I said!” the man angrily commanded.

“I…I’m…” but before she could speak she felt another sharp blow hit her face.

He started shaking her uncontrollably; she started getting dizzy, her knees were getting weak.

“Stop, Please Maxwell…please stop.” It was a quiet shout as she fainted in his arms.

Maxwell held his wife tightly and wept!