As long as I’m breathing, she’ll never set foot over that threshold, said my father, staring at my fiancée.
Don’t raise your voice at me! I’m your mother!
And you stay out of my life! I’m thirty, mum!
Stephen stood in the kitchen, face flushed with anger. Margaret sat at the table, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. John kept silent, watching the rain through the window.
I’m not intruding, I just want to understand, Mother sniffed. Why won’t you tell us anything? We’re your parents!
Because you’ll object anyway! As always!
We only want what’s best for you, son.
You want me to live the way you decided! I’m tired of it!
Stephen snatched his jacket and slammed the flat door. He descended the stairs and stepped out into the cold November gust that bit his cheeks, oddly refreshing after the stale air inside. He walked straight ahead, no detours, phone buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out a message from Emily.
Hey, sunshine.
Hey. How’s it going? Did you manage to?
Stephen sighed.
Not yet. Mum started nagging about my job again, saying I earn too little and should’ve gone to university. We argued.
Stephen, you promised you’d tell them about us today.
I know. I’ll say it tomorrow. Promise.
Youve been saying that for a week.
Emily, you have to understand. They’re meticulous. Mum will immediately question who you are, where you’re from, what you do. And Dad will just stare, stonecold.
I’m not scared of their looks, Emily’s voice trembled with hurt. I’m scared youre embarrassed by me.
What? Emily, how could you!
What am I supposed to think? We’ve been together half a year and you haven’t mentioned me to your parents.
I will. Tomorrow, I swear.
They said goodbye. Stephen slipped the phone back into his pocket and kept walking. Emily was right; he was buying time, terrified of his parents’ reaction, especially his father’s.
John was a tough old soldier, retired, strict and sparing with words. Since childhood, Stephen remembered that hard stare that made the room feel colder. Margaret could argue, explain, be reasoned. With John, never. He just handed down verdicts, no discussion.
That night Stephen returned home late. His parents were already asleep. He slipped into his room, undressed, and lay down, tossing and turning, thoughts swirling.
Morning came early. He ate breakfast in silence while John read the newspaper and Margaret stirred a pot on the stove.
Mum, Dad, I need to tell you something, Stephen said.
John looked up from the paper. Margaret turned.
I’m seeing someone. Seriously seeing her. I want you to meet her.
Margaret clapped her hands delightedly.
Finally! I thought you’d never get married!
What’s her name? John asked.
Emily. She’s twentyseven, works as a sales assistant in a clothing shop. She’s lovely and kind.
Where’s she from? John pressed.
From our town, lives on Maple Street with her mum.
Surname?
Why do you need that, Mr. Peterson? Margaret interjected. Stephen says she’s a good girl.
I asked for the surname.
Stephen hesitated.
Brown. Emily Brown.
John froze. The newspaper slipped from his fingers, his face turning ashen.
What? he breathed.
Brown, Stephen repeated, bewildered. Dad, what’s wrong?
John rose slowly, every movement laboured, his gaze filled with pain that made Stephen’s stomach knot.
What’s her mother’s name?
Tanya.
John walked to the window, turned his back on the kitchen.
Michael, whats happening? Margaret approached, worry etched on her face. Do you know this girl?
Not the girl. Her mother.
Silence hung heavy. Stephen stared at his father, clueless.
Bring her over, John said without turning. Sunday. By noon.
Stephen wanted to ask why, but John already left the kitchen, the bedroom door snapping shut.
Mum, what was that?
Margaret looked pale, bewildered.
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Stephen called Emily, explained his father’s odd reaction. She listened quietly.
Maybe he knew my mum? she guessed.
Seems that way. But Mom says she knows nothing.
We’ll sort it out on Sunday.
Sunday arrived quickly. Stephen was as nervous as before a big exam. Emily arrived precisely at two oclock, in a blue dress, hair neatly gathered, radiant and calm.
Don’t worry, she said, squeezing his hand. Everything will be fine.
They climbed to the fourth floor. Stephen unlocked the door. Margaret met them in the hallway, flustered and excited.
Hello, Emily! Come in, come in!
Hello, Emily handed over a bouquet. For you.
Oh, how lovely! Thank you, dear!
They moved to the sittingroom. John sat rigid in his armchair, staring at a point on the wall. When he heard footsteps, he looked up and saw Emily. His face twisted.
As long as I’m alive, this woman will never cross my doorstep, he declared, standing slowly.
Margaret gasped. Stephen froze. Emily turned pale.
Dad, what are you saying? Stephen stepped forward.
She wont set foot in this house. Never.
Michael! Margaret grabbed his arm. What are you talking about? Shes my sons fiancée!
I dont care! Browns wont be in my home!
Emily stood motionless, tears glistening, but she held herself together.
Why? she asked softly. What have I done?
Not you. Your mother.
My mother? Do you know her?
Oh, I know her, John clenched his fists. And it would be better if you didnt.
Explain! Stephen shouted. Whats happening?!
John looked at his son.
Your aunts mother ruined my brothers family. Because of her he started drinking. He died at forty. Understand? He died!
Emily swayed. Stephen caught her.
Sit down, he helped her onto the sofa. Breathe.
I dont understand, she whispered. My mum never
Your mum kept many things hidden, John said, looming like a storm. She took a husband from a pregnant womanmy daughterinlaw! They split, Colin started drinking, she left him after six months for someone else.
Thats not true, Emily rose. My mum isnt like that!
Its true! I saw it with my own eyes! My younger brother Nicholas was like a son to me. She wrecked him!
Enough! Stephen intervened, standing between father and Emily. Even if its true, what does that have to do with Emily? Shes not responsible for her mothers choices!
The apple doesnt fall far from the tree.
Are you serious? Stephen couldnt believe his ears. Judging a person by their parents?
