My absent mothers brother

I had such hopes for you: that photograph of you with your first motorcycle all gleaming & chrome-the bike that is 🙂

You weren’t in my life as a child only getting to know you in my teens, you were married then to the lovely Helen, the ice queen.

She wanted nothing to do with me, no smiles no care nothing as you in your ‘den’ introduced me to the greats in country music, she’d sit in the kitchen & just glare if i passed her by.

Years later you left her, having found love you said with ‘Dolly’ one half of a country duo you were ‘managing’

Heading south to avoid all the trouble you’d created, you landed at my door, could i help?

We took you in, me & my then wife, who felt put upon by this older uncle & his runaway girlfriend.

You stayed 6 months’ish while you found a place for the two of you, found a job & moved on.

& that was it eh?

No invites back to come for dinner, no meet ups, bbq’s, beer at the bar.

You’d taken what you needed & moved on, much like you’d done with Helen the ice queen.

I had no resents then, being pretty pleased you’d finally pushed off.

Though your presence had brought more pressure into a difficult marriage that i’d got myself into.

The cracks were there when you were there but avuncular advice? came there none.

A year later one afternoon i finally said enough to that marriage packed my rucksack & walked.

Passing your place on my way, stopped to tell you & that i had no contact number if/should he ever want to get in touch & i would be trying friends for a sofa to sleep.

I never asked for help & offer came there none.

Went off to sleep in the local park for a night or two until i found a place to stay.

We have never met, talked, ‘phoned, emailed, texted since that day.

My absent mothers brother who absented himself too.

Neil Benbow

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