Dads Old Blazer
Three days before Simons big birthday, his dad suddenly turned up from his village. Theyd thought they would go visit him later, but instead, he decided to come on his own.
Arthur Miller arrived with a whole bag filled with treats. He doesnt make homemade jam or pickle cucumbers anymore since losing his wife, but the neighbour lady always shares some with him. And Arthur, cut from old cloth, couldnt show up empty-handed. So he packed jars of raspberries and blackcurrants, and brought along nearly four dozen eggs from his own chickens.
Simons wife, Emily, wrinkled her nose a little, her mind set elsewhere.
Arthur, whatever will we do with all this? Itll just go off, she sighed.
Well, I thought, its Simons big birthday; maybe you could bake some pies for the guests. His mum used to do that for him. He always loved her raspberry pies! Arthur said, gently.
Dad, thats very kind, but you didnt have towere actually celebrating at a restaurant this time. Youre coming with us, arent you? Simon offered, but Emily nudged him and gave him that look, as if to say, Do you really see him at a posh restaurant?
You could tell the old man was disappointed.
He started buttoning up his old blazer, then scratched at his neck, obviously anxious.
Son, why are you all going to some fancy place? Last time, when your mum was still around, I remember you celebrated at home. I reckon I wont bother going with you lot this time He glanced hopefully at Simon. What would I even do there? Ive got nothing decent to wearhardly the place for an old bloke like me.
He was clearly nervous, almost afraid. Ive never even been in a restaurant. Id likely get lost, embarrass myself, and wind up the butt of someones joke.
He mumbled the same thing, over and over, but it was plain to see: as much as he feared making a fool of himself, hed actually love to visit a restaurant just once in his life. Like people do in the movies.
Simon glanced at Emily. Hed recently been promoted, and his colleagues and even the director were coming to the party. But this was his dadhis only family left after his mums passing. Was he really going to leave him home just because he didnt look the part, was from the country, or wasnt used to their sort of crowd?
Arthur looked at his son, then at his daughter-in-law, under his wild brows, his faded blue eyes confused, clearly not sure what to do.
Then Emily surprised Simon.
Usually so careful, so proper, and always concerned about his work image, she spoke up, her voice trembling, Simon, whats a milestone birthday without your dad? Mine are goneand hes all youve got left. Lets get your father a new blazer and some trousers so he feels comfortable on the night.
Oh, dont go making a fuss about mewasting good money for a dying old fool like me, Arthur protested, getting flustered. But Simon smiled at his wife and declared, Shes right. Lets go pick something out together!
Just dont buy me a tie, mind you. I never wore one and I wont start now, Dad insisted, still anxious, but Emily laughed and looped her arm through his.
So, they went out and got him a crisp new shirt and a proper suit. Arthur kept smoothing it down, admiring how soft it felt. Then he asked, I wont wear this much, Simon. If anything, when I pass, bury me in it, will you? So I look smart for your mum when I see her again.
At the party, everyone said how well Simons father looked, how lively and full of stories he was.
The director even clapped Simon on the back, Top man, Simon, you are. Your old mans a gema real salt-of-the-Earth chap!
Arthur sat among the guests, beaming with pride, his eyes alight. He enjoyed Simons friends and even his bosses. Good, honest folksno airs and gracesand he thought, my sons found the right crowd.
The next day at home, Emily actually baked pies, just like she used to in their leaner years when the children were little. There was such warmth in the house, and no one wanted Dad to head back so soon.
He did go home in the end, though, proud as anything in his new suitso the neighbours could see him looking smart. He left with pies in his bag, alongside the gifts hed been given.
Simon and Emily begged him to stay, but as always, he resisted, What would I do here in your city? Id pine away. My chickens are waiting, and Patch and Whiskers, too. The neighbours watching them, but Id rather you both just visit me more often
Arthur made it through the winter. They visited a few more times, but by spring, when the grass was first greening, he passed awayshort of making another summer.
That autumn, Simon and Emily were tidying his fathers house.
Simon still cant bring himself to throw anything away. He opens a drawer to find it brimming with old photographs, letters, and little things from his parents.
Then, one day, they opened his dads wardrobe, and thereproudly hangingwas that new blazer.
At the funeral, the neighbour found a different suit in a little suitcase; it was one Simons mum had bought specially for Arthur, though hed never known it. The new birthday blazer remained on its hanger in the old house, a silent witness to the wonderful night Dad had at his sons party.
One day, Emily walked in, saw Simon, and gently draped his fathers blazer over his shoulders, holding him close.
They werent young anymore, but in that childhood home, it was always warm, and you could somehow feel like a child again, silly as it sounded.
And sometimes, it seemed that from somewhere far beyond, their parents were looking down on themArthur himself under those wild eyebrows, squinting as if proud his son hadnt forgotten where he came from. They still visited the old house. They werent hardened or cold or proud. They remembered their parentsand that was the most important thing of all.
