“Dad, meet hershes going to be my wife, your daughter-in-law.”
“Dad, this is my future wife, your daughter-in-law, Emily!” beamed William, practically glowing with happiness.
“What?!” Professor Dr. Richard Holloway gasped, stunned. “If this is a joke, its not even slightly funny.”
He eyed Emilys rough, dirt-caked fingers with disgust, as if shed never heard of soap and water.
*Good God, thank heavens my dear Margaret isnt alive to see this disgrace. We raised this boy with proper manners!* he thought bitterly.
“Its not a joke!” William shot back defiantly. “Emilys staying with us, and were getting married in three months. If you dont want to come to the wedding, fineIll manage without you!”
“Hello!” Emily smiled cheerfully and marched into the kitchen like she owned the place. “Brought some Cornish pasties, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms…” she listed, pulling items from a worn-out tote.
Richard clutched his chest as a splotch of jam ruined his pristine white tablecloth.
“William, snap out of it! If this is revenge, its cruel. Where on earth did you find this this nobody? Shes not staying in my house!” the professor thundered.
“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in my home!” William smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos.
Richard realized his son was mocking him. Without another word, he stormed off to his room.
Lately, things between him and William had soured. After Margarets death, William had spiraleddropping out of uni, speaking to his father with shocking rudeness, living carefree and reckless. Richard had hoped hed change, return to the bright, kind boy hed once been. But instead, he drifted further away. And nowthis farm girl in his house. Richard knew hed never approve of his sons choice, so William had brought home the one thing hed never understand.
Soon, William and Emily married. Richard refused to attend, unwilling to accept an unwanted daughter-in-law. He seethed, furious that Margareta perfect homemakerhad been replaced by this unrefined girl who could barely string two words together.
Emily, ignoring his disdain, tried to win him over but only made things worse. Richard saw nothing good in herjust ignorance and bad habits.
William, after playing the dutiful husband briefly, fell back into drinking and partying. Richard often overheard their arguments, secretly hoping Emily would leave for good.
“Richard, your son wants a divorcehes throwing me out, and Im pregnant!” Emily burst in one day, tears in her eyes.
“First off, why the streets? Surely youve got somewhere to go. And pregnancy doesnt entitle you to stay here post-divorce. Sorry, but I wont meddle,” Richard replied, privately relieved to finally be rid of her.
Crushed, Emily packed her things, baffled by her father-in-laws hatred from day one. She couldnt fathom why William had treated her so cruellylike a stray dog, tossed aside. So what if she was a country girl? She had a heart and feelings too.
***
Eight years later Richard lived in a care home, weakened by age. William had wasted no time institutionalizing him to avoid the hassle.
Resigned to his fate, Richard knew there was no going back. Hed spent his life teaching thousands about love, respect, and carestill receiving grateful letters from former students. But his own child? Hed failed there.
“Richard, youve got visitors!” the bloke from next door announced after his walk.
“Who? William?” Richard croaked, though he knew better. His son despised him.
“Dunno. They asked for you. Go see!”
Richard grabbed his cane and shuffled toward the dreary little lounge. Halfway down the hall, he froze.
“Hello, Emily,” he muttered, voice small with guilt.
“Richard!” The elegant woman gasped. “Youve changed so much Are you ill?”
“A bit,” he smiled weakly. “How did you find me?”
“William mentioned it. He still refuses to speak to his son. But the boy keeps begging to see his dad and grandad Jonathans innocent in all this. He just wants family.” Her voice trembled. “Sorry, I shouldnt bother you.”
“Wait!” Richard pleaded. “How is he? The last photo you sent, he was three.”
“Hes right outside. Should I?”
“Bring him in!”
A little boy with Williams exact features stepped in shyly.
“Hello, lad. Look how big youve got” Richard choked up, hugging his grandson.
They talked for hours, strolling the care homes autumnal gardens. Emily confessed her struggleslosing her mum young, raising Jonathan alone, managing the farm.
“Im sorry, Emily,” Richard sighed. “I was wrong. Thought myself clever, educatedbut only recently learned people should be judged by their heart, not their upbringing.”
“Richard weve an offer,” Emily said nervously. “Come live with us. Youre alone; so are we. Wed love to have family close.”
“Grandad, please! Well go fishing, mushroom hunting Its gorgeous in the countrysideplenty of space!” Jonathan begged, clinging to his hand.
“Lets go,” Richard smiled. “I failed raising my son. Maybe I can give what I missed with William. Besides never been to the countryside. Might like it.”
“You will!” Jonathan laughed.
