Harlan Covington

My Husband Only Ever Thinks of Himself: He Eats Absolutely Everything—Not Even Our Child Gets Any Leftovers — “Adam, where have all the bananas gone?” I ask my husband. — “I ate them because I fancied them.” — “Couldn’t you at least have saved one for our son’s afternoon snack?” — “You’re making a fuss over nothing. It’s not like they don’t sell bananas in the shop.” — “Then go and buy some.” — “I’ve got the football match on—how can I go?” This is how it always is in our family: cheese, biscuits, apples—I even have to hide food because with a father like this, my son could go hungry. We’ve been married for five years. Our son is nearly two. We have a mortgage, so money’s tight. My husband believes he’s the provider—he gave us our home. But in reality, he only sold his one-bedroom flat for the deposit; my parents helped too. My mum thinks Adam is a real egotist, and honestly, I kind of agree. One day we were preparing for a birthday party. I’m cooking for our guests, and he keeps wandering in and emptying the plates. The worst part: he got to the cake as well. I left it on the balcony since there was no room in the fridge. Brought it back to the kitchen to slice up—and saw all that was left was a piece of decorated chocolate. Imagine how embarrassed I was! This happens all the time. Yes, he earns money, but surely we can manage things sensibly and think about others. He always says, “Don’t worry! We’ll just buy more.” Okay, don’t care about me—but how can you not care about your own child? Especially when money’s tight and I have to make things last. In a week, we can go through a month’s worth of food. — “Why are you picking on him? He’s a man, let him eat. He earns the money. Instead of complaining, just cook more,” his mum defends him. But no matter how much you cook, he’ll never have enough—he eats everything. There’s no point in buying more, when we have a mortgage to pay, clothes and other household things to buy. Overall, I told my husband that if he does this one more time—I’m filing for divorce. We’ll split the flat, and each go our own way. He was offended and went running to his mum. Now my mother-in-law refuses to speak to me, but I think I’m right. What do you think?

My husband only ever thinks of himself. He polishes off all the food, not leaving anything, not even

La vida

09

Think Again! The Suitor Who Thought He Could Move Into My Flat and Live Off Me I was incredibly lucky – always goal-oriented, I managed to save up and buy my own place by 25. No help from mum and dad, no relatives pitching in – I did it all myself. When I met and fell for a guy, I was foolish enough to tell him I owned my flat. Still, I warned him I wouldn’t live in his place; if we wanted to move in together, he’d have to rent us something, and I’d let out mine to save up for a car. He agreed, saying he’d have money for rent soon and we’d live together. Six months later, he turned up at my door with a suitcase. Said he’d lost his job and was skint. He asked if he could stay with me for a while. Good thing he’s got parents! No, I didn’t let him move in. I reckon it was just an excuse to sponge off me, nothing more. In the end, I dumped him.

You wish! The cheek of himthinking he could shack up in my flat and sponge off me. I suppose I should

La vida

07

From the Time I Was a Little Girl, My Parents Told Me No One Needed Me and I Was Worthless – How I Proved My Critical Mother Wrong, Left My Home Town for London, and Built a Happy Family and Thriving Business on My Own Terms

Ever since I was a little girl, my parents would whisper that nobody needed me, that I was useless.

