“I’ve had enoughthat’s it, I’m leaving! How much longer can I take this? The child, always needing something, always ‘help me, help me’ while all I want is to go out like I used to! I want closeness! I work all day! I want to come home to a loving wife, a woman maybe Ill stay at a mates tonight, then find some young thing blimey” Sitting behind the wheel, fuming over the final straw in his marriage, Edward nervously took a drag of his cigarette.
Their story was as old as timeboy meets girl, they fall head over heels, passion takes over, caution is forgotten, and a few months later, she shows him two little lines.
“Of course, well manage. Well get through this,” Edward had declared confidently, while the aunts and uncles nodded approvingly, eager for grandchildren.
Then came the wedding, the pregnancy, happy tearsa son! And just like that their carefree happiness ended. His wife turned into a weary hentired, unkempt, endlessly fussing over the baby, waking at all hours, always pleading, “Help me, help me”
Where had his girl gone? Family support vanished just as quickly they were left alone with parenthood.
“Im not ready for this!” Edward snapped at his wife today before slamming the door in her face, leaving her holding their baby.
The screech of brakesa dark, hunched figure appeared suddenly in front of his car.
“Have you got a death wish, mate?!” Edward leaped out and rushed toward the man.
The stranger straightened, fixing him with sad, aged eyes, and whispered,
“Yes.”
Stunned, Edward faltered. “Sir, do you do you need help? Can I do anything?”
“I dont want to live anymore.”
“Come off it, old chap. Let me take you home, yeah? You can tell me about itmaybe I *can* help,” Edward said gently, taking the mans arm and guiding him to the car.
“Go on then, tell me,” Edward exhaled smoke.
“Its a long story.”
“Ive got time.”
The old man studied him, then glanced at a photo hanging above the dashboard.
“Fifty years ago, I met a girl. Fell for her straightawayeverything happened so fast. Before I knew it, we were married, had a child, a son, an heir youd think that was happiness, wouldnt you?”
“But all I wanted was what we had beforelove, passion, the wild days. My wife was exhausted, the baby never slept, chores piled up I left it all to her, never lifted a finger.”
“Then I found another woman at work. Things got messy. My wife found out, and that was that. Divorce. Nothing came of the other woman, but I wasnt botheredfreedom at last.”
“She remarried, blossomed again. My son called another man ‘Dad,’ and I didnt care.”
“And you?” Edward lit another cigarette, fingers tapping nervously.
“Me? I kept chasing the good times. No family, no wife, no children left. Todays my sons fiftieth. Went to wish him happy birthdayhe wouldnt even let me in,” the old man wept. “‘Youre no father to me,’ he said. ‘Keep on living for yourself.'”
“Where to now, sir?” Edward drummed his fingers on the wheel.
“I live just here. Dont worry about me.” The old man stepped out and shuffled toward a block of tenement flats.
Edward watched until he disappeared inside, hesitated, then turned the car around. He stopped at the shops, bought flowers.
“Forgive me, love. Forgive me,” he murmured, kneeling before his weeping wife. “Rest now, darling.”
Taking their son from her arms, he carried him to the nursery, rocking him gently, humming a lullaby in a rough voice.
The baby, surprised, soon drifted off, his tiny hand resting trustingly over Edwards pounding heart. Looking down at him, Edward felt a swell of emotion. *I want to watch my boy grow. I want to hear him call me ‘Dad.’*
“Rescuing another lost soul?” The old woman smiled as her husband stepped inside, hanging up his coat.
“Aye. Someones got to teach the young ones lifes hard lessons.”
“How do you always know who needs saving?”
“I needed saving myself at that age.”
“Come on, herodinners ready. And dont forget, tomorrows the boys anniversary. No rescues on party night.” She gazed at him fondly.
“Wouldnt miss it. Fifty years for our boy, for our lovehow could I forget?” Wrapping an arm around her, he followed her to the kitchen, smiling.
And so it wentan unbelievable tale, take it or leave it. What do you make of it? Let me know your thoughts.
