By the time she shuffled into the town health centre, Agnes could barely keep her balanceher ankle had twisted terribly. She had tripped by accident, so badly that each step was a struggle. A bald man darted past her with a deftness that left his silhouette barely grazing hers, and he slipped right to the front of the waiting line. Exhausted, Agnes sank into a chair and muttered in irritation, Men never let anyone cut in front! A woman nearby overheard and replied, Hes been here earlier today, back again because they still havent found a suitable prosthetic. She laughed aloud, Good fellow Arthur, my neighbour. Life never quite worked out for himlost a leg to the knee, his wife walked out on him. Thought hed drown his sorrows, but hes still hopping about like a child. She waved her hand, and at that moment a slightly limping gentleman emerged from the consulting room with a smile, winked at Agnes and her companion, and said, Whats the craic, ladies? Lets carry on living! before thumping his foot and heading for the exit.
Agnes smiled at the word ladies. That had long ceased to describe her. Shed married young, her husband twelve years her senior. Yet, by the stars they shared the same signboth Dogs. Peter truly adored dogs; soon they owned a sturdy mastiff, and shortly after Agnes discovered she was with child. Friends gushed, What a perfect familyflat, car, cottage, dog, and a baby on the way. At six months pregnant, however, she suffered a miscarriage and lost their little boy. Peter tried to comfort her at first, then said, Were not as spry as we used to be, but we still have Gesh, thats what we call the dog. Agnes loved the animal, and Peter took it to shows, yet could any dog truly replace a child?
At a dog show Peter met Olivia, who also owned a mastiff. He soon confronted Agnes with the stark truthOlivia would bear his child; she was young and would give him a healthy son. Shes as fresh as a daisy, unlike you, old thing, he declared. Indeed Olivia was twenty years younger than Peter, and the heavens seemed to smile on them. Agnes felt increasingly outofstep with Peters age, as if her life had slipped away in a single breath. Retirement is looming, Peter would say, as though she, too, were approaching her twilight.
One week later, as the strain in her leg eased, Agnes returned to the doctors office and again encountered the same bald man.
Good morning, miss, please go ahead of me; I slipped in without waiting, he said, apologetic, flashing a smile. When Agnes left the doctors room, he lingered by the door.
Next! called the nurse from inside.
Youre called in, Agnes noted, surprised that he didnt slip into the consultation.
I was already here, just joking, he replied. Im Arthur, and you? Agnes? I guessed rightwhat other name could a brighteyed girl like you have? May I escort you a little? Im rather clumsy myself.
Agnes chuckled, If Im the pretty one, you certainly dont look like a proper cripple.
They walked out together, Arthur chatting away, then offered his arm for support as Agnes still limped.
Shall we pop into a tea shop? he suggested, pointing to a modest café. Nice and cheap, my treatI havent even had breakfast yet.
Spending time with Arthur proved easy and pleasant; he asked to meet again, and Agnes did not refuse.
One thing, Agnes, Arthur said one day, dont think Im in a hurry; I just fear someone might overtake me at a bend and leave me behind. Im a limping, bald fellow, and youre a beautiful young lady! He paused, then, Will you marry me? Dont say we barely know each other; I want to spend the rest of my days getting to know you. Ive a flat, a job, Im a sturdy man. He fell silent, eyes searching hers, then lowered his headperhaps she didnt wish to answer, perhaps it was simply expected that a frail man needed a healthy, wealthy partner.
Arthur! Agnes laughed, Youre the bestthough it felt odd to agree at once, Ill say yes!
Remarkably, soon after their wedding Agnes found herself with child again. She had never imagined motherhood; shed long since placed a cross on her own name. Yet joy arrived swiftly, as if time had turned back and she were young, radiant, and beloved once more.
Look, Arthur, our little Sam has the curliest hair! she exclaimed.
Whats there to marvel at? Arthur ran a hand over his smooth, bald scalp. Im now this bald, limp man, but once I was a goldenhaired eagle. Our son has Mums eyes and Dads curls, he chuckled.
I cant get enough of Sam, Agnes whispered, pressing her shoulder against his. It feels like a strangers childif wed never met, this boy would never have existed. The words broke her, and tears fell. Arthur, taken aback, said, Love, whats this? Dont weep, my dear; think of our Samcould he not have been? Im sure he was meant to be. We didnt cross paths by chance; without you Id have vanished. So dont cry, love.
Im crying from happiness, she whispered, wiping her eyes and nestling tighter into his arms. For the first time in my life Ive wept from joy. A smile lit her face, tears sparkling on her lashes like tiny diamonds. She felt rich beyond measure and content.
After all, the greatest wealth is children, and true happiness is love.
