“Dad, meet hershes going to be my wife and your daughter-in-law.”
“Dad, meet my future wife, your daughter-in-law, Emily!” beamed Matthew, his face alight with happiness.
“What?!” Professor Robert Whitmore, a man of letters and dignity, stared in shock. “If this is a joke, its not the least bit funny.”
His eyes flickered with disgust over her rough hands, dirt still caked under her nails. She looked like shed never seen soap and water in her life.
*Dear Lord, thank heavens my dear Margaret never lived to see such disgrace! We raised this boy with proper manners,* he fumed silently.
“Its not a joke!” Matthew shot back defiantly. “Emilys staying with us, and in three months, were getting married. If you dont want to be at the wedding, fineIll manage without you!”
“Hello!” Emily smiled cheerfully and marched straight into the kitchen. “Brought some Cornish pasties, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She listed off the contents of her worn-out sack.
Robert clutched his chest as he watched blackberry jam drip onto the pristine white tablecloth.
“Matthew, snap out of it! If this is some twisted revenge, its too cruel Where on earth did you dig up this simpleton? I wont have her in my house!” the professor roared.
“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in my home!” Matthew smirked, mocking him.
Robert realised his son was toying with him. Wordless, he turned and retreated to his study.
Lately, their relationship had fallen apart. After his mothers death, Matthew had become recklessdropping out of university, speaking harshly, living without a care.
Robert had hoped his son would change, return to the sensible young man hed once been. But day by day, he slipped further away. And now, hed brought this country girl into their home. Robert knew hed never approve, so Matthew had thrown the one thing he couldnt understand in his face.
Soon enough, Matthew and Emily married. Robert refused to attend, unwilling to accept this unwelcome daughter-in-law. He was furiousMargaret, the perfect homemaker, replaced by this uneducated girl who could barely string two words together.
Emily, oblivious or indifferent to his disdain, tried to win him overonly making things worse. He saw nothing good in her, just ignorance and bad habits.
Matthew, after playing the dutiful husband, fell back into drinking and carousing. Robert often overheard their arguments, secretly hoping Emily would leave for good.
“Robert, your son wants a divorcehes throwing me out, and Im expecting a child!” Emily burst in one day, tears in her eyes.
“First of all, why the streets? You must have somewhere to go And being pregnant doesnt grant you the right to stay after a separation. I wont interfereforgive me,” he said coolly, privately relieved to be rid of her.
Crushed and confused, Emily packed her things. She couldnt fathom why Robert had despised her from the startor why Matthew had treated her like a stray dog, abandoning her without a second thought. So what if she was country-born? She had a heart and feelings too
***
Eight years passed Robert lived in a care home, weakened by age. Matthew, seizing the chance, had swiftly committed him there to avoid the burden.
The old man accepted his fate, knowing there was no going back. Hed spent his life teaching thousands about love, respect, and careletters of gratitude still arrived from former students. Yet his own child had slipped through his fingers
“Robert, youve got visitors,” his neighbour announced after a stroll outside.
“Who? Matthew?” His voice wavered, knowing it couldnt be. His son hated him too much.
“Dunno. They asked for you. Why sit here? Go see!” the neighbour chuckled.
Robert grabbed his cane and shuffled toward the foyer. Halfway down the hall, he recognised her.
“Hello, Emily,” he murmured, lowering his head. Guilt still gnawed at him for failing that sincere, simple girl all those years ago.
“Robert!” She gasped. “Youve changed so much Are you ill?”
“A little” He gave a sad smile. “How did you find me?”
“Matthew mentioned it. He still refuses to speak to his son. But the boy keeps asking about his fatherand his grandfather John isnt to blame for your rejection. He needs family.” Her voice trembled. “Forgive meI shouldnt have come.”
“Wait!” he pleaded. “How is heJohn? The last photo you sent, he was only three.”
“Hes here, by the entrance. Shall I call him?”
“Please!”
A chestnut-haired boy stepped inMatthews spitting image. John hesitated, then approached the grandfather hed never met.
“Hello, lad Look how tall youve grown,” Robert choked out, pulling him into an embrace.
They talked for hours, strolling through the care homes autumn gardens. Emily spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising a child alone, managing the farm.
“Forgive me, Emily. I was wrong. I thought myself wise, educatedbut only recently did I learn that people should be valued for their honesty and spirit, not their polish,” Robert admitted.
“Robert, we have a proposal,” Emily said nervously. “Come live with us. Youre aloneso are we. Wed love to have family nearby.”
“Grandad, please! Well go fishing, mushroom hunting The countrysides beautiful, and theres plenty of room!” John tugged his hand.
“Ill come,” Robert smiled. “I failed with Matthewmaybe I can give John what I couldnt give his father. Besides, Ive never lived in the country. Might suit me.”
“Youll love it!” John laughed.
