BITTERSWEET HAPPINESS
Whats wrong with this young lady then? Shes a good girl. Well-mannered, tidy, studies hard. She loves you, Margaret Jones gives her son a reproachful look.
Mum, I can manage on my own, Mark Jones puts a stop to the pointless conversation.
Margaret leaves the room, sighing heavily as she thinks, ‘Manage, will he? After all those women hes been with Hes pushing forty now. Soon enough, none of them will matter. Theres always something not right for him’
Son, dinners ready, Margaret calls from the kitchen.
Mark immediately comes and tucks into his mums shepherds pie with satisfaction.
Thanks, Mum. As always, delicious.
You should be saying that to your wife, not me, Margaret cant help herself.
Mum Mark finishes his cup of tea and gets ready to leave the kitchen.
Wait, love. It just crossed my mind. Years ago, I went to see a fortune teller. The moment I walked in, she told me, Your son will have bittersweet happiness.
Oh, Mum, you shouldnt believe that stuff, Mark grins.
Over the years, Mark has had his share of relationshipssome he cared for, others not so much.
Emma was bright, well-read, and unusually wise for her age. She gave Mark, who was nine years older, sensible advice. At first, he liked it. Later, she came to feel like a big sister more than anything. Everything was just colourless. They parted ways.
Sophie had an eight-year-old boy. Despite caring for Sophieshe was beautiful, if a bit fieryMark simply couldnt bond with her son. Every row, whether his fault or hers, ended with Mark buying her presents to make up. The arguments always seemed silly. The relationship just lacked somethinga bit of calm, stability perhaps.
Claire seemed perfect, the ideal woman. Mark was ready to marry her. She was proper, genuine, sensible. You had to tread carefully, mind your words with her. He even moved into her flat, ready to start a familytwo kids at least, he’d hoped.
But thenthe classic story. He came back early from a business trip to find Claire in bed with her old school friend.
Broken, Mark moved back in with his mother. The romance phase was over, he decided.
Ill just go it alone. Best family is the one thats just yourself, he would joke to his mum.
Margaret could only shrug and sigh. Will you ever find the right one, love?
And fate did arrive, quite out of the blue.
Mark is off on yet another work trip. He claims a lower berth on the train. A woman walks in:
Excuse me, would you mind swapping bunks? Would you let me have your lower bunk, please?
Of course, Mark replies.
As he climbs onto the top bunk, he observes the womannothing extraordinary, at first. But his heart skips a beat: Could this be the one?
He drifts off to sleep. Later, she wakes him gently.
Im glad youre awake. Come sit, have some tea with me, she coos.
Mark settles across the table, and they start chatting.
Elizabeth, she introduces herself.
Mark. Pleased to meet you, Elizabeth.
They chat all evening long. Mark feels at ease with Elizabeth, not performing or trying to charm. Its as though hes known her forever.
They swap numbers, just in case.
A couple of weeks go by, but Mark finds himself longing to hear her voice. And just like thata whirlwind begins.
Meetings, kisses, promises
Mark realises hes never felt like this before. Forty years old! Hed always been able to detach himself from previous women. But now, he has no guard, no boundaries.
He yearns to dive deeply into Elizabeths world.
Elizabeth envelopes Mark in honest love, care, and understanding. Just three months after meeting, Mark offers her his heart.
Mark, Im seven years older than you. Ive got three children. We live in a council flat, Elizabeth says plainly, never one for lies. And Im a widow.
Lizzie, I knew all that. Ive met your kids. Youll all live with meits settled. I love every part of you. Youre my accidental and final love, Mark kisses her gently.
Alright, Mark. Lets give it a try, Elizabeth blushes.
No, Lizzie. Not just a try. Always. Together forever, Mark takes her hand, Do you hear me? Forever.
When Margaret learns of her sons plans, she only murmurs, Youve done it now Ordinary as they come, that one
Nine months later, a special child is born to the couplea daughter.
Mark is filled with joy and worry for Elizabeth, wanting to protect her from being overwhelmed.
A child with Downs syndrome is no easy journey.
Now, their daughter is eight. The whole family adores her.
Mark reveres Elizabeth.
Bittersweetand yet, happiness.
