Examinations over, scholars unleashed, there is a loosening in the house. Teenagers are to be found randomly sprawling in a Zen like state in front of the television, making messy stuff in the kitchen, rapt before the laptop in the hall. Ditto their friends. My husband has a hunted look. "S'ok " I tell him," s'ok, just a change of pace, besides, two thirds of them will soon be going west to delight their father. And, hello, today's the Summer Solstice don't know you know. Our anniversary! And we are still standing. Still married! Still.".
I tell him about that interview with the eminent Professor on the Radio during the week. Eminent I explain, knows what he's talking about. Yeah, second marriages, hopeful nuptials of the middle aged, it's the new romance. So what are the chances Professor? Is sex on the table, intimacy on the cards, like should the blushing recidivists have troubled themselves at all? Umm, well yes, provided for this time round they knock the Boozing on the head, both parties desist from shovelling their own manure on the marriage by ie owning their own stuff ( counselling!! reflection!! God forbid!!), and work to maintain good physical health. That latter meaning you can keep doing it till you'r ninety two", I add.
He is wearing his mulish look now. "I think you'll find, baby, that boozing is FOR your issues, and, basically, you keep on doing it, like most folk, for as long as you possibly can. Which, in my case will be as long as there's breath in my body" he finishes magnificently. "Yeah. Well. But the thing is that that's all well and good when you'r lumbered with infants, obligations of support and maintenance, your own naivety. This is a sort of second age, my darling, a noble calling to partnership". He is looking distinctly apprehensive now and I ask him if he wouldn't like to go down the Pub to tease things out, celebrate our union etcetera.
Much much later, he asks me tenderly if I am sorry now. I tell him if I hadn't found him I'd be looking for him still..And the looking was tedious in the extreme", I add. "But... however..and leaving that aside....." I labour on, "No buts," he says "no buts, no booze, no pesky issues. Lucky, lucky, lucky, we and all the other middle aged saps with breath in our bodies, fires in our limbs, and time and space to sex and love. Still".
I tell him about that interview with the eminent Professor on the Radio during the week. Eminent I explain, knows what he's talking about. Yeah, second marriages, hopeful nuptials of the middle aged, it's the new romance. So what are the chances Professor? Is sex on the table, intimacy on the cards, like should the blushing recidivists have troubled themselves at all? Umm, well yes, provided for this time round they knock the Boozing on the head, both parties desist from shovelling their own manure on the marriage by ie owning their own stuff ( counselling!! reflection!! God forbid!!), and work to maintain good physical health. That latter meaning you can keep doing it till you'r ninety two", I add.
He is wearing his mulish look now. "I think you'll find, baby, that boozing is FOR your issues, and, basically, you keep on doing it, like most folk, for as long as you possibly can. Which, in my case will be as long as there's breath in my body" he finishes magnificently. "Yeah. Well. But the thing is that that's all well and good when you'r lumbered with infants, obligations of support and maintenance, your own naivety. This is a sort of second age, my darling, a noble calling to partnership". He is looking distinctly apprehensive now and I ask him if he wouldn't like to go down the Pub to tease things out, celebrate our union etcetera.
Much much later, he asks me tenderly if I am sorry now. I tell him if I hadn't found him I'd be looking for him still..And the looking was tedious in the extreme", I add. "But... however..and leaving that aside....." I labour on, "No buts," he says "no buts, no booze, no pesky issues. Lucky, lucky, lucky, we and all the other middle aged saps with breath in our bodies, fires in our limbs, and time and space to sex and love. Still".
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