Читать книгу Nasty people - Shelley A Dewar - Страница 14

John

The man of her dreams

By the time I was twenty eight, my faith and trust in men had been totally destroyed. As far as I was concerned, they could never be trusted in any way, shape or form but for one I hadn’t yet met. He would be the one who would change all that, especially where my Mum was concerned.

At the time and prior to meeting this person, I was so happy for my Mum that she was now doing what she wanted and when she wanted.

She even started going to a social dance club and loved it and for once in her life, she was so excited to be involved with something out of the ordinary, for her anyway. It was great to see her finally stepping out of her comfort zone and have some enjoyment in her life. Even when us kids would go and visit her, she would tell us about all the new people she had met but there was one particular. Yes a man! He had turned up one night and sat opposite her at the group table she was sitting at. Straight away the questions were flying out of our mouths! Yes we were nosy but hey, we wanted and needed to know about this person. We were now older and didn’t need or want another prick in our Mum’s life, or ours for that matter! She told us his name was John and that he seemed to be very pleasant. More details please Mum! He was little taller than her with a slim physique, short fair hair and pretty good looking. He was also very witty and exactly what she was looking for in a partner but then she told us he had separated but still living with his partner and was probably not ready or looking for another woman just yet so she had to be realistic and give up any chance. Until:

The next time she went to the dance he was there again and once again, he sat opposite her at the group table.

John then got up from the table and went around to where my Mum was sitting and asked her for a dance. What the hell? Maybe he did like my Mum after all. Only time would tell I suppose.

Mum looked at him a bit dumbfounded and didn’t know what to say at first but then said, “That would be lovely.” He then grabbed her hand and led her toward the dance floor. When they started dancing she became shy and nervous and he could see this and laughed, which put her at ease.

While they were dancing, everyone’s eye’s was watching them as they swept the floor with their graceful elegance. When they finally sat down, people were coming up to their table and telling them how beautifully they danced together.

Was this the first sign that they belonged together?

Once people stopped coming up to their table they started talking but Mum needed a drink to relax because she was still so nervous. After it had hit the spot she couldn’t help but ask about his partner he had just split with. “Wow, news travels fast,” he said. He told her they had separated because she didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere and he had become bored with her and the relationship.

Next thing we knew, Mum had invited us kids to come to our family home to meet John.

What a little devil my Mum was. Alrighty!

One by one we turned up and met him and he was just so different to the men Mum had been with in the past. He didn’t look at all like an arsehole which was a good sign. In fact, he was an absolute gentleman, easy going and very witty so he was moulding in rather well.

Eventually Mum and John started seeing each other on a regular basis and Mum was so happy but two weeks later it all changed.

I rocked up to see Mum and when I walked in the front door she broke down straight away. Why? What was wrong?

Immediately I went up to her, put my arms around her and I asked her what was wrong. She told me John had decided to go back to his partner and try with her again. I had to let my Mum go as my blood started to boil and by now I was furious! I knew this was hurting my Mum and I didn’t like it one bit. I looked at her and the profanities’ that were coming out of my mouth were not nice. “How dare he do this to you: are you not good enough for him?”

Mum didn’t like me being upset and told me to calm down so she could tell me the reason why he went back to her.

Once I calmed down, she started to explain why and even though I was reluctant to listen, I had no choice. She told me, because he had been with this woman for so long, he felt he had an obligation to not just walk out on her. He had to at least see if they could work again and to show this woman some sort of respect.

I then said to my Mum, “So in the meantime you have to wait around like a puppet to see what he wants.”

She said, “No, he doesn’t want me to wait.”

I was in disbelief and could feel myself getting angrier than before, but then Mum walked up to the kitchen sink and started crying again. I knew then that I had to calm down once and for all because it was upsetting her even more with me going on about it.

I walked up to her and put my arms around her and told her I was sorry. I then held my head up and said with confidence, “He’ll be back, give it time.” She said, “I don’t think so.” I told her he will realise how much he misses you and how much fun you have together. She said, “You reckon?”

I said, “Yep, I’ll bet you my last dollar on it!” Gees, I’m good!

As the days went by, my Mum was still upset because it was hard accepting the fact that John wasn’t coming back. But then:

Three weeks after he left, he telephoned Mum and told her he missed her and that he had made a huge mistake.

