“Dad, meet my future wifeyour daughter-in-law, Emily!” beamed Matthew, his face glowing with happiness.
“What?!” Professor James Whitmore, a man of letters and learning, stared in disbelief. “If this is a joke, its not the slightest bit funny.”
His gaze lingered disapprovingly on Emilys rough hands, dirt wedged under her fingernails. To him, it seemed shed never heard of soap and water.
*Good Lord! Thank heavens my dear Margaret isnt alive to see this shame! We raised this boy with the best manners we could offer.* The thought weighed heavily on him.
“Its not a joke!” Matthew declared boldly. “Emilys staying with us, and were getting married in three months. If you dont want to come to the wedding, Ill manage without you!”
“Hello!” Emily smiled warmly and bustled toward the kitchen. “Ive brought steak pies, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She listed the contents of her worn-out bag as she unpacked.
James clutched his chest when he saw the pristine white tablecloth stained by the leaking jam.
“Matthew, snap out of it! If this is revenge, its cruel Where on earth did you find this simpleton? Shes not staying under my roof!” the professor shouted.
“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in my home!” Matthew smirked defiantly.
James realised his son was mocking him. Without another word, he stormed off to his study in silence.
Lately, their relationship had soured. After his mothers death, Matthew had become recklessdropping out of university, speaking rudely to his father, living carefree.
James had hoped his son would change, return to the bright, sensible young man he once was. But with each passing day, Matthew slipped further away. And now, today, hed brought this country girl into their home. James knew hed never approve, but Matthew had invited someone his father couldnt understand
Soon enough, Matthew and Emily married. James refused to attend the wedding, unwilling to accept this unwanted daughter-in-law. He was furious that Margarets placeonce held by a refined womanhad been taken by this uneducated girl who could barely string two words together.
Emily, ignoring his disdain, tried to win him over but only made things worse. James saw nothing good in her, dismissing her as ignorant with dreadful habits.
Matthew, pretending to be the dutiful husband, soon slipped back into drinking and carousing. James often overheard their arguments and took secret pleasure in them, hoping Emily would finally leave.
“James, your son wants a divorcehes kicking me out, and Im expecting a child!” Emily burst in one day, tears in her eyes.
“First of all, why the streets? Surely youve somewhere to go And pregnancy doesnt grant you the right to stay after a separation. I wont interfereforgive me,” he said, privately relieved to be rid of her.
Emily, crushed and baffled by his hatred, packed her things. She couldnt fathom why Matthew had treated her so cruelly, like a stray dog to be abandoned. So what if she was from the countryside? She had a heart and feelings too
***
Eight years passed James now lived in a care home. His health had declined, and Matthew, seizing the opportunity, had swiftly placed him there to avoid the burden.
The old man had accepted his fate, knowing there was no going back. In his lifetime, hed taught thousands about love, respect, and care. Former students still wrote to thank him Yet his own child remained beyond his reach.
“James, youve got a visitor,” his roommate announced after a stroll.
“Who? Matthew?” James exclaimed, though he knew it impossible. His son would never visithe loathed his father.
“Dunno. Just said to fetch you. Well? Go and see!” the neighbour chuckled.
Leaning on his cane, James shuffled toward the small, musty lounge. Halfway down the stairs, he recognised her.
“Hello, Emily,” he murmured, lowering his head. Guilt still gnawed at him for failing that sincere, simple girl eight years ago.
“James!” she gasped. “Youve changed so much Are you ill?”
“A little,” he smiled sadly. “How did you find me?”
“Matthew told me. He still refuses to speak to our son. But the boy keeps asking for his father and grandfather John isnt to blame for your rejection. He needs family,” she said, voice trembling. “Im sorryperhaps I shouldnt have come.”
“Wait!” James pleaded. “How is he? The last photo you sent, he was only three.”
“Hes here, by the entrance. Shall I call him?”
“Please!”
A brown-haired boy walked inMatthews spitting image. John hesitated before approaching the grandfather hed never met.
“Hello, lad. My, how youve grown” James wept, embracing him.
They talked for hours, strolling through the autumnal park near the home. Emily spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising John alone, managing the farm.
“Im sorry, Emily,” James said. “Ive wronged you. I prided myself on being educated, sensible but only recently did I learn to value people for their heart, not their breeding.”
“James, we have an offer,” Emily said nervously. “Come live with us! Youre alone, and so are we John and I would love to have family close.”
“Grandad, please! Well go fishing, mushroom hunting The countrysides beautiful, and theres plenty of room!” John begged, clutching his hand.
“Lets go!” James grinned. “I failed with Matthewmaybe I can give John what I didnt give him. Besides, Ive never lived in the country. Might like it!”
“You will!” John laughed.
