The story does not contain sexual involvement of people under 18.
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I was inconsolable. My loving wife, who was married to me for 24 years, just died of advanced breast cancer. I stayed at home for 3 straight days, refusing to get out, shave, shower, or answer the phones.
On the 4th day, my best friend, Norman, opened the front door using the key I was leaving under the cactus pot outside. He ignored my pleas to get out, opened all the windows, and said, "Austin, I loved Clara too, but behaving like that won't bring her back. I knew her well, and she wouldn't approve of you neglecting yourself because of her demise. You can be upset, angry, sad, and anything else you want, but you must go on with your life. Come with me to the nearest bar. We'll get drunk and reminisce about your wonderful life with Clara."
Despite my wish to stay in bed, he dragged me to the bathroom, forced me to undress, and opened the hot water for me. He left me there and started cleaning the stinky house. I got out sometime later, and saw the kitchen was much cleaner than before. The empty pizza cartons were gone, the sink was empty, and a new towel was hanging. He sat on a stool, and began to talk, "Sorry for your loss, but for quite some time we knew it would happen. While it may sound cruel, I am actually happy she died. In the last 2 weeks she suffered and begged me to convince you to let her die in peace. Now she had her wish, and she is in a better world. The last time her mind was clear, she asked me to help you after her passing. I promised to do it, so that's what I plan to do. Shave and we'll go shopping. Except for a bottle of milk that expired 10 days ago, your fridge is empty."
I had no strength to fight him and did what he told me. For the next 48 hours, he stayed in my house day and night and took care of everything, allowing me to sleep a lot, eat better, and forcing me to stroll with him outside to get fresh air.
On the 3rd day, Norman blurted, "I have to go back to work or I lose my job, but I'll be back in the afternoon and check up on you." He did it for the next 7 days.
Slowly, my brain daze started improving, and I notified my boss that I was ready to resume working. The good news: I was an application specialist for a computer software company, and much of my work was done at home, using my laptop. My supervisor said his condolences and sent me ideas for future projects he wanted me to work on.
In the following 2 weeks, I developed a daily routine. In the morning, after freshening up, I ate cereal and drank my coffee. I worked for an hour and a half, and by 10 am, I went to the local park. I strolled for 15 minutes, and then sat on the same shady bench to gaze at the ducks playing in the blue pond, the large trees, and the dogs running around. An hour later, I returned home, ate lunch, worked another 2 hours, watched some sports game, and used the computer for another hour before having dinner and retiring to my bed to watch a movie. I went to sleep around 10 pm.
...
One morning, as I was sitting on my usual bench, I saw a young woman approaching. She carried a baby in a stroller and a small dog on a leash. She ignored me and sat on the bench nearby. I continued glancing at the small lake, being mesmerized by a heron that appeared from nowhere and began fishing. Later, I went home and followed my routine as before.
The next day, the same young lady arrived with her baby and dog and again sat on the adjacent bench. I smiled at her and nodded my head for hello. She had a tiny smile too. After 20 minutes, I strolled around the pond and returned home.
On the 3rd day, I was on my bench for half an hour before the lady showed up. She seemed distracted, and when she attempted to move the stroller diagonally from her bench, the leash got free. Her dog took the opportunity and chased a much bigger German Shepherd. The bigger dog confronted hers and pounced on it. The young lady began screaming, holding her baby for dear life. I rushed toward the dogs, separated them, and brought the frightened Pomeranian to its owner. She had tears in her eyes and thanked me profusely. I sat near her and attempted to calm her, but she was inconsolable.
I said, "Lady, your dog is fine. He got scared, but nothing happened to him."
She whimpered, "That's not it. It's just not my day. I feel miserable."
"I am not going to bother you, but if you look for somebody to talk to, as you noticed, I come here at the same time almost every day."
She had a bitter smile, "Thank you, sir, but I am not in the mood."
I mumbled, "That's OK. Have a good day."
The following day, she arrived on time and rather than sitting on HER bench, she smiled at me and asked if she could join me.
I moved sideways to give her more space. She tied the dog to the bench, took the baby in her arms, smiled at me and mumbled, "Sir, I apologize about yesterday."
"Ma'am, no apology needed. I noticed you were very upset and didn't take it personally."
"It was really a bad day for me. Earlier, I got bad news, and was too confused to pay attention to Bella. She is very social and has no clue that other dogs may not share her enthusiasm for playing together. You saved her from the much more powerful dog."
"You welcome."
"You are here every morning. Don't you work?"
"I work from home, and can set my schedule as I please. I like to come here at this hour, because the park is less crowded, and sitting on the bench calms me."
