The lost husband

I must have thanked God when my mother answered the phone to tell the lady that I never was a detective. It must have been a joke, but I was lonely and jobless, seeking out a living, when I sent an ad to the local newspaper to advertise me as a detective. Living with my mother never was a paradise, but when I realized the fact that the lives of my friends were not different with their spouses, I decided to do something. Other persons were expecting me to do something about that, so I got the ad though I was not trained nor had any experience at the job.

The first call came a Monday, when this lady called asking for my services. Her husband had disappeared, and she wanted someone to find him. My mother told her that the ad was a joke.

-My son is a poor middle aged man who did never married, miss- she told her. –He sent that ad to the newspaper as a joke. He really doesn’t wants to find your husband.

Anyway, my mother gave me the lady’s address to find out and I found myself in this barren Santa Rita house. My possible client was a very old lady. I looked at her, which had little chicken bruises in her legs, and thought she must probably have been senile, but anyway I decided to interview her.

-You told my mother your husband is lost. I can help you to find him.

She looked at me with a barren glance and resolutely answered.

-Yes. But your mother told me you are not a detective. You have advertised your services a joke.

-Nevertheless, I can help you. What happened to your husband?

-It’s a long tale- she said.

-Tell me the story-

-Well, young man. I met him on a strike. Men and women need much water to get along, but a strike is just too much. He got almost drowned.

-Fine- I said. –You do not know where he is today.

-No- she said. –We do not get along today.

-I need to use the bathroom- I said. –Can you tell me where to go.

-Just open one of the doors- she said. –You will find out.

One of the doors was closed. The next one was the bathroom door. When I finished, I found the lady in the porch. I waved her goodbye.

In the afternoon, I got to my mother’s house. The mystery was solved partially, but I had to act fast. I got an old suit from my grandfather, who gave it to me as his only heredity.

-Surely it suits him also- I told myself.

I got to my client’s house as soon as possible. I got to one of the windows which coincided with the inside closed door.

-Dad. Are you asleep?- I asked.

A whispering voice came from the inside.

-It must be a mistake- he said. –You are not my son.

-I brought you a suit, Dad- I told him. –I know you are not getting along with the lady. So, please dress yourself.

-Who are you?- he asked. What are you doing?

-Get dressed- I said. –I sent an ad to the newspaper. She told mom her husband was lost.