I divorced my first husband many years ago.
Oh, how he wore me out!
It took me a long time to recover after that marriage.
He didn’t work, spent my money on alcohol, and took things out of the house.
And I put up with it all because I had a son growing up.
But one day, when Gabriel was 12 years old, he came up to me, looked me straight in the eye and said:
Mum, why do you put up with this?
Throw him out!
At that moment, it was as if a veil fell from my eyes, and without hesitation I threw my husband out of the house.
What a joy it was – I can’t even put it into words.
Later I had suitors, but I never planned a serious relationship.
I was afraid of falling into the trap again.
The last four years have been especially hard.
My son went to work in Canada and decided to stay there forever.
And I don’t want to leave – it’s too late for me to get used to another country.
The period of the pandemic was particularly difficult for me – no one came to visit me.
And over time the loneliness became unbearable.
At least find a friend to talk to! – my friend urged me.
You see, I look at men my age, and they all seem old and decrepit to me.
I’m ashamed to go out in public with them.
Why would I do that?
To court someone in my old age?
They’re not looking for a mate, they’re looking for a carer.
Then meet someone younger.
You look great!
Those words got me thinking.
And somehow it happened that I started to communicate with a man who lived in the neighbouring house.
Every day he walked his dog in the park next to our houses.
His name was Jon.
Divorced, his ex-wife had gone to Italy, and he had a grown daughter.
He looked very good – a tall, charming man of 49.
I, on the other hand, as I said, was 62.
We started talking, and he courted me so beautifully – he brought me flowers almost every day.
I didn’t even notice how he had already moved in with me.
Everyone around me wondered how such an attractive and interesting man could be interested in me.
I confess – I enjoyed this attention.
Every day I cooked him delicious meals, happily washed and ironed his clothes.
But one day he told me:
You could walk my dog.
It’s good for you to be outdoors more often!
Let’s go together.
Maybe we shouldn’t be out in public together too often.
‘Is he ashamed of me?’ – I thought.
And then I realised I’d become his housekeeper.
I decided to have a serious talk with him.
I think household chores should be shared equally.
You can iron your own clothes.
And you can walk your dog yourself.
Look, if you want a young and handsome man, you have to please him.
Otherwise, what’s the point of all this?
You have 30 minutes to pack your things and leave!
What?
I can’t. My daughter’s already brought her boyfriend into my flat.
So live together!
I didn’t hesitate to kick him out of the house.
But I’ll admit, I was sad.
Doesn’t a woman my age have a chance to find true love anymore?
I still yearn for tenderness…..
