Youre not really my husband, Harry
An elderly woman sits beside her husband’s bed, gently wiping his fevered forehead with a damp cloth.
“Harry, there’s something I’ve always wanted to confess to you, but never had the courage. I deceived you, Harry youre not really my husband!”
The old man opens his eyes, looking at her in surprise.
“Please, dont interrupt me now. If we part forever, Ill never have a chance to repent. Remember when you wandered into our village by accident just after the war? I was stunned at first, but then rushed to embrace you. You looked so much like my husband! I had received a telegram saying hed died, but then you arrived, alive, and I thought there was a mistake. I ran to you, but quickly realised Id got it wrong. I was embarrassed and apologised, but I let you sleep in the barn for the night.
The next morning, you tried to fix the barn door and a beam fell on you. I thought Id have to bury you, too, but you were breathing you were alive. I called the doctor and he said you were a tough bloke, got off lightly, only your memory suffered a bit. That was when I decided to say you were my husband. You were a strong, capable man and after the war, I couldnt manage alone with two children. I said it and you believed me. My conscience plagued me for a while, but wed already got used to each other and grown fond, and I didnt want to change anything. Only now do I confess, deciding all this for you. Perhaps your life wouldve turned out differently
Harry watched his wife in silence and then burst out laughing.
“You silly old girl! Why would I want another life? Ive loved you all my days. Its true I wandered into your village by chance, and when I saw you, I was smitten, but had no idea how to approach you. I thought Id help around the place, maybe youd notice and not send me away. Then that blasted beam hit me everything went dark. When I came to, there was the doctor, and you fussing over me. I asked him to tell you a little fib about my amnesia, so I could stay in your house longer. And then you surprised me by welcoming me as your husband, and I was delighted that I didnt have to invent anything.”
“You sly dog,” the old woman smiled. “Why didnt you say something earlier? We could have had a laugh together.”
“I wanted to, but never found the right moment. Raising the older kids, then we had three more together,” Harry smiled, twirling his moustache. “All our lives we carried around these dreadful secrets, but they werent secrets after all.”
“Well, at least we finally sorted everything out. Otherwise, we’d have amused the guardian angels with our stories,” she said warmly. “Harry, just dont die. Dont leave me here alone I wont manage without you.”
“Oh, stop your fretting. Everythings going to be just fine,” her husband reassured her. “Enough sitting here, go get some sleep. Things always look better in the morning.”
They lay down together, but she slept restlessly, troubled by anxious thoughts swirling in her grey head and keeping her awake. At dawn, she woke early. Her husbands bed was empty. Her heart tightened with worry. She looked out into the garden, and there he was, sitting on the porch, smoking. She sighed in relief. This time, the grim reaper passed them by, so theyll live a while longer, creak along together.
