Writing for Fun
October 2016
The Parasite - Anne Wilson
They had known each other for several years – and a relationship of sorts had developed out of habit more than a sustained a bond of mutual support and affection. Henry, not a man given much to introspection accepted this superficiality because he had experienced little in the way of intimacy with anyone in his adult life.
Each being loners by nature, and Henry being far from demonstrative, their contact was initially tinged by a slight awkwardness on both sides. Negotiating one another warily for some time the arrangement had seemed to work – Henry demanding nothing emotionally or materially from his friend. But the situation had gradually evolved over the course of time and he had come to regard his companion as displaying increasingly parasitic tendencies which held little appeal for him.
Fuelled by a certain amount of self-deception, Henry had always envisaged himself as a reasonably generous man – although the reality of the situation was somewhat different. Indulged from birth by an overly fond mother who had not taught him the rudiments of reciprocity, he was fond of spending money on himself but not overly so on others. Hospitality afforded to his friend, who insisted on only the best food irked him. Financial provision afforded on a couple of occasions in order to provide expensive medical treatment still infuriated him. Worst of all, the onset of a sudden neediness for displays of tactility was beginning to embarrass him until he felt constricted to the point of strangulation. He panicked.
He had little conscience or moral code, but could he terminate the relationship with no repercussions? Avenues were explored in his mind, but eventually led to cul-de-sacs. Mere words in isolation were of little use because he knew his friend would choose not to understand their nuance and would continue to impinge upon his life until he had reached breaking point.
Henry spent many a sleepless night pondering the dilemma and contact was kept to a bare minimum in an effort to obliterate his increasing frustration. Introductions to some of his acquaintances were effected in the forlorn hope that one of them might wish to strike up a relationship of their own and provide his friend with all the things he craved and which Henry felt he could not provide. It was to no avail and he was left with only one option. The Parasite would have to go.
At first this seemed like a drastic course of action but firmness and resolve were what was called for if The Parasite were to disappear from his life forever. He practised shedding a copious tear or two, but this was so contrary to his usual personality that he quickly abandoned it. Indeed, any show of sentiment was so unconvincing regarding a parting of the ways that he concluded a matter of fact reaction to any enquiries would be his best option – even, perhaps, that the relationship had been severed in his friend’s best interests.
The day dawned and when Henry awoke it seemed that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. His step was jaunty and his mood lighter, free from obligation. He put on the expensive, newly bought gloves he had initially thought a waste of money, pulling them down carefully with the result that they caressed his fingers in doing so. Those same fingers grasped the equipment he would be requiring to carry out his task and in order to prevent too much of a struggle. He breathed in deeply. One little push and it would all be over.
The lady had a pleasant, open face and sympathetic manner – characteristics which many would have found endearing and which reflected the voluntary work to which she devoted so much of her time.
She took the basket from him and peered into it. The inhabitant purred quietly.
‘I quite understand,’ she murmured reassuringly,’ – immune to the patently untruthful explanation with which she found herself confronted. ‘So many people find themselves in a position where they are no longer able to cope. You mustn’t blame yourself. Rest assured I’ll find him a good home.’
Henry smiled wanly and closed the door behind her, breathing a sigh of relief as he did so.
The Parasite was gone.