Five human beings, each enclosed in their own capsule of circumstances:
1
One man, let’s call him Mr. A., living in a triangle relationship, his woman of many years – let’s call her Mrs. B. – a best friend and companion, without whom he can not be. But this woman lost all sexual interest in him years ago and living together didn’t work out either. Desperate, hurt and lonely, he got involved with Mrs. C., only to find out, he can’t leave Mrs. A. but also wants to be with Mrs. C. Since he’s a decent guy, both women know the score. Nevertheless, stressful life, trying to accommodate both women, balancing his own emotions towards each one of the two and still living his own life, somehow. Can’t be easy.
2
Mrs. B. loving Mr. A. but too set in her ways to live with him. Due to early hormonal change, sex just doesn’t interest her anymore. Learning that Mr. A. is about to start out with another woman, she realised that she can hardly bear that fact. Jealousy, hurt, fear, the struggle to argue her man out of the other woman, throwing in all she’s got. Not too successful, at least she manages to talk him into staying with her, Mrs. C. being reduced to allay the bodily needs of Mr. A., only. Still, she cried bitter tears, sensing the presence of another woman in what used to be her side of the bed.
3
Mrs. C., first surprised by Mr. A’s interest in her, eventually falls in love with him. Only to learn then – too late – that he is still with Mrs. B. He offers her a quick option out, to save her wasting her time. Shaken by this, she almost gives up on him and men in general. But since she has already lost her heart, she can’t help to accept what’s left over for her: the life of a concubine. At least, this saves her having to go out on the love-market yet again, trying to find a partner or otherwise stay alone. Since she had to cope with failed relationships before, she asks herself: would it turn out any different with Mr. A., even if he did choose her exclusively? Or would it be different with any other man, for that matter? Could she stomach another dissappointment? And why doesn’t Mr. A. love her enough to let go of Mrs. B.? And if he did, would he hold it against her? Thus ruining everything from the start? All questions, one would not like having to answer oneself.
4
Mr. D., living with Mrs. E., his fiancée for quite a few years, has fallen in love with Mrs. C. and realises he has to muster the courage to reveal himself to Mrs. C. and will have to leave Mrs. E. As often is the case, he first talks to Mrs. C., letting Mrs. E in the dark about his state of mind. Mrs. C. let him know that she is sort of involved with Mr. A. and is not ready for a relationship for her very own reasons. She says, it’s mainly fear of all the emotional havoc caused by getting too involved with a man. Can’t be pleasant to fret for weeks over how to approach the woman you’ve fallen for and getting this kind of answer. And he still has to confront Mrs. E, at least explaining his AWOL, lasting for a couple of days.
5
Mrs. E., raging at home, must sense since quite a while that something is wrong in her relationship. Getting more aggressive everyday, when Mr. D. finally doesn’t come home at all, she rings everone she knows, asking his whereabout’s, only stopping short at getting the police to look for him. I can fully empathise, how angry she must feel about the injustice of it all. Her man doesn’t love her anymore, while lying next to her, he dreams of another woman. Would it console her, if she were told that he didn’t get what he wanted? I doubt it.
______
Life is strange, isn’t it? Today, my heart goes out to Mrs. E. To her, the blow is fresh and must be very hurtful. But none of the above described – and it is all actually happening as you read this – is to be envied. Each exists in their very own capsule of misery. Their lives enriched and marred with the love they feel.
Capsule, Purple Tree
floatsome 