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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash<\/p>\n
James writes letters to his estranged son, but no answer arrives for years. One day, his son Andrew sends a picture with a message demanding James stop trying to make contact. Unable to hold himself back, James drives to his son\u2019s house to meet him, only to discover that Andrew might not live for long.<\/p>\n
James was restless. Once again, it was another feeble attempt. James sighed deeply as he licked the stamp and stuck it on the envelope addressed to his son Andrew.<\/p>\n
They had been estranged since James\u2019 late wife\u2019s funeral. Despite James\u2019 attempts to mend his fractured relationship with his son, Andrew rejected all his efforts.<\/p>\n
That day, James collected the piles of bills from his mailbox and sat back, throwing the envelopes on his coffee table. That\u2019s when one particular letter caught his attention, and his heart leaped\u2026<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash<\/p>\n
Rubbing his eyes, James tore open the envelope and pulled out a Polaroid.<\/p>\n
\u201cANDREW!\u201d a heartfelt whisper escaped James\u2019 lips as he saw Andrew was smiling at the camera with one arm wrapped around his wife. Their two little sons stood proudly, flashing their best smiles.<\/p>\n
James\u2019 eyes grew moist, and hoped his son had finally forgiven him.<\/p>\n
But when he flipped the picture, hoping to see a lovely message from his son, he got to see something else. Something that made the blood drain off his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cJames, you\u2019ll never be a part of this family. Stop sending me letters. And soon, nobody will be here to receive them at this address.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Are they moving somewhere?\u201d James immediately thought.<\/p>\n
Several thoughts haunted him. Andrew had reached out after years of no contact. James suspected something was still missing in the bigger picture and decided to meet his son.<\/p>\n
Andrew lived an eight-hour drive away, and James was ready to take that drive.<\/p>\n
The next day, James was driving on the highway. Long drives offer a chance to think about everything that\u2019s happened in the past. The truth is, he could never blame Andrew for cutting all contact. It was James\u2019 fault.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay<\/p>\n
Ten years ago\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is going on over here?\u201d a scream startled James, who had been fully focused\u2026on a woman\u2019s bosom.<\/p>\n
With a racing heart, James sprang from his bed and pulled his pants up, quickly approaching a furious Andrew in the doorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy, son, it\u2019s not what you think\u2026 I\u2026I was just\u2026.\u201d James stuttered. \u201cI can explain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEXPLAIN WHAT?? That you\u2019re in Mom\u2019s bed\u2026cuddling with your secretary?\u201d Andrew barked and stormed out as James followed, his face reddened with embarrassment.<\/p>\n
\u201cSon, please don\u2019t tell your mother. I\u2019m sorry,\u201d he begged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll not tell Mom you were here, banging your secretary while Mom\u2019s rotting away in the hospital bed,\u201d Andrew seethed. \u201cI\u2019ll never tell her that her husband is a piece of SH\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy, I\u2019m sorry. I\u2026I was just\u2026\u201d James rushed an apology, unable to meet Andrew\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out of my sight!\u201d Andrew fumed. \u201cI want you to go to Mom\u2026and be by her side. You\u2019ll hold her hand and tell her how wonderful she was. And this stays between us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Time seemed to play a cruel joke on Andrew, who lost his mother, Vivienne, three months later. As soon as the doctors declared her gone, Andrew threw his father out of the ward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll deal with this\u2026see you at the funeral,\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n
Andrew gave a beautiful eulogy for his late mother, his words moving James and other guests to tears.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
It tore James apart, and he couldn\u2019t believe how foolish he was to start an affair with his secretary when his wife was most vulnerable. His only solace was that his late wife never knew about his fling, and James promised to make amends with his son.<\/p>\n
However, once the funeral was over and the guests left, Andrew approached his father with a cold expression that brewed tension in James.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll never see me again!\u201d Andrew declared.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy, please\u2026no. Please don\u2019t do this to me. Please give me a chance,\u201d James pleaded.<\/p>\n
But Andrew walked away and drove off as James watched him disappear outside the cemetery gate.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
A loud honk smashed James\u2019 thoughts as he pulled up outside Andrew\u2019s house and knocked on the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Carson?\u201d a woman answered the door. She was Andrew\u2019s wife, who quickly recognized James, although they never met before. She had seen him in old family photos.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re Andrew\u2019s wife, right?\u201d James asked her. \u201cCan I please see my son?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m Ashley\u2026please come in,\u201d the woman replied. \u201cI\u2019m afraid you can\u2019t meet Andrew. He\u2019s not here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, dear\u2026I want to see my son and talk to him in person,\u201d James said, desperation brimming in his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Carson, I\u2019m not lying. Andrew is not here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, where is he then? At work?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026he\u2019s at\u2026.the hospital,\u201d Ashley disclosed, her revelation hitting James like a bag of bricks.<\/p>\n
Andrew was waiting for a transplant because both his kidneys had shut down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid you can\u2019t meet him,\u201d Ashley continued. \u201cHe\u2019ll not acknowledge your visit. We can\u2019t add more to his stress because he\u2019s already having a hard time. I can\u2019t let you upset him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, please. My son is dying\u2026and you\u2019re asking me not to see him??\u201d James argued. \u201cI\u2019m done waiting to talk to him for ten years. Let me speak to the doctors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sighing heavily, Ashley agreed, and they immediately drove to the hospital.<\/p>\n
