Sarah Whitmore staggered into the bustling NHS clinic, her right ankle twisted badly from a sudden misstep. She could barely stay upright when a bald man darted past her, slipping in front of the doctors door just before she could. Exhausted, Sarah sank onto a plastic chair, muttering under her breath, Typical men always push ahead! A woman nearby leaned in, Hes been here all morning, still cant get the right prosthetic. She laughed, Thats my neighbour Andy a good bloke, but lifes never been kind to him. Lost his leg, his wife left him, and now he hops around on one foot, all alone. At that moment a limpstaggered man emerged from the consultation room, smiling, and winked at Sarah and the woman. Ladies, shall we carry on living? he chuckled, thumping his foot and heading for the exit.
Sarah smirked at the ladies remark. It no longer applied to her. Shed married young, her husband twelve years her senior. Both were born under the same zodiac sign the Dog and Paul, a true dog lover, soon bought a sturdy mastiff they named Rex. Within months Sarah discovered she was pregnant. Friends gushed, What a perfect family flat, car, countryside cottage, dog, and a baby on the way! But at six months she suffered a miscarriage, and the baby theyd hoped for was gone. Paul tried to console her, then said, Were not as young as we used to be, but we have Rex. Sarah adored the dog, and Paul entered Rex in shows, yet a pet could never replace a child.
At a dog show Paul met Olivia, who also owned a mastiff. She soon confessed that she and Paul would have a child together, insisting she was young and spry, unlike Sarah, who felt already aged. Olivia was nearly twenty years younger than Paul, a fact that only widened the gap Sarah felt between herself and her husbands world. Retirement is just around the corner, Paul would say, as if the same applied to her.
One week later, Sarahs ankle had almost healed. She returned to the clinic and encountered the same bald man again. Excuse me, miss, please go ahead of me, he said with a apologetic grin, squeezing past the waiting line. The nurse called out, Next! but the man lingered. Youre invited in, he whispered, Im Andy Hart. And you are Sarah? I guessed right, didnt I? A lovely name for a lovely pair of eyes. May I escort you as a fellow wheelchair user?
Sarah replied dryly, If Im a lovely girl, you dont look much like a wheelchairbound man yourself. They left together, Andy offering his arm as Sarah still limped. Fancy a coffee? he suggested, pointing to a tiny café down the hall. Cheap, tasty, and I havent even had breakfast yet.
Andys charm was effortless, and soon he asked Sarah to meet again. Sarah, dont say Im in a hurry, but Im scared someone will overtake me on the road and Ill be left behind, he confessed one afternoon, Im lame and bald, and youre a beautiful young woman! He paused, then, Sarah, marry me. Dont think weve known each other long; I want to spend the rest of my life learning about you. I have a flat, a job, Im a solid man. He fell silent, eyes searching hers, then lowered his head, as if expecting rejection. Who needs a cripple today when everyone wants health and wealth?
Sarah laughed, Andy, youre the best. I was hesitant, but Ill say yes! Their wedding was a whirlwind, and within weeks Sarah discovered she was pregnant. The thought had never crossed her mind; she had long resigned herself to a childless future. Yet life seemed to rewind, gifting her youth, beauty, and love again.
Look, Andy, our little Sammy has the curliest hair, Sarah cooed, holding her newborn. Andy ran a hand over his own smooth bald scalp, Im a bald, onelegged man now, but I once was a goldenhaired lad. Our sons eyes are yours, his curls yours. He laughed, eyes shining.
Sarah clung to Andys shoulder, I cant believe we have a child. If we hadnt met, none of this would exist. Tears welled, and she sobbed. Andy, startled, whispered, Sarah, stop. Its alright, love. Look at our son he had to be here. We met for a reason; Id have vanished without you. He brushed a stray tear from her cheek.
Im crying from happiness, Sarah said, wiping her eyes and pressing closer to him. For the first time in my life Im shedding tears of joy. A smile brightened her face, and a single tear glittered on her lashes like a diamond. She felt rich beyond measure.
Because the greatest wealth is children, and true happiness is love.
