Marrying a Broken Man
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Her daughter arrived home late, her shift as a nurse in the trauma ward dragging far past midnight. She spent ages in the shower, then slipped into her dressing gown and trudged into the kitchen.
There are sausages and mash on the hob, her mother offered, peering at her daughters weary face, searching for a clue as to what weighed on her. Long day, Lucy? And whats wrong with your mood?
Im not hungry, Lucy muttered sullenly, pouring herself a cup of tea. Im hideous as it is, Mum. If I start stuffing myself, no one will ever look at me.
Oh, love, you mustnt say that! her mother fussed, alarmed. Youre perfectly lovely! Youve got those clever eyes, a sweet nose, normal lips dont talk such nonsense, Lucy.
I mean it. All my girlfriends have married by now, and I havent. Only the deadbeats show any interest in me. The men Id choose dont even notice me. Whats wrong with me, Mum? Lucy glared at her expectantly.
You just havent met the right person, thats all. Your time will come her mum tried to reassure her, but Lucy gritted her teeth, fighting tears.
No, you dont understand! My eyes are tiny, my lips are thin, my nose islook at it! If we had money, Id get something fixed, but were skint! So Ive made up my mindIll marry someone disabled. There are plenty of lads at the hospital, men whove lost everything after an accident and whose girlfriends left them. What else is left for me, Mum? Im thirty-three, I cant wait around forever!
Oh, Lucy, dont be ridiculous, her mother blurted, stung. Just look at your fathers legshes been struggling for years. Id hoped at least our son-in-law might lend a hand around the allotment, thats real help in our lives, otherwise how will we manage?
She caught herself, flushing with guilt. I didnt meanLucy, you deserve so much. You dont need to settle for someone unwell. Look at Alex next doorsolid, hardworking lad, always had an eye for you. Strong toohealthy children. And
Oh, Mum, stop! Your precious Alex cant stick to a job, loves a pint too much, and what could I even talk to him about? Lucy fired back.
Whats there to talk about? Id ask him to turn over the garden, then feed him after. Or send him to the shop. Hes a good lad, works hard; maybe itd work out? her mum pleaded. But Lucy just shoved her tea away and rose abruptly.
Im going to bed. Honestly, Mum, I thought you of all people would understand. But youre just like everyone elseyou think Im ugly too.
Lucy, darling, dont, thats not true Her mother rushed after her, but Lucy simply waved her away.
Thats enough, Mum! she snapped, shutting her bedroom door in her mums face.
Lucy lay awake for hours. She couldnt shake the image of the young man brought into the ward the other dayhed lost his leg below the ankle. A slab of concrete pinned him while he was rooting through a nearly demolished house; they didnt get him out in time. The surgeons couldnt save his foot. No one ever visited him. He was youngnot even thirty.
She remembered how, right after surgery, hed looked at her with those pale, ice-clear eyes, grasped her hand and stared pleadingly, lost. But once he took in his new reality, he lay in silence and stared at the ceiling. Lucy felt more sympathy for him than any of the others, maybe because he was always alone.
Dyou reckon Ill walk again? he asked, not meeting her eye. Lucys voice was strong and steady.
Of course you will, youre youngeverything will heal, shed told him.
They all say that, he muttered bitterly. Try living without a leg. Tell me then what lifes supposed to be.
Why did you even go in there? Lucy shot back, frustrated. Its your own fault!
I thought I saw something his voice trailed off. After that, whenever she entered the room, hed turn his face to the wall.
Still, Lucy noticed the blue chill in his gaze, the striking lines of his face. It hurt her, what had happened to him.
Pity me, do you? he caught her looking one afternoon. I can see ityou pity me. Thats all there is for someone like me. Men like me arent loved.
She surprised herself with her reply. No one loves someone like me either, even though I have all my limbs People just think Im strange. No one pities me. Sometimes I wish Id lost a legat least people might care. She bit her lip, tears welling.
But for the first time, Michael smiled at her, a real smile.
Youre nuts, you know that? Not pretty? Have you lost your mind? I look at you and Im jealous of any bloke you pick, honestly.
She stared back into his eyes, truly believing himstrange as it was. She blurted out the words shed been holding back for days:
What if I chose you, Michael? Would you marry me? See, you dont answeryoure lying, I get it!
Lucy made to leave, dignity wounded.
Michael, summoning all his strength, propped himself up on his elbows, as if to chase after her, then remembered he couldnt. He called after her, voice cracking.
Marry me, Lucy! I swear, soon no onell even notice the leg. Ill get better, I will! Dont go, Lucy
She stopped in the corridor, on the brink of tearsbut suddenly she felt certain. He was the one.
Her nose, his legit didnt matter. Theyd found each other, just as her mum had said. The time had come.
Michael threw himself into recovery with fierce determination. He had a goal now. He wanted to marry this remarkable woman, to stand beside her and build a future.
He wanted to see Lucy smile again, wanted her to see she was wanted, cherishedthat all he ever wanted was a life at her side.
Youve fallen in love, havent you? her mum said slyly some days later. Look at you, Lucyglowing! And so sure you were nothing special.
Lucy didnt even deny it. She floated through the days on clouds. Her greatest wish now was for Michael to find his stride, to grow used to the prosthesis.
Their walks together grew longerfirst around the hospital courtyard, then along the frostbitten, sparkling avenues lit with Christmas lights.
Thats where the house waswhere I got trapped, Michael once pointed out on a snowy stroll. Never did tell you why I went in there, did I?
So, what did you see? What drew you in? Lucy pressed.
He chuckled. Its sillya stray puppy, shivering scrawny little thing, black with white patches. Thought Id take him home, keep myself company.
Just then, beyond the fence, a gaunt hound watched them, eyes pleading, too timid to approach.
Thats him, isnt it? Michael gaspedand the dog trotted after them all the way home.
Would you believe itshes found herself a younger bloke, sweet as can be, no mother-in-law to worry about, and he even owns a flat! Lucys friends teased at their wedding.
Lucys mother wept quietly as Michael called her Mum. He had no familygrew up in care. But he was good, kind, and true, and most importantthey cherished each other. Thats all that mattered.
Besides, who cared for the allotment anyway? Even so, Michael took everything in his stridethere was nothing he couldnt do.
For now, Lucy, Michael and the dogwho they named Patchmade their little family. But soon, theyd be four; Lucy was expecting a daughter.
Never lose hope. Thats how the greatest happiness slips right past youlife remains astonishing in its unpredictability.
