1990
“Why do you always feel the need to judge Mike, daddy?” Anna asks her father. “Please help me understand your hatred towards his family. How can you command me to do something without providing me with answers?”
“Enough Anna, I said enough,” John responds. “I don’t have to explain my reasons to you. I’m your father, and I demand you to listen to me.”
“You demand me to listen? Wow dad, it sounds like I’m one of the cops who work under you. But I’m your daughter, so why won’t you see what you’re doing to me.” After saying this, Anna walks out of her conversation with her father.
“Anna come back,” John says. “Emma!”
“No! Mom,” Anna says while walking away. “Clearly your husband made up his mind, I’m going to my room.”
“Anna, come back …” John responds.
“John, I hope you see that you’re driving your daughter away with your hatred towards the Jakes,” Emma says after joining her husband. “What happened between your families back then has nothing to do with these kids. You should know that I’m tired, so please just stop it and let the past go.”
“I spent years listening to my father blaming me for the death of his wife,” John says in response. “He blamed me for how she had left me with him and how she had loved another man instead of him. My mother was blinded by that man, and her love was bought, that’s what my father would say. And do you know what? I believe my father because Mr Jakes, who once cared, didn’t give a caring shit about me when my mother passed on. His family, the Jakes, was nowhere to be seen, so how can you tell me to entertain the idea of Mike dating my daughter when I’m reminded of the pain I was left with? How?”
Later in the day, Anna meets up with Mike to discuss the latest development in their relationship.
“Mike, my father would be so disappointed in me,” Anna says. “What do you think he would do if he were to know about my pregnancy? I’m so scared and anxious. What do we know about raising a child? Oh Mike, it’s all so overwhelming.”
“Shhhhh, Anna,” Mike responds. “We’ll sort it out and everything will be alright.”
“No Mike, it won’t. How can you be so calm? I have this baby growing in me and I don’t know how we, or I, will manage to have a kid when I, myself, am one.”
“Anna, I know, and I’m sorry. I should’ve been more careful. I’m so sorry, my precious, precious Anna. But I promise I’ll take care of you and the baby. You have to trust me, please.”
Before answering, Anna sobs. “Don’t apologise,” she says after a while. “It’s not your fault alone. This is not your doing alone. I’m sorry Mike, and please forgive me for my outburst.”
“No, I need to apologise. I love you, Anna.”
“And I love you Mike.”
1950
“Mr Jakes,” Evelyn says.
“Oh, Evelyn, call me Ted,” Ted responds. “When will you ever stop calling me that?”
“Ok,” Evelyn says, laughing. “Ted, where on earth are you taking me? What if people see us together?”
“Then they will see us,” Ted responds.
“What? Ted, no. Mrs Jakes will hear about this and she’ll destroy you.”
“No, she won’t if we do get noticed. I took you out for lunch because I was hungry, and since you needed to get cleaning stuff, I dragged you along.”
“Ted!” Evelyn says in a naughty voice. “And it just so happens that where you’re taking me is an expensive restaurant, right?”
“Well, yes my love, anything for you! Now eat up, I have another surprise for you.”
“More surprises? No. Ted please, we have to get home. I must prepare supper and Charles is due to come home.”
“Aaaaah, well, you don’t need to worry about that because he’s practising rugby after school, and my dear wife is out shopping with friends. So, we have a few more hours to ourselves.”
“Oh, I wish you would tell me where you’re taking me.”
“No, sorry, I can’t do that.”
“How long still?”
“We’re almost there.”
After a while, Ted and Evelyn arrive at their destination. “Ted, where are we?” Evelyn asks as soon as they get out of the car.
“Well, this is my new property,” Ted responds, leading Evelyn in. “Come in!”
“Wow, it’s beautiful,” Evelyn says, responding to the new house. “You bought a house?”
“Yes, and it will be ours! Evelyn, I have never loved a woman like a love you. You’re so patient, loving, beautiful, and kind, and I want to make you mine. I don’t care about anything else, just you and the boys.”
“Ted, no! No, we talked about this, and I don’t have much time left. Plus, you have a family, so let’s not spoil their happiness with our selfishness.”
“Please, Evelyn. How can I pretend to be happy when I’m miserable? It’s you I want, so please consider this. I love you so much, Evelyn. Please!”
In the end, Evelyn eventually kisses Ted and says yes to his proposal.
Tell us: Do you think it’s fair for Evelyn and Ted to have a secret relationship even though they are both married?