Ill build my family on different values
In Year 11, Emily realised she had feelings for her classmate, James. He wasnt like the other boysnever rude, never mocking the vulnerable, never making snide remarks to girls, always polite to teachers, unlike some.
James was handsome, with fair, slightly curly hair and gentle blue eyes that always seemed to smile. Hed always been on the shorter side, but after the summer holidays, hed shot up, now taller than most of the boys in their year, and his shoulders had broadened.
James, what happened to you? both girls and boys asked, You were always the shortest, and now suddenly
Im not sure myself, he replied with a grin, though he knew it was because hed spent the summer working on a building site. He didnt want to explainhe knew theyd start asking why.
James had to work all summer. His father drank, never brought home his wages, paid off debts, and hid the rest from his mum. His mother was a nurse on night shifts at the hospital. Living on one salary was tough, especially with James growing so fast. His mum saw it, and James understood too.
Mum, where could I get a summer job? he asked. I want to earn money for clothes and shoes for school. Dads no help.
Oh, love, you really have grown up, his mum sighed. Let me talk to Auntie Vera. Her husband, Tom, runs a construction business. Maybe hell take you on as a helper.
Tom hired James, and he worked hard all summer. Vera told Jamess mum, Toms always praising your boyhardworking, reliable, clever. Not like our lad, who gets everything handed to him.
Thank you, Vera. At least my son didnt take after his father.
Why dont you kick that drunk out? What kind of life is this? Vera advised.
I could, but where would he go? I just cant bring myself to do it, even though Im at my wits end
Jamess mum was soft-hearted, always feeding stray cats and dogs. Thats why she couldnt bring herself to divorce her husband.
When Emily saw James on the first day back at school, she was stunned.
Wow, look at James! Tall, healthy, dressed welleven though everyone says his dads a drunk, the girls whispered, admiring him.
Emily was different too. A beautiful girl with long dark hair and deep brown eyes, her gaze was sharp and thoughtful. Shed always been top of the class, helping everyone, respected by her peers. The others envied her more as they grew older, but Emily never acted superiorshe was friendly and helpful to all. Girls across the school envied her style; she was always impeccably dressed. Her family was well-knownher father, John, taught economics at the university, her mother, Margaret, taught chemistry at the college. Emily was their only child, but she wasnt spoiled.
Teachers spoke highly of Emily: A professors daughter, but so well-mannered and serious. Usually, kids from such families are spoiled, with parents always sorting out their problems. But here Well, it depends on the child too, theyd say in the staff room.
After the first day, Emily found herself thinking, I like James. Thats why I look forward to school, cant wait for morning to see him. Is this love, or something else? Ive never been in love before, though some girls talk about late-night walks with boys.
James had fallen for Emily too, so much so that he barely noticed any other girls, though many tried to get his attention. Emily didnt know that some girls messaged him and asked him out, but he always declined.
One afternoon, as Emily left school, James approached her.
Emily, could you help me with algebra? Ive fallen behind and now its all piling up
Of course, come to my house and well sort it out.
Is that alright? What will your parents say?
Dont worry, theyre great. Or we can go now if you want.
Alright, lets go, James agreed, and they walked off together, watched by jealous girls.
Emily took the tutoring seriously, explained everything clearly, and suddenly it all made sense to James.
Its not so hard once you get it, he smiled.
Love often arrives unexpectedly
From that day, James started walking Emily home, even though he lived further away. Soon, the whole school was buzzing about their romance.
Emilys got James wrapped around her finger, said Kate, who fancied him. He follows her like a puppy.
Well, James knows what hes doinghanging around with the professors daughter, others grumbled, boys included, since many liked Emily.
But Emily didnt care; she was happy whenever James was near. Love comes out of nowhere, like a beam of light in a dark room. It doesnt check your background or surname. It just happens. Even if two people come from different worlds, with different upbringings and destinies, none of it matters when their hearts beat together.
Emilys parents knew about her friendship with James, welcomed him into their home, and saw them walk together in the eveningsnever too late, as her parents didnt allow it.
Margaret knew all about Jamess family, his fathers drinking, his mothers struggles. Her friend even commented, Margaret, your daughters hanging around with that boy James. From that family, you know Drunk father, mum working herself to the bone. But Emilys so clever
But James is a good student and a polite boy. Ive spoken to him, Emilys mum replied.
Oh, what manners can he have from that family? What example can he set for your daughter?
Well, my nephews from a similar background and hes at university, doing brilliantly! Its not about the family, its about the person.
Time passed, and Emily and James were inseparable. School was ending. Emily graduated with top honours, James did well too. Emily went to university, James to a polytechnic.
At the prom, the girls gossiped, some with relief: Emilys off to university, James to polytechnic Their paths will split. Shell find someone new soon enough.
Love is a strange thing. It doesnt care about surnames or drunken rows. It sees the real person, the one who can change, no matter their parents.
James, what are you doing chasing after the professors daughter? Theyll never accept you, youve got nothing to offer, his father ranted, but James ignored himhed long lost respect for his dad. His father fumed, Youll end up just like me
One night, after another drunken tirade, James snapped.
I wont live like you. What do you have? Just the bottom of a glass. Ill build my family on values completely different from yours.
Of course, circumstances matter. If Emilys parents had insisted, Cant you see what family James comes from? their story might have ended with the first sign of disapproval. But they saw how much Emily and James cared for each other and chose not to interfere. They chose each other, proving that fate can be rewritten.
Years passed at university for Emily and at polytechnic for James, but they stayed together, their love overcoming every challenge.
Before graduation, James proposed:
Ive waited so long for this, he said, kneeling and opening a box with a ring. I want you to be my wife. Will you?
Oh, James, of course! Where would I be without you?
They married. Emilys parents gifted them a flat for the wedding. James got a good job at a big firm, quickly recognised for his talent, with a bright future ahead. He dreams of starting his own business, and hell make it happen.
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