I shuffled into the local health centre, my ankle twisted badly from a stumble that left me barely able to put weight on it. Just as I was wobbling past the reception, a bald bloke darted past me, snagging the first slot with the doctor right in front of my face. I slumped onto a chair, exhausted, and muttered under my breath, Typical men, never letting anyone cut in line! A woman standing nearby overheard and said, Hes been here all morning, trying to get a prosthetic fitted. Hes in a hurry, so hell probably get another turn soon. She chuckled, Good lad, Andrew, my neighbour. Life never really went his waylost his leg up to the knee, his wife left him. Thought hed drown his sorrows, but hes still hopping about like a spring. No kids, no family. At that moment a slightly limping man emerged from the consultation room with a grin, winked at me and the lady, and called out, Alright, ladies, lets get on with it! before heading for the exit.
I smiled at the word ladies. It wasnt about me any more. Id married young, a man twelve years my senior. We shared the same zodiac signboth Dogsso we thought we were a perfect match. My husband, Paul, loved dogs; we soon got a German Shepherd, and not long after, I found out I was pregnant.
Friends would gush, What a flawless lifeflat in Manchester, a proper motor, a countryside cottage, a dog, and a baby on the way. But at six months, I suffered a miscarriage. Paul tried to comfort me, then said, What can we do? Were not as young as we used to be, but we still have Geshwell, thats what we called the dog. I adored the dog, and Paul took him to shows, but a dog could never replace a child.
At one of those shows Paul met Olivia, who also owned a German Shepherd. He soon told me, Were going to have a child with Olivia; shes younger and will give us a healthy offspring. He bragged, Shes as fresh as a spring chicken, while Im getting on like an old codger. In truth Olivia was almost twenty years younger than Paul, and I began to feel like the elder in our little trio, as if life had slipped by in a blink. Retirement is just around the corner, Paul would say, as if it applied to me too.
One week later, after the swelling in my ankle had almost gone down, I returned to the clinic and ran into that same bald man again.
Excuse me, miss, please go ahead of me. Ill slip in out of turn, he said with an apologetic grin. When I left the doctors room, he lingered near the door.
Next! called the nurse from the back.
They’re calling you, I heard him say, surprised that he wasnt being ushered inside.
Ah, I was just kidding, he laughed, Ive been waiting for you, lovely lady. Names Andrew, and you are Charlotte? I guessed it straight away. What other name could belong to someone with such bright eyes? Can a lonely bloke like me escort you a bit?
I replied with a smile, If Im the pretty one, you certainly dont look like a proper disabled man.
He offered his arm as I still limped, and suggested, Shall we pop into that little café down the road? Its tasty and cheap, and I havent had breakfast yet.
Spending time with Andrew was easy and enjoyable, and he kept asking to see me again. Eventually he confessed, Charlotte, dont think Im in a rush, Im just scared someone might dash past me at a corner and leave me standing there again. Im a bit lame and bald, and youre a beautiful young woman! He paused, then said, Charlotte, marry me. Dont worry we dont know each other long; I want to spend the rest of my life learning about you. I have a flat, a job, Im a sturdy bloke. He looked at me expectantly, then lowered his head, as if sensing my hesitation. These days everyone wants a fit, rich partner, not a cripple.
I laughed, Andrew! Youre impossible, but Ill say yes.
Against all odds, after the wedding Charlotte found out she was pregnant almost immediately. I had never imagined I could have a child again; Id long ago given up hope. Suddenly life felt as if it had turned back the clock, making me young, beautiful, and loved once more.
Look at our little Sasha, his curls! I marveled.
Nothing to marvel at, Andrew replied, running his hand over his smooth, balding scalp. I may look like a bald, legless bloke now, but I used to be a blond, curlyhaired lad. Look at our sonmoms eyes, dads curls. He chuckled.
I cant get enough of Sasha, it still feels unreal that we have a child together, I said, leaning my shoulder against his. If Andrew and I hadnt met, none of this would exist. No boy for us. Tears welled up and I sobbed. Andrew, taken aback, whispered, Darling, stop that. Its all good! Look at Sashacould he not have been born? He had to be. We met for a reason; without you Id have vanished. He tried to soothe me, Dont cry, love.
Im crying from happiness, I managed, wiping my eyes and pressing even tighter to my husband. For the first time in my life Im shedding tears of joy. A smile broke across my face, and the tears on my lashes sparkled like tiny diamonds. I felt rich beyond measure.
After all, the greatest wealth is children, and true happiness is love.