He then asked her if she would be willing to start where they left off. What a bloody cheek!

Mum was angry at first but realized this man did have some integrity by trying to do the right thing by his partner of many years so this was telling her something about this man at least and because she missed him big time, it helped to forgive him.

After they had been together for a while, John moved in with Mum but then they decided to rent Mum’s house out and get a unit. The reason being is because John didn’t want to feel like he was living or sponging off Mum. He wanted to be where he felt a balance in a home they could call theirs. Sounds familiar?

After about two years of living there, Mum got homesick for her house so they decided to move back.

Another five years went by and the love and respect they had for each other was amazing! You could tell they loved each more and more every time you saw them.

I had never known my Mum to be so content and happy with any man but John. He was a beautiful person and we all adored him and he was now part of our family.

I had just turned thirty six and the big question was popped! “Will you marry me?”“Of course I will John!” I say, “What took you so long, you big hunk of spunk?”

The entire family was so excited for them and we couldn’t wait! I was to be Matron of honour and my brother was to give her away.

They were married in my back garden which had a free standing pergola away from the house and even though the weather was pretty shitty, it was sheltered.

I also had a fairly long footpath from the house to the pergola which was ideal for my brother to walk my Mum down. Not just my brother and I were proud because we were part of the ceremony, all us kids were. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.

The reception was at a bowling club which meant informal but comfortable surroundings.

The most beautiful part of the night was when my Mum and John danced the bridal waltz. As always, they swept the floor together with such elegance and grace. What a fun day and night!

After their wedding, nothing changed except the love between them grew even stronger than before. They adored each other!

It was about two years later when Mum decided she needed a change in scenery and wanted to move to the country or some sort of remote area. It was something she had always wanted and dreamed but John wasn’t so keen. He was happy living in suburbia area but because he loved my Mum so much and wanted her to be happy, he agreed. Before they moved, Mum sold our family home thinking she would never move back and the country life would be her destiny. Not! The house they moved into was fairly large and virtually in the middle of nowhere and Mum at first loved it and John was slowly becoming accustomed to this new country life only because he really didn’t have a choice now and had to make the most of it. He got himself some homing pigeons, chooks and ducks which he loved to look after and he was quite happy but Mum ironically started to feel isolated because she was so far away from everything and everyone and regretted selling her house. But what was she going to do? She decided she also had to accept where she was and that our family home was no longer hers and that she too had to make the most of where she was.

After thirteen years of living there, John became sick. He had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and it was spreading to his liver and at the time, I didn’t realize how seriously ill he was and because John being a strong and fit man, I never thought something like this could ever take him down, so I never really worried too much. In my mind a few treatment sessions would cure him. I was obviously in denial.

It wasn’t until me and my bitch partner at the time went and had lunch at a tavern with Mum and John.

We met in the carpark and when John got out of the car I then realized how ill he really was. Trying to be strong, I went up to him and put my arms around him and hugged him. I then took his hand, held it tight and walked with him in front of my Mum and bitch partner and walked toward the tavern. After a couple of hours, John was getting very tired and it was time we left. If only I had known that would be the last time I ever saw John alive. Don’t ever take people’s lives for granted and think they will be here for ever. That day I could have said goodbye or I love you. Fuck! It still hurts!

In loving memory of John

My faith and trust in men was destroyed until my mother met you, making her one of the happiest women in the world for twenty four years. I never knew my mother to be so content with any other man, not even my father. She adored you and it showed in every way. The love and respect you had for one another, you don't find very often. You had a kind and gentle heart and were one of the easiest people to get along with. Your witty sense of humour was always welcoming and it was never judgemental on anyone’s part. You also never put anyone down although I had seen you annoyed at times but that’s normal, you were only human and when your human left this world, you took a piece of my Mums heart with you. You always did say you hoped you would go first because you could never handle it the other way around, now that is true love. It’s been nearly five years since you left and I know Mum misses you terribly and I don’t think time will ever make a difference because I still see and hear her cries sometimes and it hurts me because I feel her pain but there is nothing I can do but to give her a big hug.

I was so very proud to call you my step dad and I thank you for making my Mum happy; we all are. I will always love, miss and be thankful for your existence John (Dad)