Story of the Day: A woman invites a man she met online to her house, but before he arrives, she finds his photo at a cemetery.
Margaret, a lonely professional woman, is looking forward to Colin, a man she met online, arriving. However, a friend’s call a few hours before he’s supposed to arrive takes her to a neighbouring graveyard. She is appalled to discover a picture of Colin on the tomb of another man there. Is Colin actually the person he says he is?
Margaret was cleaning the house when the sun came through the windows, bathing the immaculate furniture in a warm glow.
She had always maintained her house spotless, which was a reflection of her controlled and tidy lifestyle. There were no messes around; everything had its proper place. She saw cleaning as a necessary and consoling habit that helped her fill the gap in her life.
Margaret had always placed a high value on her career and building her own life. She was living alone at the age of nineteen and working two jobs as a cook to pay for her schooling.
She started saving money for her own restaurant at the age of twenty-five while pursuing a career as a restaurant manager. Margaret’s perseverance paid off, and by the time she was forty-five, she owned a prosperous restaurant, a stunning home, and a luxurious vehicle.
Still, she had failed to find personal pleasure in spite of all her accomplishments. She always believed that starting a family would happen organically once she had her life in order. But it was too late when she realised she needed and desired a family.
Margaret lacked expertise in both raising a family and communicating with men. Her success and position terrified the men at work.
Although she was revered, many avoided her. It was considerably harder than she had ever thought to find a companion at forty-five.
Margaret was cleaning when her phone rang and said there was a message. Her pulse skipped a beat as she hesitated and fumbled with her phone. She noticed it was a message from Colin, and a smile appeared on her face.
Colin and her had recently connected online, and they had become fast friends. Margaret and Colin had a great conversation on food, films, books, and worldviews.
Despite all of their similarities, there was a problem. They had not yet met, and Colin resided in a different city.
Margaret had lied about her age, so she had been reluctant to propose a meeting. Fearing that if Colin found out, he would reject her, she told him she was thirty.
Although she never imagined their connection would go this far, she was now prepared to meet him in person. “Colin, we’ve been talking for over a month now, and I really want to meet you,” she wrote in a message that she typed herself.
Margaret was nervous, waiting for his answer like a teenager. She became irritated and placed her phone back down after checking it many times.
At last, the response was, “Margaret, that’s a terrific idea. Though I don’t have anywhere to stay in the city, I truly want to meet. My preference is not to stay in hotels.
Margaret said without hesitation, “No problem, stay with me!”
She started writing that she didn’t mean for her offer to be taken as an intimate proposition after realising that it might be. Colin, though, answered right away: “Excellent, I’ll be here tomorrow night. I’m eager to meet you.”
She was going to meet Colin tomorrow; everything was planned. Margaret was feeling very strongly. She was both relieved and terrified to finally meet him.
She was afraid he would leave her if he discovered she was much older than he had claimed to be.
Her mind was racing as she paced the living room. She worried about his reaction as she envisioned their first meeting. But she had to go through; it was too late to back out now.
Margaret was busy getting ready for Colin’s arrival the following day. She did a thorough cleaning, making sure every nook and cranny was perfect.
She laid the table with her finest dishes and adorned the kitchen with fresh flowers. When Colin got home, she was cooking his favourite meals, ready to warm up and serve, and the smell of a lovely dinner filled the house.
Everything was prepared. Margaret’s anxiety and exhilaration increased as the evening drew near. Her phone rang as she was ready to take a seat and unwind for a bit. She responded right away after realising it was Alice, her coworker.
“Hi, Margaret. Alice stated in a tight voice, “I hope I’m not bothering you, but I have a very urgent request.”
“Alice, I’m listening. Was there an incident during the funeral? Perhaps I can be of assistance.” Recalling that Alice was scheduled to attend a funeral that day, Margaret inquired. For it, she had asked for a day off from work.
Alice said, looking embarrassed, “I feel so awkward asking this, but my car is stuck nearby.”
Naturally, I’ll assist. I promise to be there in ten minutes. Margaret answered right away.
Knowing that Alice was talking to her about more than just the car if she had called, Margaret wanted to help Alice. She was probably finding it difficult to deal with her husband Nathan’s passing. Thus, she hurriedly took her keys and went out the door.
Margaret thought about Alice and how difficult it must be to deal with such a loss as she drove. She was hoping that assisting Alice would provide her some solace.
She was anxious to meet Colin, but she also felt a great sense of duty to support her buddy in need.
When Margaret arrived at the scene, she saw Alice standing next to her car, appearing distraught and defenceless. Without any delay, she set to work. Using a tow rope, she swiftly hauled Alice’s car out of the ditch and hooked it to her own.
It was unexpectedly simple, almost too easy for Alice to have completed on her own. Margaret waved her hands aside and faced Alice.
Margaret attempted to lighten the situation by saying, “All set,” with a smile.
Alice said, “Thank you so much, Margaret,” her voice faltering. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Alice lost her cool as they stood by the side of the road. She could no longer contain the outpouring of emotions and broke down in tears. Margaret moved to the front and gave her a reassuring embrace.
“It’s simply so difficult,” Alice wept. “Everything feels unattainable now that Nathan is gone. I can’t manage today, even though I thought I could.”
