Golden light and laughter filled the enormous ballroom. Every table had white roses and gentle music. With champagne glasses in hand, guests smiled to match the occasion.<\/p>\n
Today was Matthew\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n
He was in the middle of it all in a deep maroon suit with a twisted golden tie and excited eyes. Everything was painstakingly planned\u2014this was his happiest day.<\/p>\n
One guest Matthew didn\u2019t expect or want.<\/p>\n
An elderly man gently entered from the entryway, tapping his white cane. Long gray beard, elbow-worn jacket. He couldn\u2019t see the magnificent d\u00e9cor or the shocked individuals around him through his foggy eyes.<\/p>\n
It was his father, James.<\/p>\n
Clinching his jaw, Matthew<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d he thundered across the room.<\/p>\n
Curious guests turned. Others became quiet.<\/p>\n
James halted, sensing his son. \u201cMatthew,\u201d he began softly, \u201cI\u2019m sorry I came without an invitation. Just wishing you well. My gift to you\u2026<\/p>\n
A little velvet box was held out with quivering hands.<\/p>\n
It was rejected by Matthew. His voice increased.<\/p>\n
I told you not to come! You would shame me in public! See you\u2014this isn\u2019t your place. You\u2019re not welcome!\u201d<\/p>\n
The room froze.<\/p>\n
James stood frozen, his smile dimming. \u201cI understand,\u201d he whispered. I just wanted my son to be happy. I didn\u2019t mean to cause trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew raged and pointed to the door. \u201cLeave.\u201d<\/p>\n
James bowed. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Slowly tapping his cane, he turned toward the exit.<\/p>\n
No one attempted to stop him.<\/p>\n
Matthew grew up impoverished.
\nJames, blind from a working accident, reared him alone when his mother died when he was eight. They survived in a small, creaking house on government assistance and James\u2019s part-time radio repair work.<\/p>\n
Though blind, James never left Matthew hungry. He cooked by touch and smell, escorted him to school by memory, and told him stories by candlelight. To get Matthew new school shoes, he wore the same coat for five winters. After Matthew received a college scholarship, James sold his final equipment to help him move into the dorm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d James said. \u201cMy biggest reward is knowing you\u2019ll live better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew did.<\/p>\n
He studied well, obtained a corporate position, and advanced. He became a manager, acquired a car, and moved into a high-rise apartment, separating himself from his impoverished upbringing.<\/p>\n
While meeting Claire, the daughter of an affluent family, he told his parents had died.<\/p>\n
He regretted the truth.<\/p>\n
His last visit to James was about two years ago. He occasionally gave money but never called or wrote. He excluded James from his wedding planning.<\/p>\n
Matthew couldn\u2019t sleep in his honeymoon suite after the wedding. Claire was in bed with her hair in a bun and makeup off.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay?\u201d she questioned.<\/p>\n
He nodded. \u201cJust tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
The way his father handled the silk box kept coming to mind. How he quietly left without protest.<\/p>\n
Chest constricted.<\/p>\n
He up, went to the table, and took the box from his coat pocket. He forgot he had it. He opened it slowly.<\/p>\n
An ancient gold watch was within.<\/p>\n
Nothing special. An old, scratched watch.<\/p>\n
A note.<\/p>\n
To Matthew, my son. I can\u2019t give you much. This watch was your grandfather\u2019s. I stayed strong after losing my sight. I wish you strength, time, and love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew sat in a chair, crying.<\/p>\n
He sent Claire a note and drove three hours to his hometown the next morning.
\nAs he remembered, the streets were quiet, cracked, and lined with little cottages. He stopped at the familiar cottage. Still standing despite flaking paint and roof sagging.<\/p>\n
He knocked.<\/p>\n
No reply.<\/p>\n
He tested the handle. Cracked open.<\/p>\n
Inside, everything was tidy. The table had the same radio. The bed was made, kettle heated. James was absent.<\/p>\n
Panic ensued.<\/p>\n
He phoned neighbors. Mrs. Collins, an elderly woman, stated James went for the graveyard that morning.<\/p>\n
Matthew drove immediately.<\/p>\n
Found him.<\/p>\n
James sat on a bench by his wife\u2019s gravesite. He faced his unattainable flowers.<\/p>\n
Matthew approached slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
James turned<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2014I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d Matthew choked. \u201cI was ashamed. I wanted to fit in where you didn\u2019t belong. I was mistaken. I forgot who I was after you gave me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was quiet.<\/p>\n
So he opened his arms.<\/p>\n
Matthew kneeled and hugged his dad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should never have turned you away,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n
James smiled through tears. \u201cSon, it\u2019s never too late.\u201d<\/p>\n
James married his son a year later.<\/p>\n
In a garden with friends, family, and neighbors, not a ballroom. Claire stood by Matthew, heartened by his transformation. The gold watch ticked quietly in James\u2019 pocket as he wore his new jacket from Matthew.<\/p>\n
Love, once remembered, heals all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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