La vida

08

Natalie, You’ve Been Gone for Five Years—You Never Cared How I Was or What Became of Me Natalie and Ben had lived together for over five years. Ben didn’t earn much—his salary was rather modest, as he was an ordinary labourer. Natalie always dreamed of a comfortable, or even better, wealthy life, so she was thrilled whenever she met men more successful than her husband. One day, Natalie had incredible luck—she caught the eye of a wealthy businessman who promised her a fortune. She fell for his grand promises and left her poor husband to start a new life. Ben was devastated by his wife’s decision. He pleaded with his beloved, begging her not to leave. He promised her everything would change, that he’d work harder, switch jobs, work day and night if he had to, just to make her happy. But Natalie was unmoved—she was already dreaming of sailing white yachts and shopping in Europe’s finest boutiques. Her poor husband could never afford such luxuries. No vow of love or promise could persuade her. Five years later, now thirty-two, Natalie’s rich benefactor lost interest in her amidst a crowd of younger, more alluring women. He told Natalie she was too demanding and quarrelsome, and he lost all affection for her. Having no way to support herself in London, never having had a job in her life, Natalie decided to return to her ex-husband. After all, hadn’t he sworn eternal love and said his heart belonged to her forever? Surely he would be waiting for her. As Natalie approached the flat where she once lived, she heard footsteps and saw a woman open the door, holding a small girl. “Darling, we’ve talked about not opening the door alone,” the woman gently chided the child. “Can I help you?” she asked. Natalie stood speechless on the doorstep. “I’m looking for Ben. Is he home?” Natalie stammered, confused and uncertain. “Ben, someone’s here asking for you! What’s your name?” the woman called for Natalie’s ex-husband, then glanced back at the guest. “Natalie!” Ben said in surprise, then turned to the woman. “Love, could you go inside? I need to talk.” “Who was that?” Natalie asked in astonishment, watching as the woman carried the little girl away. “That’s my wife, Olivia, and in her arms is our daughter, Emily,” Ben replied. “You’re married? You have a daughter? You swore you would never love anyone the way you loved me!” “So many years have passed since that day! I was heartbroken at first, but then I realised life doesn’t end when someone leaves. That’s when I met Olivia, fell completely in love, and she made me happy. She gave me a daughter.” “And me? What about me?” “Natalie, you’ve been gone for five years and never cared how I was or what became of me. You ran after someone else’s money, and all you wanted was wealth and a lavish life. We may never have been rich, but that doesn’t excuse what you did. And now you’ve come back? Did you expect me to sit and wait for you all this time?” “I was foolish! I still love you!” “Natalie, enough of this act. Please go. I don’t need you, and I don’t want to see you. Your boyfriend dumped you, and that’s the only reason you’re here? It makes me sick. Please, just go.” Natalie burst into tears, consumed by her heartbreak and the pain of not being wanted, while Ben was glad to have finally moved on and found happiness—achieving closure and a sense of vindication.

Emily, you havent been around for five years nowyou dont care how Im living or whats become of me Emily

La vida

04

Natalie, You’ve Been Gone for Five Years—You Never Cared How I Was or What Became of Me Natalie and Ben had lived together for over five years. Ben didn’t earn much—his salary was rather modest, as he was an ordinary labourer. Natalie always dreamed of a comfortable, or even better, wealthy life, so she was thrilled whenever she met men more successful than her husband. One day, Natalie had incredible luck—she caught the eye of a wealthy businessman who promised her a fortune. She fell for his grand promises and left her poor husband to start a new life. Ben was devastated by his wife’s decision. He pleaded with his beloved, begging her not to leave. He promised her everything would change, that he’d work harder, switch jobs, work day and night if he had to, just to make her happy. But Natalie was unmoved—she was already dreaming of sailing white yachts and shopping in Europe’s finest boutiques. Her poor husband could never afford such luxuries. No vow of love or promise could persuade her. Five years later, now thirty-two, Natalie’s rich benefactor lost interest in her amidst a crowd of younger, more alluring women. He told Natalie she was too demanding and quarrelsome, and he lost all affection for her. Having no way to support herself in London, never having had a job in her life, Natalie decided to return to her ex-husband. After all, hadn’t he sworn eternal love and said his heart belonged to her forever? Surely he would be waiting for her. As Natalie approached the flat where she once lived, she heard footsteps and saw a woman open the door, holding a small girl. “Darling, we’ve talked about not opening the door alone,” the woman gently chided the child. “Can I help you?” she asked. Natalie stood speechless on the doorstep. “I’m looking for Ben. Is he home?” Natalie stammered, confused and uncertain. “Ben, someone’s here asking for you! What’s your name?” the woman called for Natalie’s ex-husband, then glanced back at the guest. “Natalie!” Ben said in surprise, then turned to the woman. “Love, could you go inside? I need to talk.” “Who was that?” Natalie asked in astonishment, watching as the woman carried the little girl away. “That’s my wife, Olivia, and in her arms is our daughter, Emily,” Ben replied. “You’re married? You have a daughter? You swore you would never love anyone the way you loved me!” “So many years have passed since that day! I was heartbroken at first, but then I realised life doesn’t end when someone leaves. That’s when I met Olivia, fell completely in love, and she made me happy. She gave me a daughter.” “And me? What about me?” “Natalie, you’ve been gone for five years and never cared how I was or what became of me. You ran after someone else’s money, and all you wanted was wealth and a lavish life. We may never have been rich, but that doesn’t excuse what you did. And now you’ve come back? Did you expect me to sit and wait for you all this time?” “I was foolish! I still love you!” “Natalie, enough of this act. Please go. I don’t need you, and I don’t want to see you. Your boyfriend dumped you, and that’s the only reason you’re here? It makes me sick. Please, just go.” Natalie burst into tears, consumed by her heartbreak and the pain of not being wanted, while Ben was glad to have finally moved on and found happiness—achieving closure and a sense of vindication.

