You Could Miss It
“Annie, will you marry me?”
Max, blushing, slid a velvet box across the table towards her. They sat in a cosy café, the air sweet with the scent of fresh pastries, soft music playing in the background. His eyes shone with hope, his lips trembling slightly with nerves. When she hesitated, he added, “Well? Will you? Or…?”
Annie, who had been smiling carelessly, suddenly turned serious, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. She pushed aside her glass of sparkling wine and sighed.
“Max, Im sorry, but… I cant.”
“What do you mean, you cant?” he stammered. “Think about itweve been together five years. Weve got good jobs, our own flat. Why not make it official? Dont you want us to be a family?”
She shrugged. “Max, Im just not ready. I want to live for myself a bit longer! All that domestic blissSunday roasts, nappies, visiting relativesits not for me yet. I want to travel, go out with friends, do things I enjoy. Im still young! Im not tying myself down now.”
“So Im just a burden?” he asked, hurt.
“Dont twist my words! I just have different priorities. Besides, arent we happy as we are? Loves what matters, right?”
But Maxs heart burned with frustration. “Different priorities? I thought we were building a life together! But no, youd rather flit about like some carefree butterfly!”
“Oh, so Im the butterfly now?” she snapped. “And youre the sensible little ant, deciding everything for me? You dont care what I want? Sod off!”
She stormed out, leaving Max stunned.
Fuming, Annie rushed through the streets until she reached the park, collapsing onto the first bench she saw. Anger bubbled inside her like boiling lava.
“How dare he! Thinks he can decide my life for me? Were not even thirty yethe wants to lock me into domestic drudgery already?”
Lost in her rage, she barely noticed the woman who sat beside heruntil the sharp reek of unwashed clothes hit her. A rough-looking beggar, her clothes frayed, her gaze hollow.
“Mind if I take this?” the woman gestured to an empty bottle under the bench.
Still seething, Annie glared. “Ever tried working? Youve got arms and legsget a job!”
Normally, shed have been kinder. But right now, she needed to vent.
The woman nodded. “Would if I could, love. Nobody hires the likes of me.”
“Whose fault is that?”
“Oh, nobodys,” the woman chuckled, pulling a bent cigarette from her pocket before tucking it away again. “Names Maggie the Tramp. If I hadnt been such a fool in my youth, maybe Id have grandkids now, bottling jam or ironing shirts. I was pretty once, like you. Thought the world was minemen chased me, but I turned them all down. Wanted a prince, didnt I? Some bloke called Davedecent chap, mad about me. Brought flowers, read poetry. Everyone said Id be safe with him. But no, I wanted glamour, adventure. Im a free bird, I said.”
She paused, lost in memory.
“What happened?” Annie asked, her own troubles fading.
“Nothing much. Chased my dreams, partied hard. Then I met a charmersmooth talker, swore he loved me. Next thing I knew, hed swindled me out of my council flat. Left me with nothing. No family to turn to. Dave? Married now, kids, happy as can be. Saw him oncehid so he wouldnt spot me. Shame burns, love. That couldve been my life.”
She sighed. “Moral isdont throw away what youve got. Chase rainbows, and you might miss real happiness. A warm homes worth more than princes and foreign shores.”
Without another word, Maggie shuffled off, bottle in pocket.
Annie sat stunned, but a stubborn voice hissed: “She was just a fool. Not meId never be that daft.”
Standing, she trudged home, her bright dreams now smeared with grime. Distracted, she stepped onto the roadjust as a motorbike screeched into her.
***
The hospital smelled of disinfectant and orangesa cheery patient sharing slices. “Doctorll love the aroma!” she chirped, offering some to Annie.
“Youre awake! Howre you feeling, love?”
“Alright,” Annie murmured. “Just my leg hurts.”
“Well, no wonder! Mustnt leap under wheels!”
Annie glanced at her bedside tablepiled with fruit, soup, her favourite treats.
“Your husbands a gem!” the woman said enviously. “Brought all thisyoull hardly need hospital food!”
“Who?”
“Your Max! Sat here all night. Ran off to work, but kept bringing things.”
Annie gaped. Had she forgotten marrying him? Noimpossible.
He visited that evening, arms full of toiletries.
“You alright?”
“Managing…”
“Been to the loo?”
“What?”
“Doctor said stress might upset your stomach. Need help?”
“No!”
“Suit yourself.”
For a week, Max helped her wash, eat, even use the loo. Finally, she asked, “Why does everyone think youre my husband?”
He smiled sadly. “Theyd not let me in otherwise. Dont worryonce youre better, Ill leave you be.”
Annie staredreally seeing him for the first time. Suddenly, she never wanted to recover.
“Max, Im sorry. I was an idiot. But… dont go. Marry me? Ill be a good wife, promise.”
P.S. May life always leave room for fairy tales, kindness, and miracles. Cheers!