I know what Im saying.
No, you dont! Emilys wonderfulkind, honest, hardworking! I love her and Im going to marry her!
Johns face grew even paler.
Marry her and youll be out of this house forever.
Michael! Margaret sobbed. What are you doing?!
Ive made my decision. Theres no place for Browns here.
Emily grabbed her bag.
Lets go, Stephen. No point staying.
Emily
Please, lets leave.
They exited the flat, descended the stairs in silence. Only when they reached the street did Emily break down, sobbing. Stephen held her, patting her back, at a loss for words.
Forgive him. He doesnt know what hes saying.
Hes right, Emily sniffed. My mother really did have affairs. She told me she was young and foolish. I never imagined it would come back like this.
Dont dwell on it. Its the past, not yours, not even ours.
Maybe we shouldnt be together? If your dads so against it
Emily, look at me, Stephen took her face in his hands. I love you. I want to be with you. I couldnt care less about our families histories.
And yours?
Dad will calm down or not. Its his problem.
They walked to Emilys house. Her mother answered the door, surprised.
Youre back early! Something happened?
Emily explained. Her mother listened, her face turning ashen. When Emily finished, she sank onto a sofa, covering her face with her hands.
My God, I never imagined So many years have passed
Mum, is it true? About that man?
Tanya nodded.
Yes. I was twentytwo, working as a waitress. He came every day, handsome, attentive, saying he loved me. I fell for him. Then I learned he was married, his wife pregnant.
You didnt leave? Emily asked quietly.
I thought love justified everything. He left his wife for me, then started drinking, fighting. I got scared and ran back to my parents in the village, where I discovered I was pregnant with you.
And him?
I never saw him again.
He died, Stephen said. My father says his brother drank himself to death.
Tanya closed her eyes.
Lord Nicholas died
They sat in heavy silence as the clock ticked.
What now? Emily asked.
Keep living, her mother replied, opening her eyes. I cant change the past, but youre not to blame for my mistakes.
Your father wont see it that way, Stephen muttered bitterly.
Then Ill speak to him myself, Tanya said, standing. Its high time.
The next day Stephen ignored his parents calls. His mother kept begging him to come, saying his father couldnt eat or sleep. He refused. Stubbornness ran in both their veins. Weeks passed, and his mother called daily.
Stephen, Dads not sleeping, hes not eating. Come talk.
Let him apologise to Emily.
You know him. He never apologises.
Then theres nothing to discuss.
One evening, while Stephen was at Emilys, the doorbell rang. Tanya opened it to find John standing there. They stared silently, then John removed his hat.
Hello, Tanya.
Hello, Michael.
May I come in?
Tanya stepped aside. John entered, saw Stephen and Emily on the sofa.
Dad? Stephen stood.
Sit down. Im here to talk.
John sat heavily. The room held its breath.
Thirty years ago, my brother Colin fell in love with a girl named Tanya. She worked in a cafe. He visited her like it was his job. I told him to pull back; his wife was pregnant. He ignored me. He left his wife, I didnt forgive him. We fell out, and he began drinking, eventually dying of liver cirrhosis at forty.
Tanya kept her head down.
I blamed you, Tanya, thinking you were the cause of everything. I hated you. Now
He lifted his gaze to Tanya.
I realise it was Colins choices, not yours. You took him, knowing he was married. Im sorry.
Im also at fault, Tanya whispered. I was wrong too.
Youre sorry to his wife, not to me. I judged you, and I judged your daughter for nothing.
John turned to Emily.
Forgive me, girl. I was wrong. Youre good, I see that. Stephen wouldnt have gotten involved with a bad person.
Emily stayed quiet, tears streaming, but she didnt wipe them.
Im not asking for instant forgiveness, John continued. I know Ive hurt you. Give me a chance, a fresh start.
I hold no grudge, Emily said, wiping her cheeks. Really.
Smart girl, John stood. Tanya, forgive me too. Ive held onto this for years; I should have let go.
Tanya embraced him.
I forgave you long ago, Michael. I cant forgive myself yet.
Forgive yourself. Were all human, we all mess up.
They stood, hugging, two older souls bearing heavy pasts. Stephen watched his father and, for the first time, saw genuine remorse.
Lets go home, son, John said. Mums waiting. And you, Emily, come along. Dinners probably getting cold.
Its not, Emily laughed. Your mum surely put it in the oven so it stays warm.
John smiled.
Right you are. Shes clever. Stephens lucky.
They all returned to Stephens parents together. Margaret burst into tears of joy, hugging everyone in turn, laughing through sobs.
At dinner they talked about everything and nothing: Stephens job, future plans, the upcoming wedding. Emily described her shop, Margaret asked eager questions. John spoke less, but when he did, it was respectful, asking Emilys opinion and nodding.
When they left, Emily gave John a hug.
Thank you for giving us a chance.
Thank you for forgiving an old stubborn fool.
Youre not a fool. You just loved my brother.
John nodded, turning away. Stephen saw a flicker of emotion in his fathers eyes, the first time hed ever seen him cry.
Outside, Emily took Stephens hand.
Your dads a good man.
I know. Hes just a bit rigid.
But he can admit hes wrong. Thats priceless.
They walked through the evening streets, hands intertwined, wedding on the horizon, a shared life ahead, perhaps children someday. The future lay before them, while the past stayed where it belonged in the past.
The wedding took place three months later in a cosy café, about thirty guests, families and friends. Michael Peterson gave a toast about forgiveness, about life being too short for grudges, about loves strength.
Tanya wept, Margaret wept, the women at the table all cried. Stephen looked at Emily, his wife, and thought how glad hed ignored his fathers warning back then, how glad hed stood his ground.
Sometimes you have to swim against the current to find your own happiness. And that happiness is worth any battle.
