Walton Merritt

Marrying a Disabled Man: A Story Thank you all for your support, your likes, reviews, subscriptions, and a HUGE thanks for all your generous donations from me and my five feline companions. Please feel free to share any stories you enjoy on social media—every little bit brings joy to this author! My daughter came home late from her shift at the hospital, where she works as a nurse in trauma care. She spent ages in the shower, then wandered into the kitchen in her dressing gown. “There are some meatballs and pasta in the frying pan,” I offered, trying to read her face for clues, “Long day, Lucy? You look shattered. Is everything alright?” “I’m not hungry. I’m already hideous as it is, and if I eat now, no one will ever look at me,” Lucy muttered darkly, pouring herself a cup of tea. “Don’t talk nonsense,” I protested, “There’s nothing wrong with you, love. You’ve got lovely eyes, and your nose and lips are perfectly fine. Stop being so hard on yourself!” “It’s just… all my friends are married already, and I’m not. The only men interested in me are the awful ones. The ones I like don’t even notice I exist. What’s wrong with me, Mum?” she frowned, looking to me for answers. “You just haven’t met your person yet, that’s all! Your time will come,” I tried to reassure her, but Lucy just grew more upset. “My eyes are small, my lips are thin, and just look at my nose! If we had money, I’d get plastic surgery. But we’re poor, so I’ve decided I’ll marry some guy with a disability. There are men at the hospital who’ve lost limbs after car accidents—most of their girlfriends leave them. What else am I supposed to do? I’m thirty-three, I can’t wait around forever!” “Oh, Lucy, don’t say that,” I blurted out in distress, “Look at your father—his legs aren’t the best, either. I was hoping at least my son-in-law would be able to help in the garden at the allotment. It really would make a difference. How are we supposed to manage otherwise?” Then I caught myself and rushed to explain, “Don’t get me wrong, Lucy, but why tie yourself to someone with a disability? What about Alex from next door? He’s a good lad, has had his eye on you for ages. He’s strong, your babies would be healthy, and you know—” “Mum, please!” Lucy protested. “Your Alex can’t hold down a job, he loves a drink, and what would I even talk to him about?” “You don’t have to chat much! I’ll tell him to go dig over the garden and then come in for tea. Or I’ll send him to the shop. He’s a good sort, really. Maybe you two would get on?” I suggested hopefully, but Lucy just pushed her tea away and stood up. “I’m off to bed, Mum. Honestly! I thought you at least believed there was nothing wrong with me, but you’re just like everyone else—you think I’m an ugly duckling, too.” “Lucy, darling, don’t be silly,” I called after her, but Lucy just waved her hand. “I’m done, Mum!” And she shut her bedroom door right in my face. She lay awake for hours, thinking about the young man who’d arrived at the hospital recently. He’d lost his leg below the knee—a slab had crushed him in a derelict building due for demolition. Nobody came to visit this young fellow, not even thirty, and at first, after surgery, he’d look at Lucy with pleading eyes, clutch her hand. But then, once the shock wore off, he just stared at the ceiling, silent and withdrawn. For some reason, Lucy felt sorrier for him than for the others—maybe because no one ever came to see him. “Do you think I’ll walk again?” he asked, not looking at her. “Of course you will, you’ll heal—you’re young,” Lucy said, trying to sound certain. “They all say that. Try living without a leg—see how it feels,” he snapped, turning his face to the wall like it was her fault. “Well, why did you go in there, anyway?” she fired back. “Thought I saw something,” he muttered, and now whenever she entered his room, he’d turn to face the wall. Lucy couldn’t help but notice his eyes—icy blue and cold, but his face was handsome. It seemed so unfair, what had happened to him… “You pity me, don’t you? I can see it,” he said, catching her gaze. “That’s all anyone can do now—pity me. No one could ever love me like this.” “No one loves girls like me, either, even with both arms and legs, because I’m just not right. No one even pities me—maybe I’d be better off missing a leg, at least then someone would feel sorry for me,” Lucy shot back, eyes burning with self-pity. But then, for the first time, Michael (that was his name) smiled at her. “You’re mad—you think you’re not attractive? I’d give anything to be with someone like you, honestly,” he said quietly. Lucy looked at him, bright-eyed, and for some reason, she believed him. So she blurted out, “Well, what if I chose you? Would you marry me?” Then, when he just stared at her, speechless, she added, “If you don’t answer, I’ll take that as a no!” She stood, headed for the door, her feelings hurt. Michael struggled up on his elbows, trying to sit up as if to chase after her, then, remembering the leg, he called out, “Lucy, marry me! I promise, soon no one will even guess about my leg. I’ll recover. Please, don’t go, Lucy…” Lucy stopped in the corridor, on the verge of tears—but somehow, she knew this was it. The One. It didn’t matter about noses or eyes or missing legs—they’d found each other. Her time had come, just like her mother had said… Michael threw himself into rehabilitation with determination. He wanted to marry this wonderful girl, to be strong for their future together. He longed for Lucy to feel needed and cherished. He needed her—he wanted nothing more than to live by her side. “Are you in love at last, sweetheart?” I asked her quietly one day, “Look at you, all glowing—didn’t you say you weren’t pretty?” Lucy didn’t try to deny it. She walked on air, her biggest wish now that Michael would manage with his prosthesis. They walked together more and more, starting in the hospital courtyard, then through the snow-covered, twinkling pre-Christmas streets… “That’s where the building collapsed on me,” Michael showed her one day. “Why did you go in there, anyway?” Lucy asked. “You’ll laugh—I saw a puppy in there, a black and white stray. I thought he’d freeze to death. I wanted to take him home—didn’t want to be alone anymore.” They saw a skinny dog nearby, watching them warily. “That’s probably him!” Michael grinned, and the dog trailed them all the way home. “At least Lucy’s found herself a lovely husband—good looking, younger than her, with his own flat and no mother-in-law!” her friends teased at the wedding. Lucy’s mother shed a tear when Michael called her “Mum.” Michael was raised in care and had no family of his own. He was kind, thoughtful—and most importantly, they truly loved each other. Allotment gardening didn’t matter anymore—though Michael took on every task happily and made a success of them all. Now Lucy, Michael, and their dog Kuzma live together. Soon, they’ll be four—their daughter is on the way! Never give in to despair. If you do, you might miss your chance at happiness. After all, life’s greatest beauty is its unpredictability…

