I’ve had enough—That’s it, I’m leaving! How much more can I take!

I’ve had enough, that’s it, I’m leaving! How much can a man take?

“I’ve had enough, that’s it, I’m leaving! How much can a man take? The child, her constant tiredness, ‘help me, help me’ and all I want is to go out like I used to! I want intimacy! I have a job, for heaven’s sake! I want to come home to my beloved wife, the woman I fell for Ill stay with my mate for a bit, then find myself a young lass Ahhh” Sitting behind the wheel, thinking today was the final straw in my relationship with my wife, I smoked nervously.

Our story is as old as the hills. We met, fell head over heels, passion took over, nobody thought about protection, and a few months in she showed me two lines on the test.

Of course, have the baby, well manage, I said confidently, and all the women and old folks nodded, promising to help, just have the child Then came the wedding, the birthtears of joya son!… And that was it the happy carefree life was over, my wife became a tired, frazzled housewife, always dishevelled, the babys endless crying day and night, help me, help me her constant mantra Where did my girl go? Family vanished the moment things got tough We were left alone with parenthood.

Im not ready! I said to my wife today and slammed the door as she stood there in tears, the baby screaming in her arms.

A screech of brakes a hunched figure suddenly appeared in front of the car.

Do you have a death wish? leaping out of the car, I ran up to the figure.

The man in the old coat straightened, gazed at me with weary, sorrowful eyes, and whispered,

Yes.

Caught off guard, I hesitated.

Sir, do you need help? Is there something I can do?

I dont want to live anymore.

Whats gotten into you? Let me give you a lift home, you can tell me about it, maybe I can help? I gently took the old mans hand and led him to the car.

So go on, mate, tell me, I lit another cigarette.

Its a long story.

Ive got time.

The old man looked me over, glanced at the photo hanging above the dash.

Fifty years ago I met a girl, fell for her instantly. Everything happened fast, before we knew it we had a family, a child, a son, an heir seemed like happiness! But I wanted things to stay as they werelove, passion, youth. My wife became worn out with our boy and the everyday grind, work needed doing, I dumped it all on her, never helped… Then found another woman at work, started something My wife found out, divorce, game over. Nothing came from that new woman, didnt bother me, went off to enjoy myself. My wife remarried, flourished, and our boy started calling her new husband Dad, and Iwell, I didnt care.

And what about you? I asked nervously, lighting another cigarette.

Me? I partied away my life, ended up with no family, no wife, no children. Today, my son turned fiftyI went to congratulate him, wouldnt even let me past the door, the old man wept, my own fault. He said, Youre not my father, go back to your party days.

So, where can I take you, sir? I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel.

I live just round the corner, go on, dont worry about me The old man got out and shuffled towards a block of flats nearby. I made sure he went inside, waited a bit, then drove off. Stopping at the supermarket, I picked up some flowers.

Forgive me, forgive me, I said, kneeling in front of my crying wife when I walked through the door, have a rest, my love.

I took our son from her arms, went to another room, rocking him as I softly sang in my hoarse voice, Go to sleep, little toys

Astonished, my son drifted off quickly, tiny hand resting trustingly on my hammering heart. I looked at him tenderly: I want to watch my son grow up, to hear him call me Daddy.

Saving lost souls again? laughed the elderly lady as her husband came through the door. Smiling, he hung up his coat.

Yeah, I did someone has to drill basic truths into young folk.

And how do you sense who needs saving?

I needed saving myself at that age

Come to dinner, hero. And remember, tomorrows your sons big birthday. No rescuing anyone in the evening, she looked at him with love.

I havent forgotten. After all, its fifty years for our boy, for the love we shared how could I? Truly smiling, he took her arm as they went into the kitchen.