While sorting through her late husband’s possessions, Meredith Arnold discovered an incomplete letter sent to an unidentified woman. She chose to face the other woman because she believed her husband was having an affair, but when she learned the real truth, she broke down in tears.
With tearful eyes, Meredith stood in front of a recently excavated grave. After her husband’s burial, everyone had left, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the newly turned earthen mound.
Justin, we were so happy together. I wish I could see you so I could give you another hug. Meredith’s thoughts strayed to her deceased spouse. When they were sixteen years old, they had their first encounter. Meredith had been persuaded by that first look that he was the one. They never separated after that, going on dates to restaurants and museums.
She loved Justin, and he was a loving spouse. Their incapacity to have children had been the one drawback to their blissful marriage, but their love for one another and their closeness had quickly filled the vacuum, and they were content—until Meredith received a call one terrible day telling her that her beloved husband had perished in an automobile accident.
After the funeral, the widow merely sat in front of the cemetery, reminiscing how lovely her 55-year marriage to her beloved husband had been. She grieved for hours, lamenting her terrible existence.
Meredith stepped into the home as the sun began to set and the darkness and cold took hold, gently making her way through her husband’s study, which was still filled with his wonderful scent.
Justin, why did this happen to us? Why does life treat us so unfairly? Meredith was crying uncontrollably as she surveyed the space. She sat in silence at the desk, where Justin would frequently work late into the night, recalling how she had reprimanded him for not giving her enough time. Subsequently, she silently pulled out the drawer holding his paperwork.
Oh, these awful files! She mulled, pulling each one out one at a time. You were busy with these. Yes, I see. How I hated them so much. To be honest though, Justin, I don’t mind if you work late. I just want you to come back, that’s all I want! The old woman started crying. Something at that moment drew her attention.
In one of the drawer’s corners was an ancient, partially torn, and crumpled piece of paper. Justin’s handwriting was found on an address that said, “Clara Bamford, 50 Oakland Ave, #206, Florida.” Curious, Meredith opened the letter and started to read.
“Dear Clara,” it started. I apologize, honey, for not being able to find time for you. Don’t worry, though; I’ll make sure we get together this weekend. I am very excited to see Sophia and you both. I’m hoping. and after that the letter’s words vanished.
After Meredith deleted the other files above the letter, she found several pictures of Justin with a small girl and a young lady. She briefly lost her bearings and gripped the study table’s corners firmly.
Justin, was this what you were doing when you traveled for work? Why did you act in this way? Why specifically? The elderly woman broke down in tears. A tap on the door brought her to a stop.
After wiping away her tears, Meredith discovered her friend Jessica waiting outside. Her eyes filled up once more, “Oh Jessica!” and she gave her a hug. “Justin…”He was.
“Meredith, calm down. It will all work out, I promise. Put down your tears.
No, Jess. Nothing will turn out alright. Justin.Jess, he was unfaithful to me!
Jessica’s gaze expanded. How come? Are you certain? Sweetheart, I doubt Justin would act in such a way. He cherished you.
“Jess, that’s what I thought. But have a look at this,” Meredith said, passing the incomplete letter she discovered in Justin’s drawer. But do you really think Justin wrote this? Perhaps he wrote it for someone else, though? That is a potential outcome. How do you feel?
I really hope that’s the case. However, come inside; there’s more. After guiding Jessica inside, Meredith showed her the pictures she had found.
“Oh my God, this is unbelievable! But Meredith, you really ought to look into why Justin did that. Why didn’t he get a divorce from you, even if he wanted to live with someone else? It’s a long time—55 years. Furthermore, he never struck me as the sort to cheat.
Like you, Jess, I find it hard to believe, but what if it’s true? And supposing he did deceive? Meredith became emotional.
“Honey, see the silver lining. But what if he didn’t? Don’t you think it would be awful to live a lifetime of doubting him?
I really hope I’m mistaken. I’m going to see her. But Meredith made a self-promise to herself, “I swear I’ll never forgive him if he was cheating on me.” She was flying to Florida the following day to look for the unidentified woman.