Marrying a Disabled Man Thank you for your support, for the likes, for caring and for your thoughtful

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How to Set Your Husband Straight: A Story of Renewal, Five Cats, and Finding Strength After Illness

Keeping a Husband in Check. A Diary Entry Thank you, everyone, for your kindness, your likes, comments

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A House Full of Uninvited Guests: How My Husband’s Never-Ending Extended Family Turned Our Country Home into a Chaotic, Unexpected Community

Uninvited guests had overrun the house. Cant these lovely people live somewhere else? asked Julia, her

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How My Future Mother-in-Law Ruined Our Holiday: A Cautionary Tale of a Thailand Getaway with Unexpected In-Laws, Cancelled Plans, and a Family Invasion

Holiday Ruined by My Future Mother-in-Law 7th July Taking a trip alone with my daughter would be daunting

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“I Had Your Son, But We Don’t Want Anything from You,” the Mistress Called Nick looked at Laura with the eyes of a guilty puppy. — Yes, you heard right. Laura, I had an affair about six months ago. It was just a few casual meetings, nothing serious. And now—she’s had my son. Recently… Laura’s head spun. What a revelation! Her faithful, loving husband—now there’s a child with someone else! It took every ounce of her focus to grasp what he was saying. For several minutes, she tried to process her husband’s words. He sat opposite her, shoulders slumped, hands squeezed between his knees. He looked smaller than usual, as if the air had been sucked out of him. — A son, then,— Laura repeated. — You, a married man, have a new son. Born not to your wife—that is, not to me… — Laura, I honestly didn’t know. I swear. — Didn’t know where babies come from? You’re forty, Nick. — I didn’t know she… that she’d decide to keep it. We broke it off ages ago—she went back to her husband. I thought all was well. Then yesterday, the phone rings. “Nick, you have a son. Seven pounds, healthy.” And she hung up. Laura stood, her legs weak, knees wobbly as if she’d run a marathon. Outside, autumn was howling. She couldn’t help but admire the view—beautiful… — So what now? — Laura asked, not turning around. — I don’t know. — Great answer—from the man of the house. “Don’t know.” She spun on her heel. — Are you going to see them? At the hospital? Frightened, Nick met her gaze ashamedly. — She gave me the hospital address, said discharge is the day after tomorrow. She literally said: “Come if you want; don’t if you don’t. We want nothing from you.” Proud… Doesn’t want a thing… — “Nothing,” — Laura echoed. — Oh, the innocence. The front door banged in the hall—the older boys were home. Laura instantly pasted on a smile. She was good at this—years in business had taught her to keep a poker face even when the deal was crumbling. Her eldest—a tall, broad-shouldered lad of twenty—stuck his head in. — Hey, parents. Why the long faces? Mum, is there food? We’re starving from training. — Leftover dumplings in the fridge—heat them up, — Laura tossed. — Dad, you promised to check my old clunker’s carburettor, — the younger one thumped Nick on the shoulder. Laura watched the scene, heart twisting painfully. They called him Dad. Their real father had faded out of their lives years ago, only sending maintenance payments and occasional cards. Nick had raised them. Taught them to drive, patched up scraped knees, went to parents’ evenings, sorted their troubles. He was their real dad. Nick forced a smile: — I’ll look, Sanjay. Later. Let me finish talking with your mum. The boys left, rattling plates. — They love you, — Laura said softly. — And you… — Laura, don’t. I love them too. They’re my lads. I’m not going anywhere. I told you straight—I was out of my mind. A mistake. With her… it was just… temptation. — Temptation. Which now means nappy