Are you saying he actually wants to come back? I asked, puzzled, as Emily tried to explain her brothers sudden confession. For fifteen years weve been strangers ever since the divorce.
Its true, Alex admitted, searching for the right words. I understand that when people are young they make mistakes, but theres nothing left to split now.
Theres nothing at all that binds us, except you, the woman said, bewildered. You and Charlotte are grown, you have your own families and decide who to keep in touch with. What does that make me?
Your father figured youd never listen to him, so he asked Charlotte and me to deliver a little message, Alex tried to justify. It would have been easier for Charlotte and me if we knew you were still living together and supporting each other.
Emily was still gathering her thoughts when her daughter called, reopening the sore subject.
Mum, you have to understand, its our father and his health is failing, the girl pleaded.
When your father was young and full of vigor he never thought about me at all. Now everythings changed, Maya, trying not to lose her temper, replied. Maybe youve forgotten he abandoned me and you for another woman years ago!
But they split long ago, and it would be nice for you two to live together now that youre getting older, Darla pressed her point.
The conversation left Maya heavyhearted. Shed given everything to the marriage, never tried to rebuild her life after the split, fearing to hurt her children whod already struggled with their own teenage heartbreaks when their parents walked out. Now it seemed they spoke different languages, barely hearing each other. A memory of Anthonys departure resurfaced, making things worse.
I dont love you any longer, hed said then, averting his eyes. Ive found someone else and I want to spend the rest of my days with her.
What about the kids? shed asked, voice shaking.
Youll go on as before, just without me, hed continued. The flat is yours. Ill see the children when I can and help with money, but I dont love you anymore.
You ever thought how theyd take your leaving at my age? Maya could still not believe it.
Theyll cope. Theyll learn the realities of adult life. Its wrong to live without love, sorry, hed said, ending the talk.
Anthony kept his word. He claimed no right to the house after the divorce and stayed with his new partner. He met the children on neutral ground, too shy to step back into the flat, and his new wife never invited them over. Maya once tried to explain the reasons for the split to her son and daughter, but they refused to go into detail.
Our father said it was his decision and asked us to respect it, Alex, now a grownup man, said sharply. Its hard for Charlotte, but eventually things will settle.
For Maya nothing settled. She missed her husband, wept into her pillow at night, and rejected friends attempts to set her up with anyone else. He only reminded her of himself when he phoned.
Were planning a holiday, and Ive left my fishing gear on the loft, he said that day. Can I pick it up on Saturday? I asked the kids to bring it, but they didnt know where it was.
Alright, come by, Maya answered as calmly as she could.
She spent the days before Saturday rehearsing the conversation, deciding to show her ex that she could thrive without him, even thinking of meeting him in full view of the world. Then she thought it would look absurd and changed her mind.
Youve lost weight, she remarked, watching Anthony pack his boxes. Is your new wife not feeding you?
She feeds me, I just work a lot, he muttered, reluctant to discuss his new life.
If you need, I can cook for you or send your wife my favourite recipes, Maya blurted, knowing how foolish she sounded but unable to stop.
Your sarcasm suits you not, Anthony said, weary. Were strangers now. Well always share children, later grandchildren, and thats all there is.
Are you sure about that? she asked, hopeful.
Yes, he replied firmly.
He then left for his new wife, and Maya sat alone in the kitchen, tears of selfpity spilling over. In the year after the divorce shed lost a lot of weight, tried to pull herself together, feigned happiness, yet secretly clung to the hope that Anthony would come to his senses and return. She knew people would judge, but she was ready to take him back and forget the past.
Dad and his woman split three years ago, her children told her later. Hes moved into a room in a student hall.
That news oddly sparked a glimmer of hope for a possible reunion. Maya started dressing stylishly, tended to her appearance, and waited for his first move. Friends whispered that shed sorted her love life, but she brushed off the details with jokes. She waited, Anthony didnt return, and eventually he settled with another woman. He even attended his sons wedding, arriving alone while Charlotte came by herself.
Why alone? Maya asked.
Irina was on a business trip, couldnt make it, but she sent her congratulations, he answered calmly.
With time Maya began to view things differently, stopped waiting, and found solace in work, buying a cottage out of town, and devoting free hours to herself. Her children now had their own lives, and she filled hers with friends, relatives, flowers, and, one day, a stray cat she brought home. Life settled into a routine that felt understandableuntil the children brought up the old argument again. A few days of agitation left her unsure how to act, when she spotted Anthony returning from work at her buildings entrance.
I figured we should leave the bad stuff behind, he said, sitting at her kitchen table with a mug of tea. Most of lifes behind us, the negativity has grown like weeds, and its not worth revisiting. Lets finish our days together and raise grandchildren.
Be honest, why come back to our flat rather than stay with any of your other partners? Maya asked, no longer feigning happiness.
My health isnt what it used to be, Im retiring next year, he replied plainly. Our kids are good people; they wont abandon us and will even bring us a glass of water in old age.
Do you remember calling us strangers? she asked, meeting his eyes. I understood it later, and now I agree completely.
So you wont take me back? he asked.
You neednt worry, you always said the kids are good; they wont let you down, Maya answered. You crossed me out of your life years ago, let it stay that way.
Anthony left again, and Maya stayed in her favourite armchair, turned off her phone, knowing hed soon call the children and theyd bombard her with questions and pleas. All she wanted now was quiet and peace. Shed waited so long for his return that the hope finally burnt out. If he had spoken of wanting to grow old together, perhaps she would have taken him back. But he cared only for his own comfort, and no one wanted to console Maya. She still had her children, friends, cottage, and cat, and that seemed enough.
