Dad, meet the woman who will soon be my wifeand your future daughter-in-law!
Gleaming with the sort of happiness typically reserved for winning the lottery, Matthew beamed at his father.
What? spluttered Professor Richard Lee, PhD, caught thoroughly off-guard. If this is your idea of a joke, its about as funny as a damp sock.
Richards eyes swept over the supposed future daughter-in-laws handscalloused, nails rimmed with garden soil. To him, it looked as though Emily had never encountered soap and water in her life.
For a fleeting moment, he pictured his late wife, darling Eleanor, and silently sighed. Thank goodness my dear Eleanor isnt here to witness such disgrace. We tried so hard to raise this boy with proper manners
Its not a joke! Matthew replied with possibly too much bravado. Emily will be staying with us, and were getting married in three months. You dont have to come to the wedding if you dont want to, honestly!
Hello! Emily grinned, making herself right at home as she headed for the kitchen. Ive brought pasties, homemade strawberry jam, some dried mushrooms from the allotment She proceeded to list her wares, pulling them from a bag so battered it belonged in a Dickens novel.
Richard clutched his chest in horror as the jam, in all its sticky glory, ended up on his snowy-white tablecloth.
Matthew! Have you lost leave of your senses? he roared. If this is payback for something, youve outdone yourself. Where on earth did you find this uncultured farm girl? I wont have her in my house!
I love Emily, Matthew retorted, managing a smirk. And as my wife, shes got every right to live here.
Richard realised his son was winding him up. With the dignity of a man who had just lost an argument with a turnip, he retreated in silence to his study.
Their relationship, once strong, had deteriorated since Eleanors death. Matthew had left university, started talking back, and generally behaved as if life were one long holiday at the pub. Richard hoped the old Matthewthe clever, kind sonwould return, but each day took him further away. Now, as if a cherry on a rather disastrous cake, hed brought home this country lass.
Matthew and Emily married soon enough. Richard stubbornly refused to attend, boycotting the event as if it were a particularly unappealing school assembly. He couldnt forgive the fact that Emily had replaced Eleanor, the sparkling homemaker, with someone seemingly incapable of stringing a decent sentence together.
Emily, for her part, made valiant efforts to win over her father-in-law, which only seemed to make things worse. Richard couldnt see past her rough edges; she was, in his eyes, ignorant and lacking in refinement.
Matthew, after playing the role of model husband for a brief spell, reverted to his old waysdrinking and avoiding responsibility. Richard often overheard their rows and secretly took satisfaction, convinced that Emily would eventually give up and leave.
One day, Emily burst in, red-eyed and tearful. Mr. Lee, your son wants a divorce! Hes kicking me out, and Im expecting a child!
Well, Richard replied, not even trying to feign sympathy, youve got somewhere else to go, havent you? Just because youre pregnant doesnt entitle you to stay here post-divorce. Im afraid I wont be getting involved in your domestic dramas, secretly relieved to be rid of her at last.
Heartbroken, and still clueless as to why the father-in-law had disliked her from the start, Emily gathered her things. She couldnt understand Matthews sudden crueltywhy hed left her abandoned and alone. So what if she was from the country? She had feelings too
***
Eight years passed. Richard now resided in Meadowbrook Retirement Home, strength all but gone. Matthew, always the practical son, had hastily packed him off there to avoid the extra fuss.
Richard had come to terms with his lot. After decades teaching students about compassion, respect, and kindnessstill receiving grateful letters from old pupilshe had failed in the one area that really mattered: family.
Richard, youve got visitors again, his roommate announced, fresh from a constitutional.
What, Matthew? the old man asked hoarsely, though he knew his son wouldnt come. The dislike between them was practically sport by now.
No idea! Go and see for yourself! his roommate chuckled.
Gripping his cane, Richard shuffled toward the stuffy visitors room. As soon as he caught sight of her, he knew.
Emily! he blurted, hardly above a whisper. He dropped his gaze, shame welling up at all the hurt his pride had caused.
Mr. Lee! Emily, now more graceful than he remembered, seemed surprised. Youve changed Are you unwell?
Bit under the weather, Richard replied with a rueful smile. What brings you here, and how did you find me?
Matthew told me. You know he refuses to see our son. But the boys always asking after his dad and grandfather. Its not fair, reallyJohns done nothing wrong. The poor thing just wants family, but its only ever been the two of us Her voice trembled as she spoke. Sorry, maybe I shouldnt have come.
Wait, Richard pleaded. Hows John? The last photo you sent, he was only three.
Hes out by the entrance. Shall I fetch him?
Yes, yes, of course! said Richard, his spirits lifting.
Soon a brown-haired boyMatthew in miniatureentered the room. John approached his grandfather with nervous curiosity.
Hello, son! My, how youve grown Richards eyes filled with tears as he hugged his grandson.
They spent ages strolling through the golden autumn park outside the home, swapping stories. Emily shared her strugglesher mothers early death, raising John alone, the tribulations of rural life.
Im so sorry, Emily, Richard said at last. All my qualifications, all my cleverness, and its taken me this long to realise its kindness and sincerity that truly matter.
Mr. Lee, we have a suggestion, Emily began, a bit nervously. Come and live with us! Its just me and John, and wed love for you to be with family again.
Grandad, please come! John begged, squeezing his hand. We can go fishing, forage mushrooms in the woods The countrysides brilliantand theres loads of room!
All right, lets do it! Richard grinned, heart lighter than it had been in years. I missed out bringing up my own boy. Maybe now I can give you what I never managed to give Matthew. And besides, Ive never lived in the countryI reckon its about time!
Youll love it! John laughed, and for once, Richard believed he truly might.
