Date: September, 1983.

It was night. Ten o'clock at night. It was a little cold. The park was empty. The lamps illuminated the area, but they only denoted loneliness, emptiness. On one of the benches there was a young man, who may have been in his 20s. The young man was crestfallen. He did not seem to be in good health. He looked sad too...

Mathias, who was passing by, saw him. Mathias was returning home after buying some things he had forgotten when he went out shopping several hours ago. His mom scolded him for forgetting, but let's ignore this. Let's focus on the present.

Mat saw him, and felt a little sorry for him. He looked quite lonely and overwhelmed by something. For that reason, he went to sit on the same bench, in the other corner. At first, he hesitated to do so, but in the end he did.

- Good evening, - said Mat, smiling.

The man looked at him, and was a little annoyed.

- Hey, kid. Please, leave me alone...

- Ah... I can't. - he replied. - You look quite lonely... And sad... That's why I wanted to keep you company. My mom told me that if you feel sad, you should get some company, talk to someone.

- I understand. - said the man.

He no longer seemed upset, but...

- Kid, you see... I appreciate your kindness, but... I don't think you should meddle with me.

- Huh? And why not?

- You see... - the man said, hesitating whether he should say it. - I... I have AIDS. That's why you should stay away.

- I understand that it is not contagious by air, or contact... Or at least, that's what I read. So yeah, I can accompany you. – he sat on the bench.

- I see... - the man replied. – You seem pretty smart.

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- Not really. Haha. - Mathias said, somewhat embarrassed. - I read some things now and then... My grades are average at best, and I tend to be kind of dumb. Even my friends tell me that sometimes.

- Ah, I see. Haha.

- But... you know? - Mathias said to him, now serious. - I think it's pretty unfair that people treat you horribly just for having that... I'm sure you've been through a lot, but you shouldn't have to do it alone...

The man, hearing that, did not answer. He only sighed and looked up at the sky. Despite the illumination of the town, a few stars could be seen. The man seemed to be lost in thought.

Out of nowhere, still looking up at the sky, he said to Mat:

- The doctors told me that this could be my last year. That's why I decided to come here, to this town. I was born here, here is my family that I hadn't seen for several years for... Certain reasons. But... When I visited them, and then I told them that I had it, they... Ah, I'll just say that they made me leave home. To be honest... I don't even know what I went to see them for...

- That's... Horrible... To be rejected by your own family... But... At least you have your friends, right?

- Yes. I'm staying at the home of one of them. But... Even she doesn't want to get too close to me.

- I see...

- But at least I'm talking to someone, to you. - the man said, smiling. - Thank you, really. But... I still don't think you should be anywhere near me...

- Everyone deserves to have someone to talk to, to feel appreciated, especially when things get really tough. That's why I'm here. - Mathias told him.

- Heh, I understand. - the man said. - You are a good person.

- I guess... - Mat told him.

After that, they started chatting about various things: telling each other anecdotes, what they liked, movies, and so on. All this brought a certain calmness to the man, as he was even laughing with Mat.

At that, the man stood up.

- Well, it's a little late now. - he said and started to leave. - So... I'll see you. Take care of yourself.

- You too, sir. - Mat told him. - And you know, if you want to talk again another day, I'm always around.

- I will keep it in mind. Goodbye.

And he left.

Despite this, he never saw him again. It was as if he had disappeared. Although, regardless of whether or not he had left a mark on that man, he at least tried to lessen his burden, accompanying him and trying to understand him.