changes… Six-year-old Maisy dashed into the kitchen. That broke Laura’s armor. Daughter threw herself into Dad’s lap. — Daddy! Why are you sad? Did Mum tell you off? Nick hugged her, nose buried in her light hair. He lived for her. Laura knew: for Maisy, he’d fight lions. It was wild, unconditional fatherly love. — No, princess. We’re just having a grown-up talk. Go put a cartoon on—I’ll be right there. Once Maisy had run out, silence fell again. — Do you realise everything’s different now? — Laura asked. She sat down at the table. — I’m not leaving, Laura. I love you, I love the kids—I couldn’t do life without you… — That’s just words, Nick. Facts: you’ve got a son now. He’ll need a father. That woman says, “we don’t want anything now.” That’s hormones, elation, maybe a tactical move. Give it a month, six months—the child gets ill, grows up, needs money. She’ll ring. “Nick, he needs a winter coat.” Or “Nick, he needs a doctor.” And you’ll go. You’re just that kind. Honourable. Nick was silent. — And the money, Nick? — Laura lowered her voice—Where will you find it? He flinched—that was the sore spot. His business had collapsed two years earlier; Laura’s money had paid off the debts. Now he worked, hustled, earned, but it was pennies compared to what she brought in. The house, cars, holidays, kids’ education—she paid for all of it. He didn’t even have his own card—all his accounts were frozen by collectors; he used cash or Laura’s linked card. — I’ll find it,— he muttered. — Where? Taxi nights? Or will you raid my bedside drawer to support your love child’s family? Can you see how ridiculous that is? I fund the household and you use my cash to support your mistress’s love child? — She’s not a mistress! — Nick snapped.— It ended six months ago! — But a child binds people more tightly than any marriage licence. Are you going to the discharge? The question hung in the air. Nick rubbed his face. — I don’t know, Laura. Honestly. Human decency… I should. It’s hardly the baby’s fault. — Human decency, — Laura said wryly. — And what about human decency towards me? To Maisy? The boys? You’ll go, hold that bundle. That’s it. You’ll get drawn in. I know you—you’re sentimental. It’ll start once a week, then two, then weekends. You’ll lie—you’re staying late at work. While we all just sit here and wait. Laura got up, ran the tap, watched the water, turned it off. — She’s eight years younger, Nick. Thirty-two. She’s given you a son. Your own. My boys aren’t yours—though you raised them. But this one—your blood. And you think that means nothing? — Don’t talk nonsense. The boys are mine—I raised them. — Oh, come on! Every man wants a ‘proper’ heir. — We’ve got Maisy! — Maisy’s a girl… Nick leapt up. — Enough! Why are you chucking me out before I’ve even left? I said—I’m staying with the family. But I can’t just be heartless. There’s a living person there. Mine, yes. I’ve let you down—let everyone down. If you want—kick me out. I’ll pack and go now. I’ll stay at Mum’s, a mate’s, a bedsit—wherever. But don’t blackmail me! Laura froze, suddenly scared. If she said “go”—he’d go. Proud. Foolish, but proud. He’d end up there, no money, no home—and make a new life as a pauper-hero-emergency father. And that would be the end. And she didn’t want that. For all the hurt she loved him. The kids loved him. It takes seconds to smash things; life to mend them. How to live, afterwards, in a home echoing with his absence? — Sit down, — she said quietly. — Nobody’s kicking you out. Nick lingered a second, then sat. — Laura, forgive me. I’m a fool… — A fool, — she agreed. — But you’re our fool. The evening passed in a blur. Laura did homework with Maisy, checked her work emails, but her mind was elsewhere. She pictured the other woman. What was she like? Pretty, of course. Young. She was probably looking at that baby, thinking she’d won. Nothing needed from us! Of course—the flawless move. Don’t ask or beg, just announce: here’s your son, we’re