Emily, you havent been around for five years nowyou dont care how Im living or whats become of me Emily

La vida

05

Go Away and Never Come Back — Leave, Do You Hear Me? Michael Whispered with Tears in His Eyes. Go, and Never Return—Ever Again. With Trembling Hands He Unclasped the Heavy Metal Chain and Dragged Berta to the Gate, Pushing Her Out onto the Road. She Didn’t Understand—Was She Being Driven Away? But Why, When She’d Done Nothing Wrong? Go, Please, Michael Repeated, Hugging the Dog. You Can’t Stay Here. He’ll Be Back Any Minute and… Just Then the Door Flew Open and Drunken Victor Stumbled Out onto the Porch, Axe in Hand… If Only People Knew for a Moment How Hard the Life of a Dog Forced onto the Streets Can Be, They’d See Strays with Pity, Not Disdain. But How Could They Know? Dogs Can’t Tell Their Stories or Complain About Their Fate—They Keep All Their Hurt Inside. But Let Me Tell You a Tale—A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Loyalty… It Begins When Berta Was Unwanted From the Very Start. No One Knows Why Her First Owner Abandoned Her—Perhaps Simply for Being Born. He Didn’t Even Bother to Find Her a Home, Just Left the Two-Month-Old Puppy by the Roadside Outside a Small Village, Where Cars and Lorries Speeded Past. Perhaps He Hoped She Wouldn’t Survive, Either to Traffic or to Hunger. But That Day, Fortune Smiled—Young Michael Cycling on His Birthday Discovered Her, Saved Her, and Took Her in As His Own. Michael Had Long Dreamt of a Dog, and His Parents, Though Reluctant, Let Him Keep Her. He Named Her Berta, and They Fast Became Best Friends. For a Time, All Was Well—Until Michael’s Father, Victor, Lost His Job, Sunk into Drink, and Became Cruel, Lashing Out at His Family and the Dog. One Night, Fearing for Berta’s Life as His Father Raged, Michael Freed Her, Pleading Through Tears for Her to Run Away and Never Come Back. Berta Didn’t Understand, Only That She Was Suddenly Alone Again. Seven Long Years Passed. Berta Wandered Vilages, Survived on Kindness and Scraps, Was Taken In By a Cemetery Groundskeeper, and Lived Among Graves and Loss, Remembering Happier Times. One Day, She Found the Grave of Victor—the Man Who’d Driven Both Her and Michael From Home. Years Later, When Michael Returned at Last, Struggling With His Own Pain and Seeking Closure, Berta Found Him at the Cemetery. Older, Changed by Life, But Still Recognisable. They Reunited—Dog and Owner, Friends Bound by Love and Suffering. Michael Took Berta Home With His New Family, and Together with His Partner, a New Baby, and Even a Stray Kitten, They Built a New Life—One Where Loyalty, Forgiveness, and Hope Triumphed Over Cruelty and Abandonment. And So, Despite All They Endured, Michael and Berta Were Truly Happy, at Last.

Go Away and Never Come Back “Go away, do you hear me?” I whispered through tears. “

La vida

06

A Silver Beard and a Beautiful Soul: My Heartbreak with an English Gentleman from Sheffield, a Family Drama, and How I Finally Found Happiness with a Local Suitor

A GREY BEARD, BUT A BEAUTIFUL SOUL Youve lied to me about everything! Im ending this correspondence.

