“Enough, I’m done! How much longer can I take it? The child, always needing something’help me, help me’ while all I want is to go out like I used to! I want affection! I work all day! I want to come home to my loving wife, a woman Ill grab a bite at a mates first, then find some young thing bloody hell” Sitting behind the wheel, fuming over how today had been the final straw in his marriage, Edward took a sharp drag on his cigarette.
Their story was as old as time. They met, fell head over heels, passion overtook sense, protection was forgottenand a few months later, she showed him two lines.
“Of course, keep it. Well manage,” Edward had said confidently, and all the aunts and uncles nodded in agreement, as if to say, “Well help, just give us grandchildren.”
Then came the wedding, the due date, happy tearsa son! And just like that their carefree happiness ended. His wife turned into a worn-out hen: sleepy, unkempt, the baby always crying, even at night, her endless pleas”help me, help me.”
Where had his girl gone? Their families vanished the moment they were needed leaving them alone with parenthood.
“Im not ready!” Edward told his wife today before slamming the door in her face, leaving her holding their newborn.
The screech of brakesa dark, hunched figure appeared in front of the car.
“Have you lost your mind, mate?!” Edward jumped out and rushed toward the man.
The stranger straightened, his aged eyes sorrowful as he whispered,
“Yes.”
Stunned, Edward hesitated.
“Sir, do you need help? Are you alright?”
“I dont want to live anymore.”
“Come now, dont talk like that. Let me drive you home? Maybe I can help,” Edward said, guiding the old man gently to the car.
“Tell me, whats troubling you?” Edward exhaled smoke.
“Its a long story.”
“Ive got time.”
The old man studied Edward, then glanced at the photo hanging above the dashboard.
“Fifty years ago, I met a girl. Fell hard, everything moved fastbefore we knew it, we were married, had a child, a son, an heir youd think that was happiness, wouldnt you?”
“But I wanted it like beforelove, passion, all fresh and exciting. My wife was exhausted, the baby needy, the house a mess I left it all to her, never lifted a finger.”
“Found another woman at work, carried on an affair my wife found out. Divorce. Nothing lasted with the other one, but I didnt careplenty more fish in the sea.”
“She remarried, grew happier. My son called another man ‘Dad’ and I didnt care.”
“And then what?” Edward lit another cigarette, tense.
“Me? I kept at itno family, no wife, no children. Todays my sons fiftieth. Went to wish him wellhe wouldnt even let me in,” the old man wept. “My own fault. He said, ‘Youre no father to me. Go on, keep living for yourself.'”
“Where should I take you, sir?” Edward drummed his fingers on the wheel.
“Just here. Dont worry about me.” The old man stepped out and shuffled toward a block of flats.
Edward waited until he disappeared inside, then turned the car around. He stopped at the shops, bought flowers.
“Forgive me,” he murmured, kneeling before his sobbing wife. “Rest, love.”
Taking their son from her arms, he carried him to the nursery, rocking him gently, humming in a rough voice: “Hush now, little one, close your eyes”
The startled child soon dozed off, his tiny hand resting on Edwards pounding heart. Gazing down, Edward felt a fierce ache”I want to watch my son grow. I want to hear him call me ‘Dad.'”
“Rescuing another lost soul?” An elderly woman smiled as she opened the door for her husband, who hung up his coat with a chuckle.
“Aye. Someones got to teach the young ones wisdom.”
“And how do you know who needs saving?”
“I needed it myself at that age.”
“Come, herosuppers ready. And dont forget, tomorrows our sons birthday. No rescues then,” she said fondly.
“Wouldnt miss it. Fifty years for our boy, our love. How could I forget?” Wrapping an arm around her, the old man followed her to the kitchen, still smiling.
And thats the tale as it happened. Believe it or notthats up to you.