proud, we’ll cope ourselves. Nothing gets to a man’s pride faster. He instantly wants to play the hero. Nick tossed and turned, slept fitfully. Laura lay awake in the dark. She was forty-five—lovely, polished, successful, but old age wasn’t far off. And that other one—youth… *** By morning it felt worse. Laura couldn’t settle. The boys left, then Maisy suddenly acted up. — Daddy, do my plaits! — she demanded. — Mum does them wonky. Nick took the brush. His big hands—just as good at steering wheels as hammer handles—gently teased the fine hair. He plaited carefully, tongue sticking out with focus. Laura drank her coffee and watched. Here he was. Her husband—real, warm, hers. And somewhere else there was a child who had a claim on him too! How could that be? — Nick,— she said once Maisy had dashed off —We need to settle this. Now. He put the brush down. — I’ve thought all night. — And? — I’m not going to the hospital. Laura felt something inside her tighten, but showed nothing. — Why not? — Because if I go, I’ll give hope—to her, to myself, to the baby. I can’t father two homes. I don’t want to—I don’t want to lie to you, don’t want to steal time from Maisy or the boys. I made my choice eleven years ago. You’re my wife, my family’s here. — And that boy?— Laura was surprised at her own question. — I’ll support him financially. Officially, with child support, or we’ll open an account. But visits—no. Better he grows up not knowing me than waiting for me on weekends. And me—always glancing at my watch, desperate to get home to my real family. It’s fairer. Laura was quiet, twisting her wedding ring. — Are you sure? Won’t you regret it? — I will,— Nick admitted. — Of course I’ll wonder how he’s doing. But if I start going there, I’ll lose you. I know you won’t stand for it. You’re strong, Laura—but not made of stone. You’ll end up hating me—and I can’t bear that. God, I’m explaining terribly… He stood, came behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. — Laura, I don’t want another life. I have you—the kids. That… that’s the cost of my mistake. I’ll pay with money—only money—not with time, not love, not care. Laura put her hand over his. — You’ll pay? — she managed a wry smile. — I’ll earn it. I’ll make it work. I’ll never take a penny from you for my mistakes. That’s my problem, Laura. Finally, she felt calmer. Yes—maybe he’d hurt her, but these were the words she needed. She was never sharing her husband; she didn’t care about the other woman’s feelings. Had a child with a married man? Her problem, not Laura’s. *** Nick didn’t go to the hospital. The mistress bombarded his phone for weeks—shouting, crying, demanding why he hadn’t come. Nick was upfront: she could expect money, but there’d be no meetings. The calls stopped, and for the next six months she disappeared—her number unreachable. And that suited Laura just fine.

Ive given birth to your son, but we want nothing from you, said the voice down the phonea lovers voice.

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Gathered My Belongings and Set Off in Peace, My Wife Stated Firmly

I gathered my things and left peacefully, Lila finished, tapping the send button on her phone.

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The Peculiar Relative Who Stayed Too Long

Mom, what are you thinking?I burst out. You expect me to spend two weeks under the same roof with a complete stranger?

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Move to Your Own Space – Declared the Husband

“Move out to your own place,” Victor said, his voice flat as he sat down at the modest kitchen

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Dad Didn’t Keep His Promise

Dad didnt keep his promise, Natalie told her daughter, choosing her words carefully. Sometimes adults

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Happy People Always Smile

Emily watches the rain through the kitchen window a gentle summer drizzle that hasnt quite let the sun go.