“Darling, dont think the worst! Im not homeless. My name is Michael Thompson. I came to see my daughter. Its hard to explain
Only a few hours remain until New Years Eve. All the coworkers have long since rushed home, but no one is waiting for Emily
To avoid coming in on January 2nd, she decided to get ahead of her workload.
Shell make it hometheres a couple of pre-made salads, some fruit, and a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for her in the fridge.
Theres no one to dress up for. She just wants to kick off her heels and slip into her soft pyjamas.
It so happened that she and Daniel divorced a few months ago, and it was so painful that Emily wasnt in a hurry to start anything new.
Now, shes comfortable on her own
Daniel tried to win her back, calling a few times, but Emily didnt want to start over. Nothing good would come of itthey just werent right for each other. Too complicated.
She didnt even want to think about him. That was the pastwhy ruin the holiday?
Emily stepped off the bus. Just a few more steps, and shed be home.
By the entrance, she suddenly noticed an old man sitting on a bench. Beside him stood a small Christmas tree.
‘Must be visiting someone!’ she thought.
She greeted him, and the man nodded without looking up.
For a moment, she thought she saw tears in his eyesor maybe it was just the reflection of the streetlights. She shrugged it off and hurried inside.
The evening had turned frosty, and Emily shivered.
After a warm shower, she pulled on her favourite fluffy pyjamas, poured herself a coffee, and stood by the window.
Oddly enough, the old man was still there.
‘Its been over an hour since I got home. New Years is in two hoursif hes visiting someone, why is he still outside? And those tears’ she wondered.
She set the table, turned on the fairy lights on her tree, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the lonely old man.
Half an hour later, she peeked again. He hadnt moved.
‘What if hes unwell? He could freeze out there.’
Without a second thought, Emily threw on her coat and stepped outside.
She sat beside him on the bench.
The man glanced at her and looked away.
‘Excuse meare you alright? I noticed youve been sitting here a while. Its freezing. Can I help?’
The old man sighed.
‘Its nothing, love. Im fine. Just resting a moment before I go.’
‘Go where?’
‘The train station. Home.’
‘Thats no good. I dont want to find you still here in the morning. Come on, up you get! Pleasecome inside. Warm up, and then you can go wherever you need.’
‘But’
‘No buts! Come on!’
If her best friend, Charlotte, could see her now, shed be wide-eyed with shock but Charlotte wasnt here, and Emily couldnt just leave him.
The old man stood slowly, picking up his little tree.
‘Can I bring it?’
‘Of course, why not?’
Inside, he set the tree down humbly in the hallway and took off his coat. Every movement seemed labouredhe must have been chilled to the bone.
He sat at the kitchen table while Emily made tea. He cradled the mug, warming his hands before taking a sip. Then he met her gaze.
‘Darling, dont think the worst! Im not homeless. My name is Michael Thompson. I came to see my daughter. Its hard to explain
Her mother and I split years agomy fault. I fell for another woman.
Like a lovesick fool, I couldnt see straight
At first, I hid it, but my wife, Margaret, found out about me and Martha. The arguments started, and one day, I slammed the door and left for her
My daughter was only five.
I tried to stay involved, helping where I could, but Margaret was too proudshe wouldnt take a thing from me. Not even child support. She was determined to raise our girl alone.
I tried sending money through my parents, through her, but she refused every time! Flat out refused.
She turned my daughter against me.
Once, I went to the school with toys for her, but my little girl ran away. Wouldnt even speak to mesaid I was nobody to her.
So I stepped back. Stopped intruding on her life. Martha and I left town.
At first, I sent money for my daughter, but it always came back. Eventually, I stopped trying.
Ten years ago, Martha and I returned. My parents were gone, so we moved into their old flat.
Later, we sold it, bought a cottage in the countryside near the city.
We never had children of our own
And two years ago, Martha passed. Ive been alone since.
I dont know why I came today. I didnt expect forgiveness.
I havent seen my daughter in decades. She still lives in that same flat.
I bought this tree, knocked on her door and she wouldnt let me in.
I understand
What was I thinking? What did I expect? Im a stranger to her.
I dont need anythingIve got the cottage, a good pension. I couldve helped hershes the only family I have left!
Things mightve been different if Margaret had let me be part of her life.
After she shut the door, I just walked. No idea where. Ended up here. Sat down and froze. Didnt even want to move. Mightve stayed there all night.
But fate had other plans. Maybe Im still needed for something Thank you, love. Im warm nowIll go wait for the bus.’
‘Where will you go at this hour? The next one isnt till morning, and its nearly midnight. StayIll make up the sofa. You can leave at dawn.’
Michael looked at her.
‘Im imposing, love. Not many would let a stranger in like this. Truth is I dont want to be alone tonight. If its alright, Ill stay.’
‘Its settled, then.’
In the morning, Michael gathered his things.
‘Thank you, Emily. Youre an angelsaved me from a foolish night on that bench.
Come visit me sometime! Its not farplenty of room. Ive got a small apiary, five hives behind the cottage. Lovely in summer.
Martha loved the garden Apples, pears, you name it. Even in winter, its peaceful. Theres a river nearby. Youd love it.’
‘I will, Michael. I promise.’
‘Good. Thank you again’
Emily watched from the window until he turned the corner.
Funny, isnt it? Family wants nothing to do with you, yet strangers become kin.
Emily had lost her parents young. After hearing the old mans story, she knew one thing for certainshe would visit him.
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