As the bus sped past the crowd cheered, an ambulance had come straight after and the man was placed on a stretcher and taken away. The little girl went with them and I watched as she waved to me and disappeared round the bend. I felt proud of myself and but my smile soon faded. The two men were receiving all the credit; did no one remember the little girl? I walked away unnoticed, or so I thought, “Well done,” said an elderly woman. I turned round and smiled but she wasn’t talking to me, she was focused on the men. I snatched up my shopping bags and ran the rest of the way home.
*
He didn’t expect an adventure like that on his way home from work; a man had been in a hit and run accident an he had assisted in pulling him of the road just before it might of happened again. He was startled by the applause he’d received but didn’t fail to notice the woman who had saved the little girl. He’d been about to congratulate her when she had run off.
That night it had been on the news, but the ending had not been quite the same as he had remembered. The reporter said that the man lying in hospital was James Berry and he was now paralysed because of the two men that had ill treated him whilst moving him out of the road. He had both his legs broken and adding to that now had serious spinal damage.
Bob couldn’t believe it! He was being blamed for moving a man out of the way from an oncoming bus. There was no way on earth he could’ve done any different. If he had tried to warn the bus driver, the bus still wouldn’t of stopped in time and if it was to move out of the way if would have to swerve onto the side of the road causing a lot more people to be paralysed and in hospital. He wondered what the woman who has saved the little girl thought of him? He knew he had become slightly unkind and untoward people in the last year but he would never purposely hurt someone. What was he going to do? He had no one to turn to; he had no real friends and had lost all contact with family. He went to bed early that night and had a restless sleep.
He woke up with a fright; it was still dark outside the moonlight shone in through the curtains highlighting the worry on his face. He fell back against his pillow and didn’t wake until morning. When he was woken by the loud traffic outside the dream he had had last night was forgotten but the guilt wasn’t.
*
I didn’t fail to see the news last night. Those poor men they must feel absolutely awful. I needed to get some fresh air and clear my head. I took a walk through the park; the squirrels ran about the wet grass gathering nuts and berries. Their tails like bright sparks glittering through the tall trees. I sat down next to a smartly dressed man who had his head in his hands. He looked vaguely familiar, I didn’t know why but I began to chat with him, I guess after yesterday I needed someone to talk to apart from Twix. As he looked up I suddenly realised; he was one of the men from the accident. We spoke to each other for an hour, I felt as though we had known each another forever. He was so easy to talk to. A little shy at first but so was I. I hadn’t had a proper conversation with someone in weeks. We arranged to meet up again that night, I nearly skipped all the way home.
When I was deciding what to wear I had a brief second of dread, what if it all went wrong? What if I didn’t like him? Why am I being so paranoid? Finally after seven different outfits and ten minutes before I had to be there, I was ready.
*
Bob’s day was appalling he received snide comments from every one he passed it was a great relief when the woman on the park bench spoke to him in a good-hearted manner, he took him a while to realise who she was; the woman that saved the little girl.
He was now on his way out the door and ignoring the glares from the public he walked to the restaurant. She was pacing up and down the street fiddling with her hair. He looked at his watch; he was only five minutes late. They exchanged greetings and made their way to their table.
The night ended with a farewell kiss. Over the next few weeks they met up every day. One night, out of the blue he proposed. She agreed almost instantaneously. They were to be married after Christmas. With only two months to go they were very busy. Bob thought he was the luckiest man in the world although the wedding would be very small with a few old school friends he was glad he was finally with someone who loved and appreciated him.
*
The wedding was wonderful, even my mother unexpectedly came. It wasn’t a church wedding but it was the best moment of my life! Me and my mother spent an evening together to catch up she explained why she left when I was fourteen; she had to go and live her life to the fullest before she settled down with a husband and children. I didn’t completely understand and I doubt I ever will. My father used to beat me when I was a little girl and I blamed my mother for it, for abandoning me and leaving me to cope on my own.
