“A man has started living with an underage girl! Come quickly!”thats what the neighbours reported to the police. “Theres a man next door with a young girl! You need to check it out!” they insisted.
After getting married, my wife and I spent months searching for a flat and finally decided to take out a mortgage for one. For a long time, I went there alone to oversee renovations and manage the workers. My wife visited less often, so I became acquainted with our neighboursan elderly couple. Since we didnt know anyone else in the area, we thought it would be nice to celebrate moving in by inviting them over.
The moment they sat down at the table and met my wife, their behaviour changed. I found their odd manner a bit unsettling, but my wife distracted me with her soft kisses and warm embraces. They left in a hurry, and we were too wrapped up in our happiness to dwell on it.
Early the next morning, a loud knock at the door startled us awake. It was clear our new life wasnt starting as smoothly as wed hopedstanding on the doorstep was a local constable, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Good morning, Im the neighbourhood constable. Heres my badge. May I see your marriage certificate with your wife?” he asked. Thoroughly confused, I rummaged through unpacked boxes until I found it ten minutes later.
He studied my wife and the certificate closely, raised an eyebrow, and finally said, “Thank you for cooperating. Thats all I needed.”
“Sorry, but whats this about?” I asked.
“We received a report that a man was living here with an underage girl, likely under sixteen.”
I burst out laughing at the absurditymy wife was actually a year older than me! I was 22, and she was 23. Shes petite with a youthful face, and without makeup, wearing a ponytail, she could easily pass for a schoolgirl. Meanwhile, the stress of managing the flat for months had aged me prematurelyexhaustion and an unshaven beard made me look middle-aged.
Now, Ill make sure to get proper rest and shave, so I dont end up looking like my darling wifes father.
