Those Mid-Life Blues

by Caroline Campbell

  ‘Mark, I’m not going to work or university tonight.’

  ‘You’re not?’

  ‘No, so we can hang out if you like.’

  ‘That’ll be great Kelly, just great.’

  OK, thought Mark, so that gives you some time to get this right, which means forget Alicia Keys for the moment, drop some Alexander O’Neal. No, that’s not going to work, Alicia Keys it is. No discussion, and within minutes Alicia was doing her thing in his lounge.

  Kelly knew he could be a little wacky at times, a little on the immature side at times although he was improving but today he was fidgeting.

  ‘Mark, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?’

  ‘Wrong?’

  ‘Yeah, you know, tell me why you’re acting kind of weird?’

  ‘Weird?’

  ‘Are you a parrot or what, look whatever you’ve got to say, just say it. I know you want to tell me something.’

  ‘You do?’

  ‘I do … so what is it, you’re leaving and going away, you’re in love with me, which one?’ Mark looked puzzled. How did she know? Had Tony told her? No, he couldn’t have; she didn’t know Tony.

  ‘I can see your little mind ticking over Mark. I could say, I guessed.’

  ‘You guessed?’

  ‘That you’re going away.’

  ‘Is that right?’

  ‘That’s right Mark.’

  ‘And you guessed that I was falling in love with you?’

  ‘Right again.’

  ‘And you’re OK with me going away?’

  ‘No, because you should have told me.’

  ‘And you’re OK with me falling in love with you?’

  ‘Yes, I’m OK with you falling in love with me.’

  ‘OK then, so don’t you think we should talk about this. I mean, shouldn’t you be asking me some questions?’

  ‘Mark, whatever you have to say, you’ll say when you’re ready.’

  ‘Do you love me?’

  ‘What do you think Mark?’

  ‘Do you Kelly?’

  ‘I love you Mark. I think I loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you at Lorenzo’s.’

  ‘Wow, what do I say to that?’ said Mark.

  ‘You can hold me in your arms and kiss me.’ Is this one of my dreams? He pondered as he kissed her forehead. Is it that easy or will I wake up and realise it was my imagination playing tricks. Is this the watered down version of the film Vanilla Sky. Is this for real? And he realised when she pressed her body next to his how real it was.

  They talked for hours, laughed until their stomachs hurt then later on that evening they ordered a Chinese takeaway. He’d eat his mother’s dinner tomorrow. Mark decided to turn down the contract that his agent Vicki Hendricks had lined up for him with some of the most prestigious leading government and commercial clients in the States. She would be mad as hell but the reality was he had an abundance of work in London and if he wanted to he could continue to write exclusive book and film reviews for the Guardian.

  He was already at the peak of his career. There was no need to go anywhere, at least not for a long while and not without Kelly. They sat on the couch with their arms wrapped around each other and talked. They talked about so many things; their childhoods, her degree, his work, her doubts and fears, his insecurities and yet the night was filled with gaiety, honesty and love.

  It was 2.30am in the morning when he took her home. She wanted to take things nice and slow and that was OK with him. He understood, after all they had all the time in the world.

  Chapter 15- The test of time

  ‘Come on, Tony, smile. Look at the baby and smile Tony.’

  Mary was trying her best to get a good shot from her new digital camera but holding a tiny baby in his arms and worrying if he was going to drop its fragile body was making him incredibly nervous; so the thought of him smiling right now was far from his mind. All he wanted to do was pass the baby back to his mother, not have his photograph taken, even if he was the proud godfather to Ella May Richards.

  Thankfully Mary came to the rescue once again. She could see by his panic-stricken face that he was not comfortable holding the baby at all.

  ‘Tony, you’ve got two children, you’ve done this before.’

  ‘Yes Mary,’ whispered Tony. ‘That was twenty or so years ago.’

  ‘Aren’t you a little darling? Yes you are,’ cooed Mary. ‘You are so gorgeous, yes you are Ella.’