La vida

08

Go Away and Never Come Back — Leave, Do You Hear Me? Michael Whispered with Tears in His Eyes. Go, and Never Return—Ever Again. With Trembling Hands He Unclasped the Heavy Metal Chain and Dragged Berta to the Gate, Pushing Her Out onto the Road. She Didn’t Understand—Was She Being Driven Away? But Why, When She’d Done Nothing Wrong? Go, Please, Michael Repeated, Hugging the Dog. You Can’t Stay Here. He’ll Be Back Any Minute and… Just Then the Door Flew Open and Drunken Victor Stumbled Out onto the Porch, Axe in Hand… If Only People Knew for a Moment How Hard the Life of a Dog Forced onto the Streets Can Be, They’d See Strays with Pity, Not Disdain. But How Could They Know? Dogs Can’t Tell Their Stories or Complain About Their Fate—They Keep All Their Hurt Inside. But Let Me Tell You a Tale—A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Loyalty… It Begins When Berta Was Unwanted From the Very Start. No One Knows Why Her First Owner Abandoned Her—Perhaps Simply for Being Born. He Didn’t Even Bother to Find Her a Home, Just Left the Two-Month-Old Puppy by the Roadside Outside a Small Village, Where Cars and Lorries Speeded Past. Perhaps He Hoped She Wouldn’t Survive, Either to Traffic or to Hunger. But That Day, Fortune Smiled—Young Michael Cycling on His Birthday Discovered Her, Saved Her, and Took Her in As His Own. Michael Had Long Dreamt of a Dog, and His Parents, Though Reluctant, Let Him Keep Her. He Named Her Berta, and They Fast Became Best Friends. For a Time, All Was Well—Until Michael’s Father, Victor, Lost His Job, Sunk into Drink, and Became Cruel, Lashing Out at His Family and the Dog. One Night, Fearing for Berta’s Life as His Father Raged, Michael Freed Her, Pleading Through Tears for Her to Run Away and Never Come Back. Berta Didn’t Understand, Only That She Was Suddenly Alone Again. Seven Long Years Passed. Berta Wandered Vilages, Survived on Kindness and Scraps, Was Taken In By a Cemetery Groundskeeper, and Lived Among Graves and Loss, Remembering Happier Times. One Day, She Found the Grave of Victor—the Man Who’d Driven Both Her and Michael From Home. Years Later, When Michael Returned at Last, Struggling With His Own Pain and Seeking Closure, Berta Found Him at the Cemetery. Older, Changed by Life, But Still Recognisable. They Reunited—Dog and Owner, Friends Bound by Love and Suffering. Michael Took Berta Home With His New Family, and Together with His Partner, a New Baby, and Even a Stray Kitten, They Built a New Life—One Where Loyalty, Forgiveness, and Hope Triumphed Over Cruelty and Abandonment. And So, Despite All They Endured, Michael and Berta Were Truly Happy, at Last.

Go Away and Never Come Back “Go away, do you hear me?” I whispered through tears. “

La vida

08

Grandad It Was a Summer Evening: On My Way Home from Training, I Saw an Elderly Man Fallen on the Pavement – Everyone Passed Him By Thinking He Was Drunk, But When I Approached to Offer Help, I Discovered the Real Story Behind His Injuries and Why He Risks His Health to Pick Up Broken Bottles by the Playground Each Night. The Unforgettable Lesson from a Family’s Gratitude, a Basket of Raspberries, and a Heartfelt Plea for Us All to Show More Compassion.

Granddad It all unfolded on a balmy summer evening. I was walking home after my netball practice, the

La vida

06

CHOOSE: IT’S EITHER YOUR DOG OR ME! I’M DONE PUTTING UP WITH THE SMELL!—MY HUSBAND SAID. SHE CHOSE HER HUSBAND, DROVE THE DOG OUT TO THE WOODS… AND THAT EVENING HE SAID HE WAS LEAVING HER FOR ANOTHER WOMAN

“CHOOSE: ITS EITHER YOUR DOG OR ME! IM SICK OF LIVING WITH THIS MUTT!” her husband declared.