The two men sat at a small table in the café.
They were both in their mid-thirties, both married, both had children, both worked locally and both had been best friends since their early school days. One joined the army straight out of school. One took an apprenticeship with a local engineering firm. They were of a similar build, except one wore a beard while the other was clean shaven. The beardless man was talking about his time in prison. The bearded man had heard his story before, but was always willing to listen. Although they met like this from time to time, their families didn’t socialize. Apart from their long-time friendship, they would talk about those things in their past that neither of them felt comfortable sharing with others.
Beardless had spent time in jail. He had been convicted of man-slaughter. He received a six-year sentence for his actions that lead to a man’s death. It had happened during a fight outside of a night club in a nearby city. What began as an argument inside had continued in the street after they were evicted from the premises. The dead man had hit the ground hard when he went down and died in the ambulance before reaching the hospital. Beardless had been married for two years at the time with his wife expecting their first child.
Bearded had been posted overseas and has vivid recollections of the killing that went on during his time there. Despite counselling, he has struggled to come to terms with what he had done. No amount of treatment has ridded him of the guilt and anguish felt about taking other people’s lives, even when they take place in a kill-or-be-killed scenario. His return home to his wife and child was a very difficult time for him. His nightmares started immediately and have been the cause of night-time chaos and disruption at home.
Beardless, who had taken a life illegally, had managed to move on with his life, thanks to the support of friends and family.
Bearded, who had taken a life legally, was struggling with his life and finding it hard to move on, despite the well intentioned support of friends and family.
They met from time to time to talk about those things in their past that neither of them felt comfortable sharing with others.
They had a common bond.
They were both killers.