I never knew HD. He just burst into my life one day unannounced. As the door slammed I knew he was here to stay. "You’ve got no business here" I told him but he just smirked and sat down in the big easy chair by the fire. As the flames roared in a burst of yellow and orange, I watched out of the corner of my eye to see what he was going to do next. He just sat there, unknown, unannounced, as though he had been here in my house all along, as though he was part of our family. "Look, HD maybe you’ve got the wrong house, There’s a really nice couple that lives down the street, got your eyes, I could show you the way if you’d like".
    "No, thanks, I’m staying for good, we go way back, besides it’s nice to catch up with kinfolk". So HD settled in and we had no say about this unwelcome guest
    The other night I went dancing with Anger, she wore a red dress which twisted and swirled as she did the two-step in her stiletto heels. She was really easy to dance with, but when it came time to leave, she didn’t want to go. The music played on till 2a.m. and I was tired so I left Anger there and went home alone, only to find HD waiting up for me. I try to ignore him sometimes, pretend he isn’t here in my house, playing with the kids and sharing himself around, but his attitude remains one of indifference, it’s like he doesn’t care what we think, he just carries on regardless.
    I was busy cleaning up after lunch on Tuesday when there was a knock on the door and it was my old friend’s Joy and Compassion. They felt I’d been out of touch lately and came around to remind me we had a date on Friday for coffee and a chat. I was so pleased to see them and we laughed about the time we’d played soccer with the Autumn leaves at Anzac Park, which was funny really, because it was a time of friends coming together to remember. When it was time for them to go, I gave them a big hug and said I’d see them soon and as I showed them out I could see HD’s shadow lurking behind the kitchen door.
    It was like that sometimes, you couldn’t see him but you knew he was there. His tall, dark features were hard to miss, and that foxy grin of his told tales of sneaking around. He seemed to bring out the worst in me somehow. I’d try to be polite and make conversation but I never invited him in so I would always put on a mask when he was around, it was the only way I could cope for a while.
    Yesterday the sun was shining, it was the first day of spring and the first daffodils were out in my back garden amongst the weeds. Complacency had taken over the gardening duties and she wasn’t doing a very good job, I’m thinking of replacing her with Nurture whom I’ve heard is a whizz at such things. It would be so nice to see the tall poppies making a show by Christmas.
    This evening Longing and I sat on the porch and watched the last remains of the day sink slowly below the horizon. It was still warm outside and it was kinda nice sitting there not saying much while the moon crept in to light up the night sky. Longing never likes to talk much, he just sits there staring into the distance with a wistful look on his face. I asked him if I should ring up Comfort and ask her around so that we could listen to music together but he wasn’t at all pleased with the idea and said he was happy just the way he was.
    It took me a long time, but after talking to Father Hope after mass last Sunday, I decided to forgive HD for coming into my life so unexpectedly and shattering our peaceful existence. I threw a party to celebrate and invited all my old friends’ Courage, Love, Inspiration and Harmony. Beauty even turned up for a while wearing her pink satin dress and matching shoes. There were lots of laughter and fun as we popped the champagne and waltzed around the room. Some uninvited guests turned up for a while, I found them gossiping in the kitchen with HD. I suspect he invited them in, but would never admit it. He introduced them as Suffering and Grief. They wore black jeans and army-style shirts, spilling their beer and swearing a lot so I called Security over and asked him to kick them out. It was well after midnight when everybody left, Pleasure was the last to go, I was sorry to see her leave but she said she’d be back again soon.
    HD is part of the family now, he introduced me to Change and Resignation after the final match last Tuesday, the score was nil all. Although I didn’t invite him in, we’ve got used to having HD around and we don’t argue as much as we used to. Sometimes I hear him on the phone ringing up Fear so I make an excuse and go out. Most times though we get along O.K. though. I’ve got to know him pretty well now, he’s no longer a stranger so that’s nice, isn’t it?. Next summer he’s decided to come on holiday with us. I’m not sure about that, so I’ve asked Fun to come along just in case.

By a Mother with children at risk.