Margaret’s buddy hurt so much in her heart. She was aware of Alice’s intense love for Nathan and how trying the last few months had been for her. “Alice, I really apologise. Feelings like this are OK. You don’t need to face it by yourself.
After wiping her eyes, Alice inhaled deeply. “Would you accompany me on our return to his grave? I just can’t make myself go by myself. I can’t bear to think of returning home to an empty house without him now that the guests have left.”
Margaret uttered a quiet “Of course,” “I’ll be right beside you.”
Together, they strolled across the cemetery, the aroma of freshly turned earth and flowers filling the air.
Margaret took Alice by the arm and comforted her silently as they made their way between the headstone rows.
Margaret was looking around the cemetery when she noticed a picture on a nearby grave. The moment she recognised the face, her breath seized in her throat. It was Colin’s photo.
She was seeing things that she couldn’t believe. With her heart racing, she moved closer and made a comparison with the picture she had seen on Colin’s internet profile. It was the same individual.
Margaret felt a wave of anxiety and perplexity at that time. What might this signify? For how long has she been speaking with this person? A shiver went down her spine.
Margaret’s hands trembled as she gingerly removed her phone and sent Colin a message. “Hi, is everything still on for today?”
The response arrived swiftly: “Yes, without a doubt, I’ll be there at eight!”
Margaret was at a loss for words. She knew she had to know the truth even though she was afraid and her mind was racing with questions and concerns.
There needed to be a rationale. Perhaps there was a miscommunication, or maybe there was an explanation she was unaware of.
She turned to face Alice and gave her a final encouraging squeeze. “I have to leave, Alice. However, give me a call if you need anything. I’m available to you.”
Alice answered, “Thank you, Margaret,” in a feeble but appreciative voice. “You’ve done so much for me today.”
Margaret drove home after saying her goodbyes, her mind a mess of anxiety. She tried to relax herself as she made her way through the well-known streets. Whatever occurred, she had to remain calm and prepared for Colin’s arrival.
There were flowers on the table, a delicious supper, and everything was ready. Her mind raced with ideas and feelings while she waited by the door, particularly in relation to the enigmatic photo at the graveyard.
Her mind was racing with ideas and feelings as she waited by the door and peered out the window.
She kept wondering about the intriguing photo she had seen at the cemetery, what was waiting for her, and who was going to visit her house.
At last, she noticed a parking lot next to the residence. She watched a man emerge with a bunch of flowers, and her heart raced.
Margaret was stunned, though, when she saw his face. He didn’t resemble the man at all in the pictures. When panic struck, Margaret fled behind the door and didn’t know what to do.
Colin walked over to the door and pressed the bell. Margaret said nothing, her mind whirling with uncertainty and anxiety. She remained still when the doorbell rang once again. At last, Colin broke the silence with a soft, regretful voice.
Margaret, I know you’re within. I can see why you are choosing not to respond. I do not resemble the man in the pictures. I sincerely apologise.
Margaret felt her heart race in her chest. After a moment of hesitation, she heard Colin set the bouquet down at the door. He answered, “I’ll leave these here and go.” “I apologise for the misinformation. All I really wanted to do was meet you.
Margaret lost patience with him as he turned to go. Her voice faltering, she opened the door. “Hold on.”
Colin paused, spun around, and looked directly into her eyes. It seemed like a relief to see her. I’m really sorry, Margaret. I’ll explain.
Tension was evident between them as they entered. Margaret inhaled deeply as she attempted to calm herself. “Colin, why did you lie about how you looked?”
Colin had a regretful expression as he gazed down.
“I find it difficult to meet new people. I have very little relationship experience. I believed no one would be interested in the real me, so I made a profile with a picture of an attractive man since I was really nervous. I kept wanting to tell you, but I was worried that we would lose contact.
Margaret’s heart softened as she listened. The honesty in his gaze was evident to her. Colin, it doesn’t matter how you look. What counts is that you told me the truth about who you really are on the inside.
Margaret let out a gasp and felt guilty. “I also lied.” Although I claimed to be thirty, I’m actually older… I am 45 years old. You wouldn’t want to meet someone so old, I was afraid.
Colin took a step forward and met her gaze. Margaret, I don’t care about your age. I’ve liked our conversations, and you’re stunning. I’m just happy that we will be meeting in person at last.
Margaret developed a smile on her face. I find it funny, don’t you? Our fear made us both pretend to be someone else.
Colin laughed and gave a sign of approval. Indeed, it is. However, that might indicate that we are more alike than we initially believed.
Margaret experienced a wave of relief. Do you want to enter the house? We can have dinner together and make a fresh start this time, free of lies.
Colin gave me a kind smile. “That would be very nice.”
Together, they strolled inside, leaving the flowers on the threshold as a symbol of their new beginning. They shared their genuine selves with each other while they ate dinner and conversed.
A developing relationship and understanding took the place of the anxiety and uncertainty. They both understood that having an honest start was the first step towards something genuine and long-lasting, and that starting a family couldn’t be predicated on lies.
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Read this story if you liked this one: Linda’s desire for the familial bond she was deprived of is evident in her spotless house. Linda’s grief intensifies when her estranged daughter Caitlyn rejects her sincere apology. She accepts a job at her grandson’s summer camp with the assistance of a friend in order to finally meet him. Click here to read the entire story.
