Ive had enough, Im done! How much longer can I take it? The childalways whining, always needing help and I just want to go out like I used to! I want passion! I work all day, and when I come home, I want my wifemy womanbut no, shes just exhausted. Might as well grab a pint with a mate, then find myself a younger one Bloody hell” Gripping the steering wheel, Jeremy fumed, smoking furiously as he thought about how today had been the final straw in his marriage.
Their love story was as old as time. They met, fell head over heels, lost themselves in passion, forgot protectionand a few months later, she showed him two pink lines.
“Of course well keep it, well manage,” Jeremy had said confidently, while all the aunties and uncles nodded approvingly, as if to say, “Well help, just give us grandchildren.”
Then came the wedding, the due date, the happy tearsa son! And just like that, their carefree life ended. His wife turned into a frazzled henalways tired, hair a mess, endlessly nagging about the baby, even in the dead of night. Her constant plea: “Help me, just help me”
Where had his fun-loving girl gone? His family vanished the moment they were neededleft alone to figure out parenthood.
“Im not ready for this!” Jeremy snapped at his wife today, slamming the door in her face as she stood there, clutching their newborn.
A screech of brakesa hunched shadow lurched in front of his car.
“You trying to get yourself killed?!” Jeremy leapt out, storming toward the figure.
The man in the long coat straightened, fixing him with weary, ancient eyes before whispering:
“Yes.”
Jeremy blinked. “Dadsorry, mate, you need help? You alright?”
“I dont want to live anymore.”
“Dont be daftcome on, lets get you home. Maybe I can help, eh?” Jeremy took the old mans arm, guiding him gently to the car.
“Right then, tell me whats wrong,” Jeremy exhaled smoke.
“Its a long story.”
“Ive got time.”
The old man studied him, then glanced at the photo dangling from the mirror.
“Fifty years ago, I met a girl. Fell hard. Everything happened fastbefore we knew it, we were married, had a kid, a son, an heir youd think that was happiness, wouldnt you?”
“But I wanted it like beforelove, passion, wild nights. My wife was exhausted, the baby never stopped crying, the house was a mess I left it all to her. Never lifted a finger.”
“Found a woman at work, started something Wife found out. Divorce. Nothing came of the other woman, but I didnt care. Lived like a bachelor.”
“She remarried, got her glow back. My son called another man Dad. I didnt even blink.”
“And you?” Jeremy lit another cigarette, tense.
“I kept at it. No family, no wife, no kids. Todays my sons fiftieth. Went to congratulate himhe didnt let me past the door.” The old man wept. “Said, Youre not my father. Go back to your fun.”
“Where where should I take you, then?” Jeremy drummed his fingers on the wheel.
“Just here. I live here. Dont trouble yourself” The old man shuffled out toward a block of flats by the road.
Jeremy waited, making sure he went inside, then turned the car around. He stopped at a shop, bought flowers.
“Forgive me, love,” he whispered, kneeling before his wife, who sobbed on the floor. He took the baby from her arms, carried him to the nursery, rocking him gently, humming a raspy lullaby.
The child, surprised, drifted off quickly, his tiny hand resting on Jeremys pounding heart. He gazed down, moved. “I want to watch my boy grow up I want to hear him call me Dad”
“Rescuing another lost soul?” The old woman met her husband at the door, smiling as he hung up his coat.
“Aye. Someones got to knock sense into the young ones.”
“And how do you know who needs it?”
“I needed it once.”
“Come on, herodinners ready. And no more rescues tomorrow, remember? Our sons big party.” She smiled fondly.
“Wouldnt miss it. Fifty years, our lad our love. How could I forget?” He wrapped an arm around her, leading her to the kitchen, still grinning.
Believe it or not, thats how it happened. Make of it what you will.
