They had all been milling about for a while now. Not saying much, just looking up at the lights above them and the people passing by around them. It wasn't as if they hated each other or has some other reason not to talk with one another. Just, no one had thought of it.
Abe was new however, and the silence bored him. He turned to Frank near him. “So what brought you here?”
Frank blinked, staring for a moment. “What?”
“You know, we all came here for one reason or another, so what brought you to this place?”
Frank stayed quiet.
Abe sighed. “All right, look. See, I’m here because the guy I was hanging out with decided to show off to some of the girls he and his buddy were hanging out with so he skipped it across the fountain. And here I am. Pretty simple, right? So now it’s your turn.”
“Um, okay...I guess,” Frank mumbled. “I was with a mom and her son. The little man wanted to throw something in, so she gave him it and he threw it in deep. I was really glad to see how happy he was afterwards.” Frank smiled, gazing toward the edge.
“See, that’s a charming story. Says a lot about you.” Abe nodded, smiling. “I bet no one knows that about you, huh?”
“Um...I guess.”
“Hey George, you heard that right?” Abe called to George who was resting nearby. “Did you know that about Frank?”
“Can’t say I did,” George said, rousing himself from his nap.
“Now what about you George? What’s your deal?” Abe prodded.
“So I guess we’re doing this now?” George sighed. “Welp, if I remember right, I was palling with a guy named Bryan at the time. He tossed it in wishing to get together with a some girl named Molly.”
“Oh hey, that’s really funny!” Dwight said from his spot. “A girl named Molly tossed it in to wish to have a successful marriage to a guy named Bryan. Maybe it’s the same two.”
“Well then don’t I feel lucky.” George laughed.
“It would explain why she used something so uncommon,” Abe mused.
“It’s nice to see that some actions are so universal. That make those kinds of wishes in Canada as well.” Liz said, inserting herself into the conversation. Tom rested near her.
“Speaking of uncommon, it’s not often we see someone like you around here Liz. Care to share with us?” Abe asked.
“No trouble at all. I must say, however, I have changed company a few times recently. I came to the states with a college student from Canada. However, she used it to call home from the airport and I didn't see where she went off to. At the airport I met a man calling his wife and traveled with him a bit, then there was the incident at the soda machine where I met a very proper young girl. I came with her to this mall and lost track of her at the candy machines before making the acquaintance of an elderly man with a British accent. He used it to wish for a chance to see his grandchildren in London again.”
“That’s quite the adventure Ms. Liz,” Frank piped up.
“It was a nice chance to meet so many interesting people,” She agreed. “Tom and I had a very pleasant chat while in the company of that nice English man, didn't we Tom?”
“Indeed, a truly enlightening discussion we had.” He smiled at her. “One I enjoyed very much.”
“What about Helen and Other George?” Dwight said. His voice was quiet. “They’re just sort of by themselves over there.”
“Well, we all have a story. Let’s see if I can get theirs.” Abe waved at the two. “Hey guys, want to join the party?”
Other George looked at him. His eyes were weary. “Thanks, but ours isn't so cheery as all yours. We’ll stay here if that’s all right.”
Abe shook his head. “Come on, I know that I want to hear it. We all know not everything in life is perfect. We've been around for a while. And it helps to share with friends.”
Helen made a few gestures from behind Other George. He sighed and nodded. “I suppose you’re right Helen.” He made his way over to the growing group. “Ours comes from a wish just like many of yours, but with less hope. We were traveling with a father. He had come here to build a bear for his son at that one store. The bear was brown and soft, and he got it a super hero costume. We heard that cashier ask who it was for and the father told about his son in the hospital. The conversation had made him tear up, and by the time he tossed it with his wish, he was wiping away some tears.”
“What was his wish?” Frank asked.
“That he’d make it in time to give his son the bear.”
The group was quiet. Liz dabbed at her eyes before passing the handkerchief to Dwight who was crying openly.
“Thank you for sharing,” Tom said. “It’s a touching story to be sure.”
“See, this is why I wanted to ask you all your stories,” Abe said, smiling. He looked at those gathered around him. “We've all got stories, people that we've met, places we've been, and we've been a part of the live of those around us. I think, I think that while we here, we can share those stories with each other, and maybe find something in it for each of us.”
He saw the others smiling, some nodding.
“Let’s enjoy each others’ company for as long as it lasts. Okay?”
