— Steven, where are you off to?
— I’m just going out, Mom, to the club for some dancing, maybe play some video games, then we’ll head home.
— Don’t be silly! I won’t let you go!
Steven gently moved his mother aside from the doorway.
— I’m not a kid anymore, I’m 21. I spent two years in the army, training, serving, even had people in my sights, and you…
— She’s not right for you! Don’t go there!
His father stepped into the hallway:
— What’s all this noise about?
— Tell him, at least you say something! — his mother cried out. — He’s bringing shame to the whole family!
— Stop saying I’m a disgrace! Enough, Mom! I’ll leave this house, transfer up north, got it? — Steven slammed the door and stormed out.
— Why do you start this? Why do you keep bothering him?
— And you don’t care at all? Do you even know who he’s mixed up with? With Daisy Atkins, understand?
— What’s the problem?
— What’s the problem? No problem at all! Don’t you know? She’s divorced! You should take an interest in your son sometimes. And she’s older than him!
— Calm down, Nora, it’s not a big deal. She’s only a couple of years older.
— A couple of years? She’s twenty-four, it’s a disgrace!
— Our boy’s just twenty-one! I’ll go talk to her mother, maybe she can set her straight.
— Don’t you dare bring shame to our family. It’s not our business. They’re young, let them figure it out.
— — —
Near the club, young people were gathering.
Steven stood waiting for Daisy. He tried not to show it, but his heart was pounding like a metronome. He felt her presence before he saw her; the girl greeted him with a sweet smile.
Steven had been in love with her since their school days, but Daisy never took him seriously, always thought of him as a kid. When she got married, he was so heartbroken he nearly drowned himself, but his brother stopped him. He joined the army, thankful to come back alive, and his mother never knew he’d served in a combat zone. When he returned, Daisy was back too, with a little daughter, working at the library.
That’s when Steven started courting her. At first, she didn’t recognize the strong, mature man as her old admirer. When he confessed, she didn’t believe him at first, but she stopped pulling away.
Daisy always seemed to him the most beautiful, the smartest, and he didn’t care that she’d been married before.
The jukebox played:
“Little fish, little fish, help me out,
Golden one, do me a favor,
Tell that girl over there,
To fall in love with me!”
— Daisy, want to take a walk?
— Sure, but I need to be home by eleven, — the girl looked up, and Steven melted in her gaze.
They left the club separately. Girls envied Daisy, guys watched Steven with thoughtful looks. It wasn’t that the young man was ashamed of his companion—quite the opposite—but they weren’t engaged, so how could they leave together?
Tammy stood quietly by the corner of the club. Sam approached, pausing to admire her slender figure in a light dress.
She took his arm, pressed against him trustingly, and they walked off.
They strolled down the dark street from one end of town to the other. Daisy glanced at her watch and said it was time to go.
— Let me walk you home.
— No, my mom’s still awake, it’s fine.
Steven insisted and walked her to the gate, lightly brushing her wrist with his lips before saying goodbye.
— Bring little Lena tomorrow, we’ll go for a walk.
— Okay, we’re heading to the river tomorrow, come join us.
Daisy entered the yard, approached the house, and waved goodbye. Steven made a wish: if she looked out the window, it meant she loved him. She did. The happy young man turned and headed home.
A shadow flickered nearby; at first, he thought he imagined it.
— Mom, what are you doing here?
— Oh, I was just… running to Natalie’s for some salt.
— In the middle of the night? Natalie lives on the other side of town. You were following me, weren’t you?
— Yes, I was! You’re my son, and I won’t let you ruin your life!
— I’m asking you one last time, stay out of this. You don’t know anything.
— What don’t I know? — the woman shrieked. — That she’s bewitched you, that cursed girl? I won’t allow it! — His mother dropped to the ground, grabbing his leg. — Don’t go to her!
— Get up, enough. You don’t even know her.
— — —
— Daisy, we need to talk.
— Hello, is something wrong?
— Not yet, but if you don’t leave Steven alone, it will be. He’s still young, he doesn’t understand. You’re not right for him. Find someone your own age. We could even set you up with Elias—he’s got a car, a good match!
— He’s older than my mother, are you serious?
— Look at you, acting all young and innocent! I’ll curse you, you hear me? Go out with others, leave Steven alone!
