Just Gardens

While waiting for the bus a man struck up conversation with me. It began with him asking if I knew how long we would be waiting. Moments before I had been on the other side of the street watching the bus I needed pass by. So I told him that it would be a while.

It was raining, but we were standing right next to a building that had a small ledge, so we were not getting very wet. The man carried a shabby, blue duffel bag and he was wearing a plaid coat that made me think of a lumberjack. He soon told me his name: Paul*. He owned a company called "Just Gardens by Paul". I think he had just started it up, but he already had plans for expansion. With great enthusiasm he told me he liked to build things, demonstrating vigorously with his hands. He wanted to branch into construction. Then he apologized for the wild hand motions. I said it was ok and that it is good to have passions. To which he asked what my passions were. And I sighed and said I still don't know. We talked about many things; his sister in Ottawa who was meeting with him about Native land claims (and how long they take), the fact that he was adopted, his childhood in Saskatchewan...

His dark eyes were lively, but glossy. He had been drinking -I could smell it on his breath, but this was not clear to me when I began to talk to him. He was also eager to know about me. He found out my first name when we introduced ourselves, but then later he asked about my "real" name. I said that Megan was my real name. He insisted that Megan was not my real name. I understood that he was asking about my last name after a bit. I said, "McDonald". He looked at my quizzically, so I pointed to the McDonald's Restaurant across the street. "Same as that" I said, and he understood and smiled a little. His face was worn. He had lived for a while- I estimated he was nearly 50.

He asked if I had any children. To my response of "no." He said "four?!" putting up 4 fingers. I laughed and argued with him. "No, I don't have any!" I said smiling. I asked if he had any. "Certainly, not. My bloodline ends here." Paul then told me about his views on kids: He said that there were too many kids in the world and that if he were to ever want kids then he would adopt. "Probably an Asian, or Malaysian, or 'Polynasian' " and he laughed. "Someone that sort of looks like me- that way there would be less questions". I agreed with him.

Paul asked where I was going. I had just bought some groceries and then I was going home to study. He asked about my program. He didn't seem sure that I would find a job with it. I shrugged and said "we'll see what happens". After asking about exams and essays, he told me about his university experience. He went to Trent for English Literature. But he only stayed for a year. He said it wasn't for him. We talked about how it's not for everyone. He said he was amazing at writing essays; it never took him more than one night. He told me the trick was to, "Just write. Don't worry about anything. If you just open up your brain and let things flow then you'll be amazed at what you can come up with". I said I'd have to try his way for my upcoming essay. Reminiscing made him laugh and he said, "I did way too much acid in those days". I laughed and then he said he was just kidding. I told him I'd heard that it was a good way to write creative papers. "Yeah... it is". And he laughed again.

*Name changed to protect privacy