Dear Diary,
I hobbled my way into the local GP surgery today, my ankle twisted badly after an unlucky stumble. I could barely stay upright when a lanky, bald man zipped past me, cutting in line and disappearing right into the consulting room before I could even reach the reception desk. Exhausted, I slumped onto a chair and muttered under my breath, Typical mennever letting anyone get ahead. A woman standing nearby caught my sigh and replied, Hes been here all morning, trying to sort out a prosthetic. Hes just rushed in again, hoping theyll finally find something suitable. She chuckled and added, Thats Andy Hughes, my neighbour. Hes a good bloke, but lifes never been kind to himlost his leg up to the knee, his wife left him, and hes had no children or close family to lean on. At that instant, Andy, slightly limping, emerged from the doctor’s office with a grin, winked at me and my new acquaintance, and called out, Ladies, shall we make the most of it? before stamping his foot and heading for the exit.
I laughed at the word ladies it no longer felt like it applied to me. I married young, twelve years my senior, but we shared the same zodiac sign, both Canines, and Paul loved dogs as much as I did. We soon got a mastiff, Buster, and I discovered I was pregnant. Friends gushed, What a perfect familyflat in Manchester, a decent car, a cosy cottage up north, a dog, and a baby on the way! Yet at six months, I suffered a miscarriage; we never got to hold our son. Paul tried to console me, then said, Were not as young as we used to be, but we have Buster now. I loved Buster; Paul took him to dog shows, but a dog could never replace a child.
At a show, Paul met Olivia Turner, who also owned a mastiff. Soon enough, Olivia cornered me with the news that she and Paul would have a childshe was young and would bear a healthy baby, she claimed. Shes as fresh as new grass, while youre getting on a bit, she teased. Olivia was at least twenty years younger than Paul, and I couldnt help feeling even older, as if my life had just sped past in a flash. Retirement is just around the corner, Paul would say, as if it applied to me too.
One week later, after my ankle had nearly healed, I returned to the surgery and ran into the same bald man again. Sorry, love, go ahead of me, he said with a apologetic smile, slipping past the queue. When I left the doctors room, he lingered by the door. The nurse called out, Next! and I heard the man whisper, Youre invited, though he never entered the consulting room. He introduced himself, Andrew, but you can call me Andy. And you must be Emma? I figured that from your clear eyes. Fancy a companion for a lone disabled bloke? I replied with a grin, If Im the pretty one, you dont look much like a disabled man at all. We stepped out together; Andy offered his arm for support as I still limped.
He suggested a nearby tea room, Cozy and cheap, my treat. I havent even had breakfast yet. The conversation flowed easily, and he asked to see me again, which I didnt refuse. One evening he confessed, Emma, dont say Im in a hurry, Im just afraid someone will overtake me at a turn and Ill be left behind. Im lame, bald, and youre a beautiful young woman! He paused, then solemnly added, Emma, will you marry me? Dont think we dont know each other well enoughI want to spend the rest of my life learning about you. I have a flat, a steady job, Im a sturdy bloke. He looked at me expectantly, then lowered his head, as if sensing my hesitation. Its no wonder Im asking a disabled man; everyone wants someone fit and wealthy these days.
I burst out laughing, Andy, youre the best. It felt awkward to say yes straight away, but I do agree! Incredibly, shortly after our wedding I discovered I was pregnant again. I never imagined Id have a child; Id long given up hope. Yet joy rushed in, making me feel young, beautiful, and loved once more.
When our son, Charlie, was born with a head full of curls, I marveled, Look at you, Charliesuch a cheeky little curl! Andy ran his hand over his bald head and grinned, Im this bald, knobby thing now, but I used to be a goldenhaired eagle. Our boy has his mothers eyes and his fathers curls. I clung to his shoulder, overwhelmed, I cant believe this is ours. If we hadnt met, none of this would exist. Tears slipped down my cheeks; Andy, startled, whispered, Emma, stop crying, love. Look at our boyhe had to be here. We met for a reason; without you Id be lost. I wiped my tears, hugging him tighter, Im crying from happiness now, truly happy for the first time. My eyes sparkled like tiny diamonds.
It feels as if the greatest wealth is our child and the deepest happiness is love. I finally understand what it means to feel rich.
