Mum shared a secretshe’d bought a flat.
The flat was not far from town. She only asked us to keep the address to ourselves so no one would accidentally drop byespecially not my wifes parents, who were notorious for their drinking.
At first, I was unsure whether to be upset or pleased. No one gave me a choice. Like thieves at dawn, we moved our things quietly into this new home. I needed to find work nearby, and my wife was getting used to our altered surroundings. Each of us felt restless inside. What if her parents found us yet againwhat if they started turning up to visit?
I landed a job as a lift attendant. On my second day, with my mate, we had to rescue a lady who was trapped in the lift between floors.
We prised open the lift cabin and helped her out. She was profoundly gratefulshaken and frightened by the ordeal. I tried to calm her with kind, gentle words. She was nothing like anyone else. I didnt wish to part from her.
After that, I believed in love at first sight. I offered to walk her homeholding her lightly, as she could barely stand from shock. Her eyes shimmered with tears and she trembled all over. I only wanted to tell her gentle things, to embrace her. She slipped inside her house and the door closed quietly.
That evening, as I tucked my daughter into bed while my wife was in the bathroom, I found myself replaying the days events with a mix of sadness and nervous excitement. I couldnt get that peculiar girl out of my mind. I simply couldnt help myselfshe was lovely, tender, and fragile.
The next day, after work, I wandered to her doorstep again. I told the neighbour I was a distant relation from her hometown. In no more than ten minutes, I learned her husband was a lazy drunka proper sluggard, and that they had two children.
This made me strangely happy. It meant I could go home to my wife and child with a clear conscience. I didnt need anyone elses troubles or childrenI needed to live my own life, my own family.
I felt relieved…
