the meantime (short story collection)

Michael's story.

Growing up he lived with his dad and grandmother. A across the way, lived her Aunty, Uncle and, cousins. Her Mother was not in the picture.

His grandmother was a school ward and he father an alcoholic. But, he adored them both. Her grandmother was the linchpin, that held them together and it was when she died everything changed.

He became an addict, got in a relationship with someone, they had a child. The child was taken into care. This leading to more dispair. He started selling himself on the streets. This went on for a few years, Until one day, his client, took him away from it all. 

They got married and life was good for a few years, it took him away from that life. But, something was missing. He then met someone else, who he later married. The relationship between the two wasn't plan sailing alot of addiction issues, between the them.

They had a few beautiful children. But, the addiction for her continued, while he began to sort something out for himself and show up for his child. The relationship became abusive and she left, leaving him to look after the children with the help of her mother.

He later died, nobody knows why. Only, that he was in another relationship and appeared to be happy.

The question is this;

Were any of those relationships, right? Or, where they just attempts to get out unhealthy situations?

Is that the reality for alot of people?

And, is that the reason, so many people are socially depressed?

Do people need time to heal?

Are people racing into situation-ships?

From an economicial point of view, how much does this cost the UK economy?

This story is based on true events. Some of the information and characters has been changed.

Written by;

Community economics reporter