"I feel the same way. Both Bella and my baby, Ella, enjoy the park."
"Do you also come here in the evening, when your husband comes back from work?"
"Sir, I am not married and never was."
"...so how do you manage? I mean taking care of a baby, a pet, having to earn money for living..."
"It's not easy, but I manage. In the evenings, I work at Walmart. I have a nice elderly neighbor who keeps an eye on Ella and Bella until I return, around 10 pm."
"Do you have relatives in town who can help when needed?"
"Not really. When my parents heard I got pregnant out of wedlock and refused to have an abortion, they disowned me."
I was disgusted, "That is awful! How could parents send their daughter away at the most critical time she needed their help?!..."
"They are older than most parents and grew up in a very conservative society. They were willing to help IF I agreed to an abortion, but I believe that god wanted me to have beautiful Ella, otherwise he wouldn't let me get pregnant in the first place. Don't you agree?"
"Well, I am not very religious and I try to address issues without involving a higher power..."
She grinned, "My name is Clara. I DO believe in god, and hope he'll forgive you for being a nonbeliever."
"My name is Austin. Pleased to learn a bit about you. It's a gorgeous day, would you join me strolling around the pond? I can help with the stroller or Bella."
Clara chuckled, "Bella is a man-snob. She loves other dogs, and has no issues with my 2 girlfriends, but she avoids men like the plague."
"In that case, tomorrow I'll bring with me 2 pieces of cheese and try to bribe her to like me."
Clara remained sitting, and I walked around, now and then sneaking glimpses at Clara and noticing she was doing the same.
...
The next morning, I brought 2 small pieces of gouda cheese in a ziplock bag. When they sat by me, I opened the bag and held the cheese in my palm. Bella smelled it immediately. She stood before me and eyed my hand. I ordered, "Sit!". She obeyed. I gave her a piece. It was swallowed whole. She continued sitting, awaiting me. I gave Bella the second piece and showed her I had no more. To our amazement, Bella moved between Clara and me, and allowed me to pet her long beautiful hair.
Clara giggled, "I've never seen my bitch befriend a man so fast."
I joked, "Bella noticed I am special." Clara stared at me with smiling eyes.
We sat for 20 minutes, and then we strolled together in the park. I reminded Clara that the other day she mentioned she had a bad day. Were her problems solved?
With a sad face, she mumbled, "Not really. My elderly neighbor was admitted to the hospital because of pneumonia. I know nobody who can keep an eye on my baby when I go to work. My boss was nice about it and gave me a week off, but I just found out that my neighbor's situation got worse. I am afraid that if I do not have a solution, I'll be fired."
Later, at home, I thought about Clara's bad luck. It seemed she was neglected by everybody: Boyfriend, parents, even... god. Overall, I found her to be a pleasant person and felt sorry for her. Could I help her?
Then it occurred to me my 3 bedroom house was too big for me. Why not invite her to stay temporarily in one of the guestrooms, so when she goes to work, I'll be at home and be able to keep an eye on Ella and Bella? The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. Clara and I would have to discuss the logistics, but I was becoming lonely, and having somebody else around sounded like a reasonable short-term solution.
The following morning, Clara arrived 10 minutes later with her eyes red. I inquired about the reason, and she blurted, "I called my supervisor and asked him for another week off, but he said he couldn't do it. I am clueless about what to do..."
"Clara, I thought of something. Since my wife died, I have lived alone in the house. If you want, you can move for now to one of my free rooms. You'll have your separate bathroom and enough closets for your and Ella's stuff. My fenced yard is large, and Bella can roam around when she wants outside."
I saw tears in her eyes, "Austin, your offer is extremely generous, but we hardly know each other. How can you be sure I am not a manipulator? Or I verify that you don't have skeletons in your closet?"
"Tell you what; I'll give you my address. Come with Ella and Bella to my house at 7 pm. I'll order Chinese, and we'll have dinner together. You can explore my house, and see everything I have there. We'll allow Bella outside and watch if she likes it. I think you'll have ample time to make up your mind whether you wish to give my place a chance."
"Even if I like your house, it's not so simple. You see, I nurse my baby a few times a day, and the rest of my milk I pump into bottles. Until now, I've left the bottles in the fridge, and my neighbor used them to feed Ella until I was back. And then there is the issue of changing the baby..."
"Clara, I never said I am perfect, but everything you mentioned, I can learn. I never had children, but if other adults can do it, why do you think I will not? More importantly, do you have a better idea?"
"Unfortunately, not. If my boss fires me, I won't be able to pay my rent, and I'll lose my apartment too."
"Please, let me help you. Give it a try..."
"...OK, I'll be at your place at 7. And... thank you."
...