Tuesdays and Tuna Cans
A Young Man Learns the Uncommon Language of Love
Liam, the young man, laughed. “At 27, I’ve seen a lot, old timer. There are dates, flings, and everything else. It didn’t feel real at all.”
The old man, who looked like a well-used book, laughed. “Boy, love isn’t a box. You can’t just pick it up off the shelf. It sneaks up on you like a lost cat pleading for food.”
Liam sat back on the park bench. “Well, maybe I’m allergic to strays after all. I only get scratches.”
It got easier for the old man to smile. “Perhaps you haven’t opened the tuna can yet. What do you want to find, huh?”
Liam sighed. “Maybe fireworks. Something that sings and stops the world.”
The old man’s eyes shone. “There it is, the Hollywood version. Son, love isn’t always exploding. It burns slowly, like a fire in the winter. Even when you’re by yourself, it’s the quiet times that make you smile.”
Liam thought about this. “Silent times, huh? It sounds pretty dull.”
The old man’s eyes became far away. “Not if you tell the right person about them. It’s magic to spend a dull Tuesday night with someone who makes you laugh and knows when you need to be alone.”
Liam’s lips were touched with a wry smile. “Magic, huh?” “You don’t paint a very pretty picture.”
The old man laughed, and a dry rasp came out of his mouth. “Glamour wears off, son. There is real magic that stays with you long after the sparkles are gone. That shared look across a busy room can make your heart skip a beat, or the sound of their laugh can make even the worst days better.”
Liam moved his finger slowly across the worn backrest of the bench. “So it’s not about big signs?” “No grand claims or heart-stopping adventures?”
The old man’s eyes had a flash of joy in them. “Those are fine, lad; they add a little spice to the stew.” “But little things are what make love real. It’s remembering their favorite coffee order, putting a funny note in their bag, or just being there for them when they feel like the world is falling apart.”
Liam looked down at his hands, and a longing look crossed his face. “My search may not have been for the right things.” “In my haste to find fireworks, I may have missed the morning.”
The old man nodded, and there was a bit of sadness in his eyes. “Sometimes, the most beautiful things in life are the ones we overlook.” He was quiet for a moment, and his eyes were fixed on something far away. “You know, I once met a woman ….”
Liam’s head snapped up, and his sadness turned to interest. “You did?” Did she turn your Tuesdays into magic?”
On the old man’s lips was a smile that was both sad and happy. “The most magical Tuesdays I could have ever dreamed of.” “But that’s a story for another time, kid.” He winked, and a hint of fun came back into his eyes. “Besides, wouldn’t it be more fun if you discovered your magic first?”
© Shuvranil Sanyal, 2024