A young woman was there to greet Meredith and open the door for her. Meredith instantly identified her as the woman she had seen in the pictures. With a hint of irritation that she might be her husband’s mistress, Meredith said, “Are you Clara Bamford?” with gentleness.
“Yes, that is me,” the woman grinned. “May I inquire how you came to know my name?
“My name is Justin’s spouse. With anger bursting in her eyes, Meredith exclaimed, “I know you know who Justin Arnold is.” He lost his life in an automobile accident last week. You’re undoubtedly aware of it.
She suddenly noticed Clara’s eyes were filled with sorrow and anxiety. The mistress must be her. I have no doubt about it. Justin, I can’t believe you were so brazen! Meredith felt furious. But all of Clara’s doubts disappeared when she spoke.
“Oh my God. For me, he was a father figure. This is just amazing! I’m so sad for your loss, Mrs. Arnold.
Meredith’s gaze expanded. “Daddy figure?”
Indeed, Mrs. Arnold. Please enter the building. I’ll divulge everything to you.
Clara offered the elder woman tea and started giving her the entire story as soon as she got inside.
As it happens, Clara initially made the acquaintance of Justin when she was sixteen years old. Her stepfather threw her out of the house because he thought she was a bad omen after her mother passed away from a heart attack. She was regrettably expecting at the time, but her boyfriend wouldn’t accept parental responsibility.
Justin found her crying in the middle of the road on a wintry evening, a dejected woman who had almost given up on life. He provided food for her, assisted her in locating short-term lodging, and ultimately helped her reclaim her house from her stepfather.
“Mrs. Arnold, he was a really giving man. He frequently visited me after I gave birth to my daughter Sophia and assisted me in taking care of her. I’m really grateful to him,” Clara concluded.
Surprised, Meredith covered her mouth and felt guilty for criticizing her husband. “Oh my God. I ought not to have. However, the doorbell cut her off before she could say anything more.
Meredith watched little Sophia and a tall, middle-aged man walk into the house as Clara opened the door. “Oh, Tyler, sweetheart. Meet Mrs. Arnold, please. Clara introduced them. “And Mrs. Arnold, this is my husband Tyler.”
Are you the spouse of Justin Arnold? Yes, ma’am. Tyler joyfully exclaimed, “I was dying to meet you.
“Mr. Arnold passed away, sweetheart,” declared Clara. “I just found out from Mrs. Arnold.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry about your passing. Tyler remarked, “He really was a man with a big heart.” Tell us if you need any assistance. Mr. Arnold was really helpful to my wife. I’ll never be able to repay his generosity.
“I really appreciate that, Tyler and Clara. I’m happy we got to meet. I’ll take a break now, though. With a handshake and a phone number in hand, Meredith continued, “Please come and see me whenever you want.” “And bring Sophia along, please. She is quite cute.
Naturally, Mrs. Arnold. As the old woman left their house, Clara stated, “It was a joy meeting you.
During the week that followed, Meredith was making lunch when Clara called. They will be relocating shortly, she claimed, as Tyler’s job had relocated him to New York. They happily accepted Meredith’s invitation to temporarily stay at her house until moving into their apartment.
Tyler and Clara were never able to move into their new apartment, though. In a short time, Meredith won them over so much that they chose to stay with her. After years, it seemed as though Meredith had at last found the family she had always wanted when little Sophia started calling her Grandma Meredith.
As Meredith looked up at the stars and imagined her husband as the brightest star in the sky, she thought to herself, “I’m really happy, Justin.” “Honey, I wish you were here. Tyler, Sophia, and Clara have brought all the joy I had been lacking into my life. You should be here with us, please. But wherever you are, please find happiness. I cherish you!
What lessons may we draw from this tale?
Avoid drawing hasty conclusions. Meredith’s concerns were confirmed when she discovered that her husband had been faithful all along, thanks to Jessica’s suggestion that she look into the matter.
Family is not only based on blood; it can also be established on love and caring. This is demonstrated by the way Meredith and Clara’s families got along.