…..But now there’s wrinkles around my baby’s eyes
And she cries herself to sleep at night
When I come home the house is dark
She sighs “Baby did you make it all right?”
She sits on the porch of her daddy’s house
But all her pretty dreams are torn
She stares off alone into the night
With the eyes of one who hates for just being born
For all the shut-down strangers and hot-rod angels
Rumbling through this promised land
Tonight my baby and me we’re gonna ride to the sea
And wash these sins off our hands……..
Racing in the Street from the album Darkness on the Edge of Town.
Bruce Springsteen. 1978
I remember the woman I love was frightened and scared. Our children who lived with her picked up on this and after seeing what their Mums new partner was capable of they were scared too. They lived their lives in one bedroom of their rented house and pretended not to be in. Just in case he came again. He seemed to think that because she rented, he had every right to come and go as he pleased.
I remember thinking “This won’t do.” I couldn’t be there all the time. So I decided that the only way to deal with this was to buy a house where they could live and where I could live to. I did that and they moved in. He turned up one day when I was in. I answered the door and told him to go and he left, never to be seen by me again.
I remember that she and I talked about this slightly odd situation. Our neighbours think we’re man and wife and it makes it easier that way.
I remember that I told her she was safe now and that as long as she wanted, she and our children could stay. I would never make a move on her no matter how tempted I might be. And boy, have I been tempted.
I remember that we’ve been here for over a decade now. The woman and children that I love so very much are here and safe. I get to see them all a lot. To see them and to talk to them and sometimes to hug them all. I wish them ‘Good night’ and say ‘Good morning’ and ‘Have a great day’. We celebrate Christmas and birthdays together. I watched my children grow up. Am I happy? I’m happier than I would have been. It isn’t perfect but it’s what I have and that will have to do. After all, who knows what tomorrow might bring? We both get on together. I think she sometimes thinks in her head that I’m an idiot but I know in her heart she cares a lot and perhaps what’s in her heart is love.
More Dick soon.
iplonker 
I’m kinda lost for words here. You’re a very special man Mr D. Others wouldn’t have done half the things that you did.
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You don’t have to say anything. I did what I did because I wanted to. Thank you for saying that. I doubt you’d think the same way if we ever meet.
Apparently, my son has put me Facetube! And is currently putting up my email address; dickdastardly1614@gmail.com.
Should be up and running in a mo.
In the meantime have a lovely evening.
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Lily is right. For whatever flaws you may have, what you did was extraordinary. In a world where most would have walked away, you protected the woman you used to have a romantic relationship with not only for the sake of your children but for her as well. I’m a pretty amazing guy and I’m not sure I could have done that. In fact, I’m sure I could not have.
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Thank you but I don’t think I did anything special. I did what needed to done.
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No, you did far more. You didn’t just make sure they were safe, you bought a house and brought them in to be sure. Don’t sell yourself so short on this, what you did is quite remarkable.
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You and I will differ about this I think. Four people that I love right down to a molecular level were in trouble and afraid so I did what I had to do to protect them. I see nothing remarkable in that and lets not forget there was an upside for me here too. I suppose I could have got a gun and shot the bastard but thats very difficult to do in the UK
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That is heartbreaking and very moving little bruv. X
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Well I think that you and Gupta know more about this story than anyone else and I’ve always appreciated what you both did for me and still do.
In answer to your other comment, don’t worry, you’ll be seeing me again soon. Xxx
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You once told me I was brave to write some of the things I post on my blog, and to share them with the world, and that you wish you could do the same. Well my friend, you’re one of the most courageous people I know, both for writing this, and also for handling it as well as you do. I’m amazed, and definitely encouraged by your strength. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s gotta be said. I’ll stop now 😛
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Thank you. I think that it was my interweb friends like you who write regularly about situations that have beset them that encouraged me to finally sit down and write this.
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Amazing. Brave. Incredible.
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