What's today's date?
Oh, I remember that. Today's 2 December. My husband's birthday. I gifted him a ring and baked him his favourite cheesecake.
So, how long have you two been married?
Twenty four years.
For a sixty seven year old that appeared rather less.
This was a second marriage for us both.
Oh. Where did you guys meet?
Just at the Figtree club. I had just split from my first husband. He was a house-buddy, an introvert. While I was a free-bird type refusing to be caged. But then I realised even after the amicable split, I was still confined to my homestead, rather bound by habit. And then just one evening I decided to take a walk to the local pub and there was him.
Did he live in the neighborhood?
No, he was visiting from Perth, working on a construction site.
And?
Then he came up to me and asked me for a dance.
Um, hm.
And for reasons still unknown to me, I just let my hand in his and we danced and danced and danced. Swooning, gyrating to the tunes all night. We were the only left on the dance floor. And when we stopped, everyone in the club clapped for a whole minute.
Oh, wow.
Many asked, how long have you been dancing together? To which we said in one voice, we have only just met.
So, the chemistry was instant, eh?
And palpable, even to the onlookers.
That night I declined his offer to let him walk me home. I had to process on the lonely walk back home on the autumn night what had just happened. There was something more to it than just .. whatever. Something more than the just dead leaves had fallen that eve.
And?
And, the next evening and the evening after we danced and danced.
Wow.
Now we are married for twenty-four years. And going on a road trip over the Chrissy break.
Is the dance still on?
Yes, joints permitting, she chucked, we have had our moments, where things didn't seem as swooning. But anyone who says they don't have fights in a marriage is either lying or trying to hide something more serious than just a dysfunctional marriage.
Hmmm.
Don't take me wrong. My ex-husband and I are still good friends. We have five children between us. It helps for the children, you know?
I knew. But... didn't say anything.
He was just not my kind. But he realised I had different ways of looking at and enjoying life. And he was the one who asked me to go and explore the world outside the walls that were growing between us.
He had almost finished injecting the Botox in her neck and felt relieved he wouldn't have to think up what small talk to have with her for the next three months at least.
And she left.
From his clinic's tinted window, he could see her get into the car that was parked just next to his office. He was curious to look at her second husband. But a much younger man, possibly her son got out of the driver side and held the door open for her.
Where to now, Mom?
St Agnes Church. Did you get the flowers?
Yes
Your dad's favourite beige roses in a bunch.
Yes
Today is the twenty-fourth anniversary of his leaving the world.
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