  Mary took the baby from Tony and held her close. Tony watched her as she made faces at the baby. She looked so natural, like a true professional thought Tony. Within seconds other relatives and friends gathered around the baby to get a peek. Other guests were congratulating Kelly and Joan was busy running around with plates of hot food on a tray.

  ‘I know how you feel Tony,’ Mark patted him on the back. ‘I was a bag of nerves the first time I picked her up in my arms, my legs felt like jelly.’

  ‘Well done Mark.’ Tony hugged him tight. ‘Well done, she’s beautiful.’

  ‘Just like her mother,’ said Mark with a big grin on his face.

  ‘Yeah Mark, she’s just like her mother. I’m proud of you.’

  ‘I can’t believe it either. If you’d have told me eighteen months ago that I’d be engaged and have a baby I’d have laughed at you.’

  ‘If I told you that, I’d be laughing at myself. No, only kidding, what can I say, you got your act together and you found love, I always knew you would.’

  ‘Thanks for letting us use your mansion of a garden.’

  ‘No problem Mark. Anyway, Mary wouldn’t have it any other way.’

  ‘Have you seen Ella’s other godfather?’

  ‘Yep, he’s right behind you.’

  ‘Yes I’m right here Mark.’ Martin gave Mark a hug and smiled at Tony.

  ‘I’ll be back in two ticks guys. Joan has kindly made us some Caribbean punch, wait until you taste it.’

  ‘He’s changed so much – no medallion, no foundation and no more hang-ups,’ said Mark

  ‘We’ve all changed Mark.’

  ‘That’s true, we’ve changed, we’ve matured – well, I have.’

  They embraced each other and made a few jokes about the past. It wasn’t long before Martin returned with a large jug of Caribbean punch, three tumblers and three platefuls of curried mutton, white rice, coleslaw and fried dumplings.

  ‘Now guys, I present to you a taste of the Caribbean prepared by my lovely wife, Mrs Joan Truman.’

  They found a table furthest away from the house, ate their meals and reminisced about the past eighteen months.

  ‘Do you remember the time when I came so close to strangling you because you were taking the absolute Michael out of me and why was that Mark? Could it have been because I was losing my hair? Oh and I remember the time you were on the floor laughing because Larry let me down, do you remember that?’

  ‘That was funny, no maybe not, but I remember the time Mark wet himself because Veronica found out about his fling with her friend. What was it you said Mark? You couldn’t control yourself, you felt weak at the time. Oh and let’s not forget the time when I came by your apartment and you were paranoid about Beth, I mean crazy Beverley.’

  ‘Now that’s not very Christian of you Martin.’

  ‘That’s true; I shouldn’t refer to as crazy. Let’s rephrase that, shall I?

  ‘I mean Beverley with the mental health issue. You were paranoid and don’t tell me you weren’t?’

  ‘Hey, you guys can laugh now but that was pretty scary stuff going on.’

  ‘Anyway Martin, I remember the time you told me and Mark you were in love with Joan. We didn’t think you’d do it. I mean settle down, much less go to church but you did.’

  ‘That’s true. It’s changed my life guys; no more chasing after women, sexual romps in the park with whoever. Now I’m praying with my wife and singing in the choir.’

  ‘They allow you to sing with that voice?’

  ‘I�
�ll have you know my voice is incredible.’

  ‘What was that, did you say detestable?’

  ‘That’s very funny Mark.’

  ‘Laugh all you want but the truth of the matter is: I did it guys, I gave myself to the Lord. At first I was going to church for Joan but then I did it for me but I wouldn’t marry Joan until I knew in my heart it was supposed to be, because God said so and it’s not just about going to church. My lifestyle’s changed.’

  ‘So God came and spoke to you, right Martin?’

  ‘Tony, I’ve told you this before, I felt it in my spirit.’

  ‘Mark, you understand, don’t you?’

