My dear, do not think ill of me! I am not a vagrant. Call me Michael Seymour. I came to visit my daughterhard to speak of that now
Only a few hours remained before the New Year. All the staff had long since gone home, yet nobody was waiting for Irene
To avoid having to work on the first of January, she decided to finish her duties in advance.
She would still make it home; a couple of salads, fruit and a bottle of sparkling wine waited for her in the fridge, prepared beforehand. She had no one to dress for. She longed to slip off her heels and pull on a soft nightgown.
It turned out that she and Andrew had split a few months earlier, and the breakup had been so painful that Irene was in no hurry to start new relationships. It was easier for her to be alone.
Andrew tried to win her back, calling several times, but Irene would not begin anew; nothing good would come of it, they were not a match, it was simply too hard.
She did not even want to think of him; the past was the past, why spoil the holiday?
Irene stepped off the bus. Just a few more steps and she would be at home.
Near the entrance, on a bench, she suddenly noticed an elderly gentleman. Beside him stood a modest fir tree.
Perhaps hes visiting someone, she thought.
She greeted him and he nodded, without meeting her eyes.
For a moment she thought she saw tears glint in his eyes, or perhaps it was the reflection of the streetlights, but she paid it no mind and hurried inside.
The evening grew chilly and Irene shivered.
After a quick shower she slipped into her favourite fluffy nightgown, poured a cup of coffee and walked to the window.
Strangely, the old man was still sitting on the bench.
More than an hour had passed since Irene arrived home, two hours left until the New Year. If he had come to visit, why was he still out in the cold? And that sparkle in his eyes! she mused.
She set the table, switched on the fairy lights on her own small tree, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the lonely old man.
Half an hour later she peered out the window; he sat unmoving.
Perhaps hes not well? He could be freezing, she thought.
She threw on a coat and went outside.
Approaching the bench she sat beside him.
He glanced at Irene and turned away.
Excuse me, are you alright? I noticed youve been sitting here alone a long while. Its cold out. May I help you with anything? she asked.
The old man sighed.
Nothing, my dear! Im fine, Ill sit a bit longer and then Ill be off.
Off where?
To the station. Ill go home.
You know, that isnt necessary. I dont want to see you out there again tomorrow morning. Please, get up! Come inside, warm yourself, and then you can go wherever you need to go.
But
No buts! Lets go!
Irene knew that if her friend Eleanor were here she would have been making a scene, but Eleanor was not, and Irene could not simply leave the old man.
He rose from the bench and reached for the tiny fir.
May I take it? he asked.
Please, take it. Why not?
Inside his modest flat, the old man placed the tree quietly in the hallway, stripped off his coat. Each step seemed a struggle; he was clearly chilled.
He settled at the kitchen table, Irene poured tea, and the man warmed his hands over the mug, holding the cup for a long time. He took a few sips and lifted his eyes.
My dear, do not think ill of me! I am not a drifter. My name is Michael Seymour. I have come to see my daughter. It is a hard story to tell clothing for the homeless, he began.
My mother and I have long been apart; I am at fault, I found another woman. I fell in love as a young man, saw nothing else At first I hid, then my wife learned about us through our daughter Mary, and fights broke out at home. One day I slammed the door and went to the one I loved Our daughter was five then.
At first I visited, tried to help, but Lucy, my former wife, was proud and refused anything from me, even child support. She decided she would raise our daughter alone.
I tried to help through my parents, through her, but she would not accept anything! She even turned our daughter against me.
One afternoon at the nursery I tried to give Mary a toy, but she fled, refusing to speak to me, saying I was nothing to her.
I then decided to step back, never to appear again. Mary and I left the town together. I tried to send money to Lucy for our child, but the money always came back. I stopped trying; I understood Lucy would take nothing from me.
About ten years later Mary and I returned to this town. My parents were gone, and we moved into their flat. We later sold it and bought a cottage in a village just outside the city, where we lived.
We never had children together
Two years ago Mary died, and I have been alone ever since.
I do not know why I came to see my daughter today I did not expect forgiveness. I have not seen her for many years. She lives in the same flat we once occupied.
I bought a fir tree and came to her, but she would not let me cross the threshold
I understand everything now
Why did I come? What was I hoping to see? I am a stranger to her. What did I expect?
I have a house, a decent pension, I could help my daughter if I wantedshe is the only flesh and blood I have.
It would have been different if Lucy had allowed me to be part of my daughters life!
I left my daughters flat and walked for a long time, not knowing where I was headed. I ended up here, sat on a bench, and seemed frozen, not even wanting to move. Perhaps I would have stayed like that
But fate had other plans. Perhaps I am still needed here for something Thank you, my dear, I am warmed now, I will wait for the bus and go home.
Where will you go at night? The bus only runs in the morning, and its half an hour to New Years. Stay, Ill put a spare blanket on the sofa, and you can catch the bus in the morning, the old man offered.
Michael Seymour looked at Irene.
It is most awkward, my dear! Nowadays few would let a stranger in like this. Honestly, I do not wish to be alone any longer. If you permit, I will stay. I shall leave in the morning.
Agreed, Irene replied.
In the morning Michael gathered his things to leave.
Thank you, Irene, for everything. Youre an angel; you saved me from a foolish act, for I truly intended to stay on that bench.
You know, you are welcome to visit me! My house isnt far, I have plenty of room, a modest apiary with five hives behind the gardensummer is lovely.
Martha loved gardening apples, pears, you name it! In winter its still pleasant, the river runs nearby. Youll be welcome, my dear, come and rest.
Thank you, Michael Seymour! I will surely come, Irene said.
Good then! I shall be on my way, thank you once more
Irene watched the window until Michael disappeared around the corner.
Such is lifethose we love may keep their distance, while strangers sometimes become kin.
Irene had lost her parents early, and after hearing the old mans sad tale she resolved to visit him one day.
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