Growing Pains

On my last business trip to Singapore I bought a couple of CD’s at the HMV music store. This is a regular thing for me. On the visit before that I picked up a Chris Rea album and a Ray Charles compilation. My music collection is diverse. This time I bought albums by The Black Eyed Peas and The Pussy Cat Dolls. I don’t look like somebody who would typically buy this type of music but if the cashier had thought that I was buying these as presents for a younger person, my daughter, maybe, she would have been wrong.

So, back at home I unwrapped my new CD’s and played them, loud. My wife stood in the middle of the living room with her hands on her hips and with a stern expression on her face said, “What on earth is wrong with you? Are you ever going to grow up?” And that, is really our problem. Or should I say, my problem.

My wife, at forty seven is a couple of years younger than me. She is responsible, sensible, organized and good with money. She is brilliant at running the household but she has forgotten how to have fun. She doesn’t do fun, anymore. When I was in my mid twenties, I was an irresponsible, party animal and if the truth be told, not much has changed in the last twenty five years. I am beginning to think that this might be a recipe for trouble.

Last night I forgot to switch off my mobile and Amm called me at ten past two in the morning. I’m guessing she had just finished her shift at Suzie Wong’s and was looking for a gig. Of course I was safely tucked up in bed at home at the time and so pleaded a wrong number to the wife. Having been woken up, I lay there for a moment, thinking. The dangerous truth was that I would have preferred to have been out enjoying myself with Amm rather than be tucked up at home in bed.

I tried to put Amm out of my mind and force myself back to sleep safe in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be rolling very far tonight.

Union Hill

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