Matthew returned home, his keys rattling in his hand as he stepped into the quiet hallway. He paused, puzzled the house was oddly still. There was no sign of his wife, nor could he hear the cheerful babble of their one-year-old son. A prickling worry crept over him, twisting his stomach with unease.
Driven by concern, Matthew crossed the street and knocked on the door of their neighbour, Mrs. Harris. Just as his fist tapped the wood, Mrs. Harris opened the door herself, andastonishinglyshe had Matthews little boy perched on her hip, smiling up at him with wide, trusting eyes.
It transpired that Matthews wife had hurried out on urgent business, leaving their son safely in Mrs. Harriss care.
Although Matthew was no stranger to nappies and bedtime routines, he couldnt shake the gnawing question: what could have prompted his wife to leave, so abruptly, without a word? Still, a small wave of relief washed over him when he discovered shed thoughtfully left a meal for him in the microwave.
As the mantle clock ticked on half an hour, an hour, two, five Matthews unease spiralled. He tried his wifes mobile time and time again, but every call went unanswered. The hours inched by, each one deepening his worry. At last, he managed to settle his sleepy son into his cot, but sleep eluded him; he sat, waiting, nerves wound tight as violin strings.
Finally, the phone rang, startling him. His heart leapt. Snatching up the receiver, Matthews questions tumbled out in a rush where was she, what had happened, why hadnt she called? But on the other end, his wife sidestepped every question. Her voice was cool, distant. She told him, with finality, that she wouldnt be returning home. She had decided to leave their son with Matthew for good.
Shocked to his core, Matthew clung to the phone. Was this some cruel joke? But the dead, unyielding silence after she hung up told him it was all too real. Standing alone in the dim light of the kitchen, Matthew faced the crushing reality: from now on, he would bear the full weight of parenthood, becoming both mother and father to the little boy sleeping in the next room.
