A quantum of solace. 1/11/2007
Human relationships are funny things. Sometimes, you may see a couple, who look well suited for each other, have a relationship that mutually self destructs. They may have invested time, and money, sweat and blood and tears, in their relationship. But there comes a time when push comes to shove, and someone has to leave.
Many, many moons ago, I had just washed the 750, and decided to take her out for a short run around the neighbourhood to dry the engine off. I was cruising around, sans helmet, enjoying the breeze in my hair. Yes, I had hair then. As I was riding around, in front of me I saw a young woman, carrying a baby, maybe about 6 months old. I didn’t give this a second thought, thinking that this was just a mother taking her baby out for an evening stroll.
As I drew closer, I noticed that her eyes were red and puffy, and she looked very tired. She held her hand out, waving me to a stop. Which I did. I drew up alongside her. She was dressed in a faded white t-shirt, and shorts. Her baby was this cute, chubby, bouncy boy. She looked very stressed, and her hair was a mess. Fatigue was written all over her face.
She looked at me, and asked if I knew if there was a room that she could rent anywhere. She said that she and her baby had been walking for hours, and that she had no where to go. I wondered what was going on here. I was just riding along, minding my own business, and I suddenly meet this person who I suspected may not have been all quite there. I replied that I was sorry that I knew of no place where she could rent a room. Not that she could have rented one. She wasn’t carrying a handbag, nor could I see any sign of a wallet in her shorts.
I switched off the engine on the bike, and kicked the sidestand down. On closer inspection, she was very young, not much older than I was, at the time. Her eyes were red from crying. Her baby was looking around in curiosity, as babies are wont to do. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that she had just fought with her husband, and she had walked out, taking the baby with her. I was loathe to get involved in this. I had, at that point, witnessed way too many domestic arguments, and get caught up in someone else’s argument was a losing proposition.
But something inside me couldn’t refuse helping her. I asked her what she wanted to do, and all she said was that she was tired from walking and carrying her baby, and she just wanted somewhere to rest. I told her to wait right there. I got back on the bike, and scooted off back home, and came back in the car. When she saw the car, she was a little freaked I guess. Red V-8 supercars were a rarity in that part of the woods, where the prefered vehicle of choice was a big four wheel drive.
I helped her get in, and her sigh of relief at sitting down was audible. I drove her back to my place, and showed her in. I asked her to sit down, and if she wanted a drink. She gratefully asked for some water. I sat down, and asked her how I could help. She then told me what had happened.
She had just had the baby a few months ago, and everything was fine, until post partum depression kicked in. They had had a huge fight, and it basically came down to her storming out of the house, with the baby, and leaving her husband. I didn’t know quite what to say. At that time, a situation like this was way outside my experience.
I told her the only thing I could do was to give her a place to rest for a while, and said she was free to use my telephone to call a family member. She replied that she was out of town, and knew no one in this city. I sighed. This was becoming more difficult. I then called a female friend, and explained the situation to her. My friend came over quickly, and I left the 2 of them to sit down and talk, while I finished cleaning up the bike.
They came out shortly after, and my friend told me that she was taking her to a women’s shelter, where they had professionals to deal with things like these. I breathed a sigh of relief, and wished the woman and her baby well. Sometimes, today, I wonder what has happened to her, and her child. Did she return to her husband? Did she leave, and start a new life? Is she happy now?
No one knows this, or at least no one who can tell me. Sometimes, we wonder about what might have been, or what might be. It is only human nature to do so. Sometimes, a quantum of solace is all that is needed. And when it is gone, then there is nothing left.
- Posted in : General
- Author : thesnark
Comments»
U did the correct thing. If I am that lady, I shall be very very gratefull, in this situation any help is appreciated even from total stranger.
Now there’s a biker for you: “My friend came over quickly, and I left the 2 of them to sit down and talk, while I finished cleaning up the bike.” lol