A SECOND WIND…
After the funeral of his dear Evelyn, Alexander Stevens made his way straight back to his childhood village. He could no longer bear to stay in the flat he had shared with his wife up to her last moments, nor was there any needthe place would soon pass to Evelyns son from her first marriage, and they had no children together.
His gentle, affectionate, irreplaceable Evelyn had sailed away to heaven, leaving Alexander Stevens a widower to live out his days alone. So there he walked, leaving the bypass behind and heading down the lane towards the village where his parents had both lived and died, and which he hadnt visited for years. He wondered what had become of the old househad it collapsed? Was it still standing?
It was the final days of May, the dust hadnt yet dulled the vibrant greens of the new leaves, and the restless swallows scissored the blue sky overhead with their wings. How heartening to see life go on, even when our own has ended! Alexander thought to himself.
Two stents in his heart and the heart attack hed suffered gave him reason to think the separation from Evelyn wouldnt be too long. Still, daily chores waited for no one. Passing the neighbours cottage, Alexander stopped near Edgar, who sat on the bench by the front gate. I ought to pop into the shop, buy some gin and honour Evelyn with Edgar, Alexander mused.
No need for me, I finished my ration today, Edgar said, as if he had read Alexanders mind. You can treat me tomorrow, when my heads clearer!
Alexander realised Edgar wouldnt be of much help, so he made his way to his cousin Veras house for a toolkit to prise off the boards nailed to his old home. He ended up staying the night, and next morning, together with Veras son Luke, they set to work. In a few days, the house looked quite liveable again. Vera insisted he replace the rotting window casingsthe casings are the doorway to the owners soul, she said firmly.
His fathers old carpenters tools brought him comfort and pleasure. Alexander tackled the job of making new casings himself, thinking, Surely, Ia retired test pilot, a lieutenant colonelcan do what any proper Englishman ought? And he managed it. Soon enough, bright yellow carved casings gleamed at his windows, and folk began to place orders, both visitors and locals. His pension was enough for him, but knowing people valued his handiwork warmed him. He fetched his well-cared-for Chevrolet from the city, and soon enough, work picked up.
One night, he had a dream that left him feeling aggrieved all day. In the dream, he was standing at the door of the flat hed once shared with Evelyn, and she spoke to him sternly: Go away, you cant stay here. No point loitering around! Alexander had never heard such words from Evelyn. What stung worse was that the house was filled with unknown people, and there was no place for him. Silly, of courseit was only a dream, but the resentment lingered.
That evening, returning from the shop, Alexander nearly ran into a scruffy boy of about eight sitting on the porch steps. The lad was thin and dirty, his cheeks streaked from crying. He introduced himself as George.
Asked why he wasnt home at such a late hour, George replied, his mother had struck him, so he ran off in a fit. Alexander noticed things werent rightthe boy wore mismatched trainers, his clothes ragged and filthy.
Alexander gave him a meal, poured him some milk brought from Vera, and sent him off to his mother. Next morning, he wasnt surprised to find George sleeping on the porch, wrapped in a worn rug. He carried the boy to the sofa, but George didnt stir.
When George finally woke, Alexander gave him a washthe dirt came off in chunks. George told him hed come back at night, but his mum wasnt there, only drunken men, quarrelling. Alexander left George having breakfast and went to Vera for advice.
I know what youre going to ask, Vera said. His mothers a lost cause. After Georges father died two years ago, shes fallen to bits. Its everywhere now! Social services, child protectionnone of it works around these parts!
Last year, a pair left their children locked in a cupboard till they froze. This winter, George wont survive with Elvirashell starve him. Shes gone mad!
Alexander went to the far end of the village to see Elvira. What greeted him surpassed even his worst fears: something barely resembling a woman, dirty, ragged, bluish-purple, and she demanded a bottle of vodka in exchange for raising George.
Repulsed, Alexander hurried back home. On the porch, George was washing the last wheel of the Chevy so thoroughly, it shone in the sun like new.
That night, settling down to sleep on the air mattress, George timidly asked if he could call Alexander Dad Alex. Dad Alex, were a family now, arent we? he asked hopefully.
Of course, were a family! the newly-minted dad replied.
Its good to have a woman in the family, George said.
Youre not trying to marry me off, are you, lad? Dad Alex teased.
No, not marry! Ill tell you everything later!
Next day, after working for a client, Alexander returned to find two workers outside the house. A small patch of earth, barely two square metres, had been carefully dug up. George and a skinny girl in wellies were planting onions.
Thats my mate, Lizzie! George explained shyly. She pinched a tin of onions to plantwomen ought to plant and grow something or have babies, you know, otherwise what sort of women are they? And Lizzies a good sortshe doesnt steal from her own!
Ten-year-old Lizzie explained her mum sent her from a neighbouring village to her grandmother, but grandma had died a year ago, and the house was nailed shut.
But how?
Mum forgot grandmas gone. She went to the funeral drunk, came back drunk, and was just dropped off by the car. So, since mum threw me out, Ill live on my own! Can I stay with your family? I can do everythingwash, cook, work the garden!
Lizzie looked so pitiful, as if shed stolen from Alexander.
So thats why Evelyn drove me away! Alexander realised.
Theres still work for me here on Earth
That evening, he had a serious chat with Vera.
All well and good to feed these waifs, but what about the law? Their mothers are still about! Vera warned.
Thats not the heart of it! Id sort out the legalities, but how long will I live? Here, Vera, take what Ive tucked awayif anything happens to me, find them a proper childrens home or take care of them yourself.
He handed her a roll of banknotes wrapped in newspaper, Heres two thousand pounds.
So thats why Evelyn wouldnt let me join her. Im meant to stay awhile longer; my Earthly business isnt finished yet, Alexander thought, walking homewards.
Yes, no one says it better than Shakespeareour days are numbered for us by others!As summer deepened and flowers crowded the garden, Alexanders old house thrummed with laughter and a newfound bustle. George and Lizzie took to their chores seriously, but more than that, they brought life back to rooms that had echoed with silence. Neighbours learned to drop by for a cup of tea or a slice of Lizzies apple bread. Vera visited more often, and Edgar regained enough energy to help Alexander plan a new bench for the square, insisting he carve their names into the wood.
One evening, Alexander sat beneath a willow as dusk spilled gold across the fields. The children tumbled about, chasing fireflies. Suddenly, George clambered up beside him. Dad Alex, do you think well always be a family? The question hung in the gentle air, fragile and true.
Alexander looked at the boy, then at Lizzie, and smiled. Family isnt always about blood, George. Sometimes its about finding one another when the world forgets.
Lizzie joined them, leaning her head on Alexanders knee. Maybe one day Ill plant roses for Evelyn here, she whispered.
That would make her happy, Alexander replied softly, feeling the warmth of belonging spread through him. The pain of loss was still there, but now it mingled with hopea second wind that filled his sails.
As the stars appeared overhead, Alexander realized he was exactly where he needed to be. His days, whatever number remained, would be filled with purpose, laughter, and love. And so, beneath a sky shimmering with possibility, he gave a contented sigh, knowing that sometimes, life gifts us with unexpected beginnings after the darkest endings.
