Only nine of us today Ann continued her story of the down and out being pursued by an older woman. Sally a very confused lady. Pat day dreamed and forgot her dentist appointment. Isaac and his ghost with an interest in shoes. Rosemary on the downside of getting better sight. I told about a fortune teller seeing a demon. Joan coming of Spring. Sue told of her and her sister's painting a shed. John story read by Brian all about the war and the air-force.
Next month's "Desperate search".
Ann won most votes.
Uncomfortable Clarity
As she hurried up the road, Marian smiled to herself. What would people think seeing an elderly lady running after a young man and calling out for him to "Stop, please"? She could see him in the distance now limping along. He must have heard her, as he turned and recognising who it was, stopped and waited. She caught up with him and suddenly felt a little foolish. "I didn't thank you properly in the shop for returning my purse. The shopkeeper said you live at the hostel up the road, so you must have left the bus before your stop. Let me give you something for your honesty." She opened her purse to take out a note, but he put his hand over hers and said he didn't need rewarding. He was only doing what any self-respecting person would do. She realised with uncomfortable clarity that she had been guilty of a crime we all commit from time to time. She had prejudged him because of his appearance and the thought disturbed her. Marian suddenly found herself asking him if she could meet him in town sometime and buy him a coffee. He looked a little taken aback, but said he would like that and introduced himself as Daniel. They arranged a day, time and place, said goodnight, and went their separate ways.
When she closed the front door behind her, Marian suddenly wondered what on earth had come over her. She had propositioned a young stranger and he had accepted. She must be mad, but she was curious to find out more about him. She wondered what her friends would think of her when she told them what she had done. It was probably a good job she wouldn't be seeing them for another month. They would probably tell her to forget the whole thing. She had no intention of doing that though and on the day in question, made her way into town on the earlier bus to make sure she was there on time. She had suggested the restaurant in one of the large stores, thinking it would be a safer place than some back street cafe and also giving her a place to browse while waiting. It wasn't long before she saw him coming through the door. He saw her and smiling made his way over to her. "I wondered if you'd come", said Marian.
"I had no intention of missing out on an offer from a lady", he cheekily replied. They made their way to the restaurant and while he went to select a table, Marian got them some coffee and cakes. Once settled down in a quiet corner, she asked him to tell her about himself.
"Well you know my name is Daniel and I live at the hostel", he replied.
"What else do you want to know?"
"How did you come to end up there", asked Marian.
"It's rather a long story" was the reply.
"Well I'm in no hurry. Are you?" she said. So he began to tell her his tale. His mother had died when he was five and after a few years his father had remarried. Unfortunately his stepmother resented his bond with his father and in true wicked stepmother style, hatched a plot to get him out of her hair and the family home so she could have her new husband to herself. He was sent off to boarding school at the tender age of nine. At first he hated it, but after a while realising this was his lot for the next few years, he decided to make the most of the opportunities he had. He did well academically and got good grades, however when he left, the job situation was beginning to take a down turn and the only job he could get was at McDonalds. He was working his way up the ladder and although he hoped one day to better himself, he was prepared to learn as much as he could there. "So what happened to your leg then?"
"Well that's another story. I was knocked down one evening on my way home from work by a hit and run merchant. I had very serious leg injuries and was in hospital in traction for months. I lost my job because of it and consequently my flat, as I couldn't pay the rent. Friends helped out for a while, but I eventually ended up at the hostel and now I can't get another job. I think it's partly because of where I live and partly because of the way I am. I'm sure I will get something one day and then I can prove I'm a good worker". They spent the remaining time chatting about things in general and Marian found him to be a very well informed, intelligent young man for just twenty-two. She enjoyed his company and asked him if he would consider having coffee with her again. He said he would love that as he had enjoyed talking to her. They arranged to meet the following week and the week after. By this time Marian was already bursting to tell her friends about her new drinking partner.
At their next meal she waited for everyone else to tell their news and then came out with hers. As she had expected they told her she had taken a chance doing what she had done, but when she came out with her proposal, they were dumbstruck. She told them she had thought long and hard and was going to offer Daniel her spare bedroom. He would have a proper address and hopefully, a better chance of getting a job. She liked him and felt comfortable with him.
"Some things you just feel are right and this is one of them. My mind is made up".