— — —
— Oh, Mommy, I’m leaving…
— Daisy, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?
— Aunt Lisa said such awful things… I need to leave, Mom.
— I told you not to get involved with him!
— — —
— Lisa, come out here, we need to talk! — Margaret stood at the gate, hands on hips.
— Come on in.
— No, you come out. Say one more word about Daisy, and I’ll strangle you. And keep your little boy on a leash—if I see him near her again, I’ll kill him.
A confused Alexander stepped onto the porch and greeted her.
— And you, you clueless oaf, control your snake of a wife and watch your kid, — Margaret snapped angrily.
— — —
The argument couldn’t be avoided. Alexander sat sullenly, Lisa shouted, and Steven packed his bags.
— Mom, didn’t I ask you to stay out of it? I’ve loved her since we were kids, and now she won’t even look at me. You think I’ll stay under your thumb forever? No way! I can’t live without her, and you’ve ruined everything, understand? I’m leaving, goodbye.
— Where are you going, Steven, my dear? I only wanted what’s best, forgive me, you old fool. I’ll go apologize, just stay.
And she fainted.
They took his mother to the hospital, and Steven had to stay.
Daisy left, unable to forgive. They say she went back to her ex-husband.
Steven got a job as a driver but started drinking. His mother kept praising other girls, but he stopped leaving the house.
— Well, aren’t you happy now, Mom? I’ll stay with you for life.
Day by day, the young man found comfort only in vodka and work, forgetting friends, forgetting fishing, and starting to spiral.
— Alex, he’s drinking himself to death, what do we do? — Lisa began.
— You’ve already done all you could. I don’t know how to fix this.
— But I only wanted what’s best…
— — —
— What brings you here, of all people?
— I came to ask for help. Steven’s drinking.
— And what am I supposed to do? Sit and drink with him? I’m not an alcoholic.
— Why would you say that?
— And you? Why did you shame Daisy? I could’ve killed you! But now I look at you and feel sorry. You’ve ruined Steven, your older son ran off, and your husband doesn’t even need you.
— Lucy, I came to you as a person.
— And what can I do? Daisy’s gone, be happy.
— Call her back, let them live, get married, do whatever they want.
— What? Get out! My daughter’s not your toy! Leave!
— — —
— Hello, Steven. Why don’t you say hi?
— Hi, — the young man muttered, blushing.
— I was wondering, could you bring a load of sand? Daisy promised to bring little Lena, and I want to make a sandbox.
— Of course! — Steven’s face lit up.
— He’ll ruin himself. It’s morning, and he already smells of alcohol…
He kept his promise, delivered the sand, and built the sandbox himself, but it’s true what they say—he’s drinking.
The boy needed saving. Time and again, Margaret gave him new tasks—fix the shed, help in the yard—and he was eager to do it. Soon, they weren’t enemies anymore, and the mothers started getting along.
— So, is he drinking?
— Not really, he’s tired but happy. Thank you, Lucy!
— My work’s almost done here, might as well start a home renovation. Daisy’s coming back soon, by the way.
Lisa flinched:
— Will she forgive me? I said such awful things. Is it true she went back to her husband?
— No way. She’s working at the library, living with my aunt. Come by, or the neighbors will start gossiping.
— — —
— Mom? What are you doing here? — Steven’s face twisted with anger.
— Lisa, you forgot your book, — Gail ran out, seeing Alex pull up and realizing the situation needed saving.
— I came for a book, for your dad to read. He’s curious. I got one.
Daisy arrived and found Steven fixing the fence that Lisa and Margaret had taken apart the day before.
— Mom, there’s a man, — little Lena babbled, pointing at Steven at the end of the yard.
— Come, sweetie, I’ll tell you something.
— — —
The wedding was a grand one—everyone celebrated: nosy neighbors, little kids, and old folks. When Daisy first got married, there was nothing to remember—just a quick signing. Before the wedding, the kids made peace with their parents, asked for forgiveness, Lisa and Lucy became inseparable friends, and the father softened.
A couple of months later, the young couple moved to the city. Daisy made Steven enroll in university part-time. A year later, another daughter was born. Parents and nosy neighbors are long gone, but Daisy and Steven still love recalling their love story, waiting for great-grandchildren.
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