The Relative
A young couple found themselves in an unexpected predicament one Sunday afternoon. There was a knock at the door, and when the husband peered out, he saw a dishevelled, unshaven young man, reeking of filth. He carried no bag, no rucksacknothing at all.
The husband opened his mouth to ask what he wanted, but the stranger cut him off. «Is Alice here?» he called, his voice cracking. «Alice, please, come out!»
His wife stepped forward, studied the man closely, but didnt recognise him. Desperation burned in his eyes. «Alice, its meyour cousin Edmund. Weve never met, but Ive nowhere else to turn. Dont let me die out here.»
Reluctantly, they let him in, though the stench made them recoil. Edmund sagged against the doorframe, barely standing. «A thousand miles on lorries and foot, sleeping in fields. Sold my phone, begged for scraps, nearly got arrested.» His voice broke again. «They all threw me outmy wife, my mother. No one left but you. I came to you, Alice. Help me.»
The cramped hallway became unbearable. They couldnt just turn him away. They sent him to wash, gave him fresh trousers and a shirt, then bundled his filthy clothes into a bin bagthe husband took them straight to the rubbish bin.
When Edmund emerged, his gaze fixed hungrily on the kitchen. What else could they do? Alice sat him at the table. But her husband pulled her aside. «Were not seriously keeping him, are you mad? Hell slit our throats in the night and rob us blind. Kick him outthere are shelters, workhouses. Let him fend for himself.»
Alice refused. Not because he was family, but because he was a human being.
They returned to find Edmund gulping stew straight from the pot, dribbling down his chin, choking between frantic mouthfuls. Alice nearly retchedthere went their supper. She slapped a bowl in front of him, shoved a loaf of bread nearby. With effort, he composed himself, eating quietly as she watched.
When he finished, exhaustion weighed on him, but she wouldnt let him sleep. «Explain yourself,» she demanded.
He exhaled sharply. «They tossed me out like a stray dog. No money, no home. My own mother shut the door in my face. Id have died out therea stranger in my own town. I came to you. Wanted to start over.»
She pressed him. «Why? What did you do?»
He dropped his head. «Cant say. Too ashamed.»
They threw old coats on the floorthat would have to do. Their flat was too small for guests.
Alice slipped onto the balcony to call his mother, her aunt. «Edmunds here,» she said coldly. «Filthy, desperate. What happened?»
The woman wailed. «Hes no son of mine. Drank, gambled everythingsold his wifes belongings while she was away. Robbed me too. We threw him out. So now the wretch has crawled to you.»
Alice bristled. «And you expect me to deal with him? My husbands furious. What am I supposed to do?»
«Throw him out,» her aunt snapped. «Show no mercy.»
«I cant!» Alice shouted into the phone. «I wont!»
Her husband appeared, glowering. «I told youget rid of him. Give him a few quid and send him packing. If you wont, I will.»
She stood firm. «No. If something happens to him, Ill never forgive myself.»
«Fine,» he spat. «Do as you like. Im leaving.» And he stormed off to his mothers.
Everything collapsed in an instant. Who was this Edmund? A thief? A danger? How could she sleep under the same roof as him? Yet she couldnt turn him away.
The night was sleepless. At dawn, she shook him awake. «Your mother told me everything. You cant stay here. My husbands gone. Whats your plan?»
She suggested a shelterthere were charities that helped men like him. Shed seen posters at the bus stop.
Edmund sat hunched like a beaten dog, silent, pleading with his eyes.
Then he spoke. «Im a criminal, Alice. But Ive changedId harm no one now.»
A chill ran through her. What if he carried disease? A thousand milesmostly on foot. And his soul? Gambling away everything, stealing from family. Had he fallen too far to return?
She rang a shelter, but they had no space. Two days wait. Two days of torment with this stranger under her roof.
Her husband refused to return, called her a fool over the phone, demanded action.
Alice called her supervisor, explained she needed time offthe whole sordid tale.
They ate what little food remained. She dared not leave him alonewhat if he robbed her? Hed stripped his own mother bare.
Yet, slowly, he seemed to recover. He swore hed changed. «I wouldnt hurt a fly now. Thank you, Alice.»
She found him a place. He went quietly. They never spoke again.
Five years later, he reappearedwell-dressed, a young woman beside him. «I wont barge in like last time,» he said. «But we had to thank you.»
His new wife smiled. «You saved him. Without you, wed never have met.»
He had a good job now, lived in the suburbs. Cut ties with his mother. Alice was his only family.
He began calling on holidays. Once, he said, «You can always count on me. I owe you everything, Alice.»
It was uncomfortable. But at least shed learned one thing about her husband.
