Ive had enough, Im done! How much more can I take? The kid, always needing somethinghelp with this, help with that I just want my life back! I want to feel alive again, like I used to! I work all day, and when I come home, I want my wifemy womannot some exhausted stranger. Maybe Ill swing by my mates place for a drink, find some young thing bloody hell” Gripping the steering wheel, Simon exhaled sharply, smoke curling from his cigarette as he stewed over the final straw in his marriage.
Their love story was as old as time. Theyd met, fallen madly for each other, lost themselves in passion, forgotten protectionand a few months later, two pink lines sealed their fate.
*”Of course well keep it. Well manage,”* Simon had said firmly, and the aunties and uncles all nodded in approval. *”Give us grandchildren!”*
Then came the wedding, the countdown, tears of joya son! And just like that, the carefree happiness ended. His wife became a shadow of herselfpermanently tired, hair unbrushed, endlessly fretting over the baby, night and day. *”Help me, help me”*
Where was the girl he’d fallen for? Their families vanished once the baby arrived, leaving them alone with parenthood.
*”Im not ready for this!”* Simon had snapped at his wife today before slamming the door in her face, their infant wailing in her arms.
The screech of brakesa hunched, shadowy figure appeared in front of his car.
*”You got a death wish or what?!”* Simon leapt out, storming toward the stranger.
The man straightened, meeting Simons gaze with ancient, sorrowful eyes. *”Yes,”* he whispered.
Simon faltered. *”Dad you alright? Need help?”*
*”I dont want to live anymore.”*
*”Come on, mate, dont talk like that. Lets get you home, yeah? Maybe I can help,”* Simon said gently, guiding the old man to his car.
*”Tell me whats wrong,”* Simon muttered, taking another drag.
*”Its a long story.”*
*”Ive got time.”*
The old man studied him, then glanced at the photo hanging from the mirror.
*”Fifty years ago, I met a girl. Fell head over heels. Before I knew itwedding, baby, a son, an heir Youd think that was happiness, wouldnt you?”*
*”But I wanted it like beforelove, passion, excitement. My wife was exhausted, the baby never slept, the house was a mess. I left it all to her, never lifted a finger.”*
*”Then I found another woman at work. Had my fun. Wife found outdivorce. Nothing came of the other woman, but I didnt care. Plenty more fish in the sea.”*
*”She remarried, got her glow back. My son called another man Dad. I didnt even blink.”*
*”And you?”* Simon lit another cigarette, hands unsteady.
*”Me? I kept chasing the high. No family, no wife, no son. Today was his fiftieth. Went to wish him happy birthdayhe wouldnt even let me in.”* The old mans voice cracked. *”Said I wasnt his father. Told me to keep walking.”*
*”Where do you live, mate? Ill take you home,”* Simon muttered, drumming his fingers on the wheel.
*”Just up there. Dont worry about me.”* The man stepped out, shuffling toward a tower block by the road.
Simon watched until he disappeared inside, hesitated, then turned the car around. He stopped at a shop, bought flowers.
*”Forgive me,”* he whispered, kneeling before his weeping wife. *”Rest, love. Ive got him.”*
He took his son, rocking him gently, singing in a rough whisper: *”Hush now, little one, close your eyes”*
The baby, stunned into silence, drifted off, tiny hand resting on Simons pounding heart. He looked down, throat tight. *I want to watch him grow. I want to hear him call me Dad.*
*”Out saving drowning men again?”* The old woman smiled as her husband hung up his coat.
*”Someones got to teach the young ones,”* he chuckled.
*”And how do you know who needs saving?”*
*”I was him once.”*
*”Come eat, hero. And rememberno rescues tomorrow. Its our sons birthday.”* She touched his cheek fondly.
*”Wouldnt miss it. Fifty years of our love, our legacy. How could I forget?”* Wrapping an arm around her, he followed her to the kitchen, grinning.
So there you have ita story so mad, youll either believe it or you wont. What do you think? Drop a comment. Give it a like.