At the hospital, Dr. Mullins had disheartening news about Andrew. \u201cHis body won\u2019t support another round of dialysis,\u201d he told James and Ashley. \u201cWe need to find a donor as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a long pause, James looked into the doctor\u2019s eyes and cried, pleadingly folding his hands in prayer. \u201cI\u2019ll donate my kidney.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we can\u2019t do that,\u201d Ashley alarmingly chimed in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?? Why not? I have to\u2026I have to save my son,\u201d James turned to her in shock.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband and his father are estranged, doctor,\u201d Ashley told Dr. Mullins. \u201cIt would upset him, and he\u2019ll reject it if he learns his dad\u2019s the donor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand. But first, we need to know if Mr. Carson is a match. Moreover, Ashley, this might be your husband\u2019s last chance,\u201d Dr. Mullins explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut doctor\u2026you said we could wait until we got a donor\u2026and that Andrew was high up on the list. I don\u2019t mind Mr. Carson offering to help. But it would lead to a huge problem, and I don\u2019t think my husband will take it well,\u201d Ashley expressed her worry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if he doesn\u2019t find out at all??\u201d James interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Ashley turned to him, her brows furrowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t need to know who his donor is!\u201d James added.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut isn\u2019t it illegal?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Ashley, it\u2019s not illegal. Let\u2019s see if Mr. Carson could be a donor for Andrew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAshley, please,\u201d James grabbed her arm. \u201cI want Andrew to live a long, healthy life\u2026and be happy with you and the kids. Just give me this one chance to help him. I\u2019m not asking for anything more. Just this. Once the surgery is done, I\u2019ll leave. I\u2019ll not disturb him ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although reluctant and unsure of the consequences, Ashley agreed. \u201cAlright, let\u2019s get the tests done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fortunately, James was a perfect match. Mr. Mullins told Andrew they had found a donor. Surprisingly, Andrew didn\u2019t even question and only thanked the \u201canonymous donor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the surgery, Andrew was discharged from the hospital 15 days later. As time wore on, his stats improved, and there were no signs of organ rejection.<\/p>\n
A few more weeks passed. Andrew felt like a new man and was getting ready to return to work. But he was worried about Ashley.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney, I\u2019m perfectly fine now,\u201d Andrew approached Ashley. \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear what Dr. Mullins told us when we visited the other day?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope everything goes well, Andrew,\u201d Ashley said as she grabbed the mail stack on the coffee table. \u201cI\u2019ll just sort these things.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, let me do it for you!\u201d Andrew insisted. As he grabbed the papers, he swore suddenly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother letter? This man can\u2019t take a hint. Why can\u2019t he just leave us alone?\u201d Andrew hissed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you talking about your father?\u201d Ashley asked Andrew.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho else? He\u2019s sent another letter. It\u2019s some weeks old. But who cares? It goes right to the trash!\u201d Andrew was about to toss the envelope in the bin when Ashley rose to her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWAIT! DON\u2019T THROW IT\u2026.\u201d she yelled. \u201cREAD IT!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell? Stop screaming at me, Ash\u2026you almost gave me a heart attack! And read this stupid letter? No way\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHE\u2019S THE DONOR, ANDREW. YOUR FATHER IS THE DONOR!\u201d Ashley blurted out, freezing Andrew in his tracks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWHAT??\u201d Andrew slowed down in shock. \u201cH-How did that happen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI promised to keep it a secret. But I can\u2019t anymore. I\u2019m sorry for not telling you. Your dad\u2026he visited some weeks ago. And donated his kidney when he learned you needed a donor and couldn\u2019t find one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew couldn\u2019t process the revelation and scooted closer to Ashley. \u201cIt\u2019s okay\u2026I understand. It\u2019s okay. Not your fault. If I had known he was the donor, I would\u2019ve probably rejected it\u2026because I still can\u2019t forgive him,\u201d he said, wrapping his arms around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. But we all make mistakes. Your dad has been paying the price for his mistake for a long time. I think it\u2019s time to let go of his mistakes and forgive him.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a long thought, Andrew hugged Ashley. \u201cMaybe you\u2019re right. But I won\u2019t write him a letter. I\u2019ll go see him in person.\u201d<\/p>\n
So they immediately hopped into their car and drove off to meet James.<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s fist pounded on his father\u2019s door, but there was no answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cDad\u2026open up. It\u2019s me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Moments later, a shrill voice interrupted from behind. \u201cHey, what are you doing there?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew turned around and saw an older woman in gardening clothes approaching him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I was loud. This is my father\u2019s house\u2026and I came to see him,\u201d Andrew said, descending the porch steps.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re James\u2019 son?\u201d the woman asked, raising her eyebrows. \u201cYou don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKnow what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJames passed away,\u201d the woman said. \u201cI heard he got an infection from surgery and was admitted to the hospital. He died a few days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
For years, Andrew thought his dad\u2019s passing wouldn\u2019t matter. For years, he grieved for his mother, telling himself she was his only parent. That emptiness could never be matched. But the void left in his heart that day told another story.<\/p>\n
When Andrew was ready to forgive his dad and start a new chapter of their lives, his dad was gone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m too late\u2026\u201d he broke into tears.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
James writes letters to his estranged son, but no answer arrives for years. One day, his son Andrew sends a picture with a message demanding James stop trying to make contact. Unable to hold himself back, James drives to his son\u2019s house to meet him, only to discover that Andrew might not live for long. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22851"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22858,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22851\/revisions\/22858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}