Dear Diary,
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Mum, are you serious? I asked as I stepped into my parents house, only to find Dad wasnt home.
Mum promptly seated me at the kitchen table with a pot of tea. She offered fresh toast with butter, knowing Im not much of a cook. Emily, my sister, is a real sportsperson; their household is always stocked with wholesome veg and fruit. Meat and fish are usually boiled rather than fried, and Emily never buys the processed junk we all try to avoid.
Shes almost convinced both of us to eat that way. Im tall and lean, and whatever I put on my plate disappears fast. I used to play basketball, and now after work I still shoot a few hoops with the lads. Our family is sporty, and when we have kids of our own well try to teach them the same healthy habits.
But whenever Im at Mum and Dads, its hard to turn my back on the comfort foods of my childhood.
Emily knows that too; she still relishes her mothers fluffy pancakes stuffed with turkey mince, or poppyseed buns, or Mums quick hot sandwiches with sliced ham and melted cheese. Its impossible to say no when youre famished.
Today I rushed home from work, having promised Dad to bring something back for him. He hadnt returned yet, and I didnt want to disappoint him by simply walking away emptyhanded.
Oliver, you hungry? Dinner isnt on yet, want a hot sandwich? Mum shouted from the kitchen, and I couldnt refuse.
I wolfed down the sandwiches, sipping the sweet tea Id had as a child, and chatted with Mum about how things were going. She listened attentively.
Then I asked about their news, more out of habit than curiosityMum and Dad now mostly talk to each other rather than us. Whats new with you lot? I asked. Oh, the usualyoung folks business, our little bits of life. Everythings fine, love, she replied.
I braced myself for the typical Alls well here and was about to launch into another story about myself when Mum, matteroffactly, said,
Weve decided to divorce.
My sandwich almost lodged in my throat.
What? Mum, are you kidding me? Youre my best relativeseveryone envies us! Come on, you must be joking, I blurted, hoping a laugh would dissolve the shock.
Mum gave a calm smile.
Whats so surprising? You always said I spoiled Dad with my love, and he forgave me every time. Yet over the years hes turned into a bit of a tyrant, she said.
Really, Mum, you always teased each other. Dad loves you, you can see it. Dont make a joke of thiswhat did he do wrong? He never meant it, I pleaded.
Im not here to repeat his complaints. Davids a good father and I dont want to tarnish his image for you, but its a joint decision, Mum replied, gazing out the window with a melancholy look. The words left a dry lump in my throat.
Should I call him? Is he coming home soon? I asked.
Give him a ring yourself. We hardly speak these days. Hes started coming late, and I have no idea whats on his mind, she answered.
My appetite vanished along with the cosy feeling of the family home.
What about grandchildren? Just the other day Dad talked about us having grandkidssaid it would be a second youth for you both. How can that happen now? I couldnt shake the news.
If they were simply unhappy, it would be less shocking. But theyve always been inseparable; their house was always open to my friends, a world of its own that now feels like its being torn apart.
I dialled Dads number.
Dad, I brought the money for the TV repair, as promised. Should I book the engineer? You said youd ask your mate. What day works? Will you be home soon? If not, Ill arrange the tech and we can chat another time. Im heading home now, I said.
The call ended, and I began to pack.
Mum, Dad said he wont be back soon. Looks like its serious. Ive left the payment in his room and will call the repairman, I told her.
Both of us fell silent. As I slipped on my coat, I turned and muttered, I never expected this from you. Maybe you think hes found someone else? Hes always been faithful, Mumdont be foolish.
I looked pleadingly at Mum, but she only said, Zip up your coat, the chill will bite. I dont want to discuss this any furtherleave me be.
Not everythings lost if someone cries, I thought, and left the house.
On the drive home I kept replaying ways to mend my parents rift. I remembered how theyd always steered me right, and an idea sparked.
If it works, great; if not, well whatever will be, will be.
The technician turned out to be an old university mate, Mike Turner.
The day the repairman was due, both Mary and David were at home. The front doorbell rang, and David answered. Mike walked in, greeting us, and within minutes the hallway erupted in lively shouts.
Mike, I barely recognised you! Still fixing televisions? Youre a proper tradesman! Your face looks familiarhavent we not seen each other for twenty years? Mary laughed.
Dave, look at you! Same address, same old mugwhat a surprise, Mary! Remember Verity? We used to hang out together, and now here we are! a balding bloke exclaimed.
Mary, eyes widening, cried out, Mike? Where are your ginger curls? Youve changed a lot!
Mary, youre still the same sharp lass, Mike joked, then cleared his throat, Sorry, folks, I got a bit carried awayjust the spirit of the times, you know
They chatted for ages. Mike then rang up Verity, his longtime friend, and shouted, Verity, get over here, Im feeling off, need the address!
Verity, worried, drove straight over. When she arrived, Mike embraced her, Look at the mates Ive foundDave and Mary!
Mike, you scared meI thought you were ill! Verity stammered, then softened as old university memories resurfaced, and she smiled.
The reunion felt like a breath of youth; they laughed, recalled old pranks, and shared stories of sleepless nights and secret notes.
That evening I saw my parents tensions ease, the thought of divorce slipping away. Their plans began to look like one big adventure again.
Oliver, I just realisedyou called Mike over as a TV repairman on purpose, didnt you? Mum whispered one night, the divorce talk now a distant echo.
Instead of parting, Mum, Dad, Mike, and Verity decided to take a weekend camping trip to the lake where theyd once fled as students. Dad packed sleeping bags and his old acoustic guitar; Uncle Mike brought fishing rods and promised a spectacular trout stew; Mary and Verity took charge of the mealsstew, grilled chicken, fish on the fire, and berry cordial.
Can Emily and I join you for the weekend? I asked Mum.
Emily wants to soak up the spirit of your old university brotherhood, hear the tales of the building crewsMikes stories beat any comedian now, Mum replied.
Mary understood the timing; Mikes arrival wasnt accidental. He wasnt really a TV repairman, though together they did manage to get the set working again. What mattered more than the fixed telly was the feeling they all revivedold friendship, shared laughter, and the warmth of togetherness.
Mary pulled me into a hug, saying, Thank you, Oliver, for stopping us from taking that foolish step. It would have been the worst thing ever.
Love can tire, feel dead, and we might start dressing in old habits, but the grudges and arguments only darken the heart. When the devils settle, the angels are still there. I try to remember how it once wasthe merging of souls, accidental touches, the sparkle in each others eyes, the fear of losing it all. If the heart answers, love returns.
Wishing everyone understanding, wisdom, love, and happiness.