  ‘I understand that all things are possible and within our reach if we want it. I connected with Kelly, not just physically but spiritually. You connected with God spiritually, and you, Tony, you connected with your inner self and that’s what helped.’ ‘OK then, this is getting a bit too emotional Mark.’

  ‘And, what’s wrong with that Tony?’ Martin interjected. ‘It’s OK to be emotional.’

  ‘I know that guys, hey you’re talking to the guy that’s poured out his heart to you a thousand times. What I mean is, I’m proud to be sitting here in my garden with my two best friends, celebrating the christening of my goddaughter and if you could pour us a glass of that lovely Caribbean punch, Martin, I’d like to give a toast.’

  Martin filled the tumblers to the brim then nodded at Tony.

  ‘To my dear friend, Martin. You’re a special guy. You enrich my life with your effervescence. May you continue to have a happy and prosperous life with Joan forever and always! You taught me the value of friendship and during the most testing times of my life you were there for me. You listened, you understood and you made me feel that I didn’t have to be macho; that I could be myself.’ Martin smiled, looked at Mark then wiped a tear from his eye.

  ‘To Mark, my nutty friend, may you walk in your dreams and fulfil your destiny. You’ve been blessed with a beautiful fiancée and a beautiful daughter. I’m proud of you like you wouldn’t believe because today I’m looking at a man and not a man in the making. I love you both and Mark, if you ever go through the mid-life crisis or male menopause, we’ll be there for you, won’t we, Martin?’

  Mark laughed. ‘Oh, so you’ve got jokes, have you and here I was thinking, wow, what a touching speech.’

  ‘Seriously, I appreciate you guys.’

  ‘So Mark, Martin, do you fancy a game of golf next week?’

  ‘It shouldn’t be a problem, Tony, but I need to check with Joan.’

  ‘Oh, it’s like that is it?’

  ‘Tony, I’m a newlywed. I want a happy life so I’ll check with Joan, she may have plans.’

  ‘Yeah Tony, Kelly may have plans too; what with the baby and she’s been really tired lately but if there’s a problem I don’t see why we can’t use our powers of persuasion on our women, right, Martin?’

  Martin smiled. ‘That’s right Mark. Now, allow me to give you some pointers in effective communication. If you want to go to golf and your lady has other plans, you butter her up. Tell her you need to some time with the guys to bond. Improvise if you have to. Let her know that you’ll be much better prepared for whatever she wants you to do when you return home. It’s five hours out of the day, she’s got you for the rest of the day and believe me guys when you get home, she’s happy because you’re happy and you’re happy because she’s happy and everyone’s happy because they get what they want.’

  ‘It’s that simple, huh?’

  ‘Well, actually, not quite. I haven’t yet mastered it but I will.’

  ‘Hey fellows, I should write a book about us, maybe even a script … yep I can see it now. I’ll call it Those Mid Life Blues. Steve Martin could be you Tony. Adam Sandler could be you, Martin.’

  ‘And who would play your character, may I ask?’ Don’t tell me, LL Cool J.

  ‘Who else? He’s the man!’

  ‘You’re absolutely wacky, Mark, that’s why we love you.’

  ‘No, seriously guys, this could really be something. Basically, it’ll evolve around three friends who each go through a crisis in their lives just like we did. I can see it guys.’ Mark’s brain was doing overtime. ‘Yep, it’ll show how their women help to bring them to the point of love, hope and the fulfilment as they pursue their dreams and overcome their challenges.’ Tony slowly eased himself out of the chair and moved away. He gave Martin the eye and they both made a quick getaway.

  ‘Martin, look at the bigger picture,’ went on Mark. ‘Think about it. It’ll be a classic comedy that deals with the emotional side of men and their insecurities; their wants and needs from each other as men and how this impacts on the relationships they form with women or not; but it’ll also be a sensitive film.’ Mark was in his own little world.

  ‘Come on guys, don’t walk away. I’m being serious, for real!’