Dear Christine,
Something has been worrying me for the past few weeks.
I was sitting at my window with the lights off on a Friday night recently when I noticed that the two persons who kept a nearby shopkeeper company, as well as his lady friend, went home.
Then about half an hour later, a young woman came up the streets and went up the steps into the shop. Christine, do you think she was packing shelves at that time?
I spoke to the shopkeeper’s “old girlfriend”, who worships at his church, and she said that the young woman could be a “lady of the night”.
The reason why I dropped you these few lines is because the shopkeeper goes out with a very well dressed woman who he calls his wife. His “old girlfriend” thinks that I should approach her and let her know that he lives a lifestyle that can make her sick.
Christine, I don’t know who to tell this story to. He used to look like 70 years old, but since he [started] liking this lady he looks good. But I think she will soon die from some kind of illness.
– CONCERNED?RESIDENT
Dear Concerned Resident,
It’s obvious that you feel obligated to say something about this matter because this shopkeeper seems to be dabbling with a young woman while going out in public with another, and you are offended by his hypocrisy.
Of course, you have every right to feel offended by his behaviour because what he seems to be up to is not right. No man should do things like that to a woman. Likewise, no woman should do such things to a man.
That said, what your neighbour, the shopkeeper, is doing is his business and you have no right to interfere.
First, you are not 100 per cent sure that he is involved in any activity with the young woman who went to his house.
He may have asked her to come to him late so he could pass something to her. The fact that she went at that time means that he wanted to be discreet in what he was doing. You should therefore respect that. And if he is indeed up to no good with that young woman, it is his business.
You need to realize too that though this man may or may not be sexually involved with this young woman, he may still be seeking to develop a romantic relationship with the one he refers to as his wife. Again, even if that offends you, it’s still not your business to intervene.
You may argue that by telling this lady you may be helping her from making the wrong decision by linking up with a two-timer – and you may be right. But again, that is not your call to make.
If you must speak to someone, first talk to the shopkeeper and tell him what you think he is doing is not right and fair. Based on his response, you would know how to proceed.
– Christine