“Dad, meet hershes going to be my wife, your daughter-in-law.”
“Dad, this is my future wife, your daughter-in-law, Emily!” beamed James, his voice bright with joy.
“What?!” Professor Richard Hawthorne, PhD, stiffened in shock. “If this is a joke, its not remotely funny.”
His lip curled as he studied the rough, dirt-caked fingernails of this girl. She looked as though shed never seen soap and water in her life.
*Good Lord Thank heaven my dear Eleanor didnt live to see this disgrace. We raised this boy with every advantagehow could he do this to us?*
“Its no joke!” James shot back, defiant. “Emilys moving in. Were getting married in three months. If you wont stand at my wedding, fineIll manage without you.”
“Hello!” Emily chirped, bustling past him toward the kitchen. “Ive brought steak pies, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She listed the contents of her worn-out sack as she unpacked them.
Richard clutched his chest when a glob of jam smeared across the pristine linen tablecloth.
“James, wake up! If this is revenge, its too cruel. Where on earth did you find this this unrefined girl? She is *not* staying under my roof!”
“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in my home!” James smirked, taunting him.
Richard understood thenhis son was mocking him. Without another word, he turned and marched to his study, silent fury boiling inside him.
Lately, everything between them had changed. After Eleanors death, James had spiraleddropping out of Oxford, speaking to him with open contempt, living recklessly. Richard had hoped, desperately, that his son would come back to himselfreturn to the bright, disciplined young man hed once been. But with each passing day, James grew more distant. And now this. Bringing home some country girl who didnt even know which fork to use.
It didnt take long for James and Emily to marry. Richard refused to attend the wedding. He would *not* accept this unwanted daughter-in-law. The injustice of it gnawed at himhow dare this uneducated girl take the place his elegant, dignified Eleanor should have held?
Emily, oblivious or indifferent to his hostility, tried to win him over, but only made things worse. Richard saw nothing in her but ignorance and coarse manners.
James, playing at being a devoted husband, soon slipped back into drinking and carousing. Richard overheard their fightsand secretly hoped each one would drive Emily away.
“Richard Your sons filing for divorce. Hes throwing me outand Im pregnant!” Emily burst in one day, tears streaking her face.
“And why *shouldnt* you leave? Youve got family to go back to, surely. Being pregnant doesnt entitle you to stay here after a separation. Stay out of your mess.” His voice was cold, but inside, he rejoicedfinally, hed be rid of her.
Emily, crushed, packed her things in silence. She couldnt understand why hed despised her from the startor why James had treated her so cruelly. Did she not have a heart, just because she was from the countryside?
***
Eight years passed.
Richard lived in a care home now, his health failing. James, seizing the opportunity, had swiftly institutionalized him to avoid the burden.
Resigned to his fate, Richard knew there was no going back. Hed spent his life teaching thousands about love, respect, and careletters of gratitude still arrived from former students. But his own son he had failed.
“Richard, youve got visitors,” his roommate announced.
“Who? James?” he croaked, though he knew it was impossible. His son would never come. He hated him.
“Dunno. Someone asked for you. Why just sit there? Go and see!”
Richard gripped his cane and shuffled toward the lounge. Halfway down the hall, he froze.
“Hello, Emily,” he whispered, his voice frail. Guilt twisted inside himhed never defended that earnest, simple girl.
“Richard!” The elegant woman gasped. “You look so different. Are you ill?”
“A little,” he admitted with a sad smile. “How did you find me?”
“James told me. He still wont speak to our son. But the boy keeps askingfor his father, his grandfather. John isnt to blame for what happened. He needs family.” Her voice trembled. “Im sorryperhaps I shouldnt have come.”
“Wait,” he begged. “How is he? The last photo you sent he was only three.”
“Hes here, by the entrance. Shall I call him?”
“Yesplease!”
Minutes later, a russet-haired boy stepped inJames in miniature. John hesitated, then approached the grandfather hed never met.
“Hello, lad Youre so tall,” Richard choked out, pulling him into an embrace.
They talked for hours, strolling through the care homes autumnal gardens. Emily spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising a child alone, managing the farm.
“Im sorry, Emily. I failed you. I thought myself wise, educated but only recently did I learnits not intellect or breeding that makes a person worthy. Its their heart.”
“Richard weve an offer,” she said nervously. “Come live with us. Youre aloneso are we. Wed love to have family close.”
“Granddad, please! Well go fishing, mushroom foraging The countrysides beautiful, and theres loads of space!” John pleaded, clutching his hand.
“Alright,” Richard smiled, tears in his eyes. “I failed with James Perhaps I can give John what I never gave my son. Besides Ive never lived in the country. Might be nice.”
“Youll love it!” John laughed.
