My Life as a Man

by Frederic Lindsay

  When I opened my eyes on a milky darkness, I thought that something terrible had happened and then I saw Eileen sitting in her chair near the window with a blanket round her shoulders. Involuntarily, a breath of content sighed from me, but so softly she gave no sign of having heard. Almost at once, I decided against disturbing her. Lovers, even lovers for a lifetime, have need of times apart. She would be warm under the blanket, and when she was ready she would come back and lie beside me. It was enough to see her and know that I was complete. In the quiet night, I thought of how it was only by chance we had met and gone on to share so much together. It was a wonderful thing and a commonplace thing, an everyday miracle. I was a boat on a wide stream among so many others, on either side, ahead and behind, all of us drifting under the white moon and a mist rising from the water. After so long a day, I was ready now to sleep.

  Good night, my love.