At least I had something to look forward to and take my mind of things. Bob will be moving in with me in a couple of days and I can’t wait. I’m cleaning all day today so that the house will be ready. He came round earlier with most of his stuff. The furniture he will sell, we don’t need two of everything. My life would soon be perfect and I know that with Bob I will be happy forever.
*
Moving in with Susan was a big step but he was sure it would all work out. He’d just finished selling the rest of his possessions and was ready. His flat felt unwelcome to him now and he evident he was out of place standing in there.
It was gone ten o’clock at night before he put the key through the letterbox and went to start his new life. There was an eerie silence as he walked up the hill. He remembered the accident and how far he had come since then. The walk seemed to take a lot longer then usual until he stopped and finally apprehended that he was going the wrong way. He felt so foolish, the amount of times he had done this journey yet he must have taken a wrong turning. Five minutes later he was back on track. The wind rustled his dark brown hair and chill crawled up his spine. He shivered and wished he had his coat.
Out of the darkness a man approached him. He stared at Bob and Bob was hoping it wasn’t another person who still held a grudge against him. The man walked over to him and with one swift movement grabbed him and through him to the floor. Bob was winded and couldn’t move. He felt a hand travel to his pockets and search around. Bob remembered the diamond necklace he had bought for Susan and tried to stand up. He had to escape. Bob pushed the man to one side and tried to run but his head still felt dizzy from when he had fallen to the floor. The man came after him this time brandishing a knife. Bob experience for the first time a sharp pain in his side. He looked down blood was oozing from the puncture in his skin. The man was gone, the diamond necklace with him. Was his life going to disappear in front of his very eyes as well?
*
What was taking Bob so long? It was now half past eleven and I was starting to become worried. I decided it was best to go to bed, he probably thought it was too late and he will turn up in the morning.
There was a loud knock at the door. Who was it at eight in the morning? Of course! Bob finally got here and I was right about last night, it was too late. I checked my reflection in the mirror and hurried to the door. The knocking seemed to become more urgent. I opened the door to find my mother breathless. I ushered her in and gave her a cup of coffee. “I’m so sorry, I came here as quick as I could” What was she talking about. “Mum I don’t understand.” She stared at me with confusion. “You haven’t heard have you?” she muttered. “Heard what?” by this time I was becoming annoyed. “Susan… B… Bob, he’s…” she stuttered and took a gulp of her coffee “He’s what? Is he alright?” I looked at her in puzzlement.
“He’s dead.”
My head was spinning this couldn’t be true! She told me the facts but I wanted to be left alone. I screamed at her until she finally left. Why? Why did it have to happen to me? As soon as I thought nothing could get better it just got worse. I through my self onto my bed and cried myself to sleep.
I woke up hoping it was just a horrifying nightmare but it wasn’t. It had really happened. No words could describe how I felt no matter how I tried: empty, crushed, enraged these were just a few words but my life will never be the same again.
A year later I actually was able to finish one of my poems I had started, it took my mind of Bob but I knew if his killer was still out there I would never be at peace.
Loneliness is always looking for a friend,
It found me once and it has been around since then.
Loneliness is never waiting by the door
It sweeps right through and will never be ignored.
Why? Why was I chosen why am I left without?
The love of my life the love that I need,
The love that they say is in life for free.
The love of dreams the love that I want
Loneliness knows me by name.
Loneliness knows everything I keep inside
My endless thoughts in the silence of the night.
Loneliness is the love that made me see
Ain’t nobody else who can make a change but me.
Why? Why was I chosen? Why was I left without?
The love of my life the love that I need,
The love that they say is in life for free.
The love of dreams the love that I want
Loneliness knows me by name.
Less is more and that would be the vacant space
The cried out tears and a never ending maze.
I have found what only loneliness provides
A strength within knowing I can find
The love of my life the love that I need,
The love that they say is in life for free.
The love of dreams the love that I want
Loneliness knows me by name.
