Jan sat on a bench and under the sun’s peak light. This was his lone moment before what he felt was the “leap of faith.”
Meanwhile, joyful school children ran along the manicured lawns. Elderly Danish tourists killed time before their departing bus. The regulars read the news in Prague and enjoyed ice cream cones. Portly women with round ’70s shades used colorful rose-printed scarves to cover their over dyed hair. Another day in the Franciscan Gardens.
For them, it was normal but for Jan, the next half hour would be the longest in the millennium. He sat on the bench with legs stretched out but with crossed arms. It was almost as if he hugged himself. Then he let his face catch the rays and took a deep breath.
Next to him sat a tourist. This was her last day in his city before her own leap of faith.
Her legs showed new varicose veins earned from the long walks. With nothing else planned, she wandered into the Franciscan Gardens. She needed the rest. So she took off her sandals and lifted her skirt.
Jan noticed her.
“The sun is good today,” said Jan.
“Oh, you speak English. Yes, the sun is good. I’ve been walking for two weeks now. I need the sun to cover my veins.”
“Oh, is that why you do it?”
“Yeah, I need the camouflage.”
Both laughed.
“Where did you come from?” asked Jan.
“I was in Berlin and this is my first time in Prague. It’s really my first solo trip.”
“You?”
“I’m from Czechoslovakia but moved to the city.”
“Good for you. It’s really lovely here.”
“Yeah, things are good.”
“What do you do?” she asked.
“I started my own company. I do business development for the internet.”
“Good for you. It must be a lot of work. Glad you came to the Gardens to clear the mind.”
He laughs. “Well, I’m actually going to meet a woman in a couple of minutes. I here waiting before going over to her. My mind is not clear.”
Jan rubs his eyes and forehead.
She now laughs. “Like a lover?”
“Well, I want to be a lover for her. I don’t know why I’m saying this to you.” He laughs.
“Oh don’t worry. She must be special. It’s ok to be nervous. I’m also hoping to meet someone as well. I know how you feel.”
They both laugh again.
So Jan retells how he had met her once but he wasn’t ready. Now he hadn’t seen her for half a year and felt that it was the right time. To prove his interest he sent her 200 roses.
Now he worried. He was so busy working and hadn’t taken care of his body. Thoughts of his unattractiveness had caused him to feel ugly.
“You sent her 200 roses!?
“Yes, I feel it in my heart. I feel it in my chest. I think she’s the one.”
“You’ve won her already. Guys don’t send roses anymore. Don’t worry. If she’s meeting you, she’s interested.”
She now turns her whole body toward him to look him up and down.
“I’ve been walking the streets of your city for four days. You by far are the best looking man I’ve seen so far in Prague. Don’t worry, you are good!”
He laughs and gives her many thanks.
“Believe me, you don’t think she’s nervous? You are good looking, starting a business and send her 200 roses!”
He laughs again.
“Listen, I’m just like you. I met someone once, we’ve been writing for years and now I’ve asked him to meet me tomorrow. I don’t know what will happen, but I’m going anyway.”
“He’s written all this time?
“Yes.”
“He doesn’t know he’s in love.”
“It’s ok.”
“My name is Jan, thank you.”
“Good luck but you don’t need it.”
Jan shook her hand and had his appointment. She left and saw another city.
jumahchaguan 