Jonathan's Promise

by Hans M Hirschi

  “This is a lovely house,” Jonathan complimented.

  “Thank you. It used to be my grandparents’ house. Mom inherited it when my grandmother passed away, and she let me live here. When she died, this all became mine—house, gardens, beautiful views of the seashore. If I’d known, I would’ve contacted you all. Actually, Dan must’ve been born here.”

  Once they were all in the living room, Mary indicated the sofa for them to sit down while she took her seat in an old reclining chair.

  “Well, gentlemen,” she began, “that’s quite a story you told me this morning. I hadn’t heard my uncle’s name in decades. My grandparents never spoke of him, and my mom only mentioned him after they’d both passed away. Now Mom’s gone, too, and Uncle Dan…” Mary smiled sadly.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Jonathan replied. “But if you’ll allow me to first introduce you to your cousin—or second cousin, to be exact—Parker.” Jonathan gestured to Parker and then Cody. “And this is his fiancé, Cody. Parker’s my daughter Jeanette’s firstborn. She has four children, Parker, Daniel, Louise and Paul Jr.—junior on account of her husband’s name being Paul as well.

  “Your other cousin is Rick, Jeanette’s older brother. He’s married to Rachel, and they have two kids, Dennis and Jonathan Jr.—that’s on account of me still being around…” Jonathan laughed. “My namesake recently—at Dan’s funeral, in fact—told us he and his girlfriend Emilie are about to become parents. Our family is growing. Would you like to see some pictures?”

  Mary nodded. “I’d love to. Sadly, it seems that the Maine branch of the family is all but dying out. My Uncle John died at sea before he had a chance to get married, and I’m an only child. I’ve never found the one for me.” While she spoke, Jonathan began to show her family photographs on his vid-phone.

  “This is one we took last Christmas, at the house. This is your Uncle Dan, this is our son Rick, and our daughter Jeanette. This is Rachel, and this is Paul, and the kids.”

  “You have a handsome family. I can’t believe my luck.” Mary sighed happily. “What a wonderful shock it was this morning to receive your call. It was so out of the blue. I had no idea. I guess it was naïve of me to believe Uncle Dan was dead—I never once in my life entertained the idea that he might have married and had children.”

  Jonathan nodded thoughtfully. “We were fortunate. I inherited money after my mother’s passing that allowed us to undergo the procedures to adopt Rick and to have Jeanette. She’s Dan’s biological daughter through a surrogate mother.”

  Mary looked at the picture of Jeanette and shook her head. “I can see the resemblance to my mom. It’s almost uncanny. But tell me, why did Uncle Dan never contact us? I’m sure my mother would’ve loved to meet him again. The last time she mentioned him was after my grandfather’s death, and she seemed very upset with the way he’d been treated. Did he ever tell you what happened, or why he left?”

  Jonathan shook his head regretfully. “Unfortunately not. I asked him, but he refused to talk about his family, and I let it go. Maybe I should’ve pressed him harder, but you know what it’s like. You meet, you fall in love and you make promises, and then life sort of happens and all of a sudden it’s been ten, twenty, thirty years and you forget. After he died…” Jonathan paused to gather his thoughts. “It’s why we came here, to learn why he never spoke of his family. We never thought we’d find you…” Jonathan’s voice trailed, and Parker picked up.

  “We learned why Granddad had to leave Winter Harbor yesterday. We met with Mr. Bensen at the retirement home, and he told us what happened. I presume you’ve heard the story?”

  Mary looked surprised. “No, this is the first I’ve heard of it. We were told Uncle Dan had run away from home. Please, what did old Jack tell you?”

  “Mr. Bensen said he and Granddad were in love, and they were caught by John. Your grandparents made Dan leave for boarding school, Mr. Bensen thinks. But since you don’t know anything else, I guess that’s as much as we’ll ever know.”

  “I see,” Mary said, her astonishment still evident. “This is all news to me, but I suppose I’m not really surprised. My grandfather was a very severe person, used to getting his way, and our family was accustomed to running things around town. To this day, there are people who fear me because I’m a Jackson, which is ridiculous. I’m just an old spinster on crutches and hardly capable of inflicting harm on anybody, unless I were to fall on someone…” She laughed at herself. “Too bad Uncle Dan never told you his side of the story. I wonder why he kept it a secret all these years?”

  “I guess we’ll never know,” Jonathan said.

  “Maybe…” Cody frowned in thought. “Maybe it’s because of you, Grandpa.”

  Jonathan looked at Cody with surprise. “What do you mean?”

  “Remember when you told me about how you and Dan met? How you’d barely survived after your parents abandoned you in the forest? Maybe Dan didn’t want to burden you with his story, because it wasn’t that different. Maybe he wanted to protect you from harm.”

  Jonathan looked at Cody, and shook his head: “Wow, that is quite a theory, young man, but yes. Maybe that was why. Dan was always very protective of me. He cried, when I told him about my adventures in the forest before I stumbled upon the cabin. I guess I won’t know until I meet him on the other side… One thing’s for sure, we’ll have a lot to talk about.”

  The exchange had peaked Mary’s curiosity, and Jonathan had to recount the story of how he had met Dan, all those decades ago, how he’d barely survived the many days alone in the forest, and how he, with his last strength, had struggled on toward the light he’d seen. He’d knocked on the door of that cabin in the clearing by the lake.

  Mary cried as she listened to the story, just as most people did when they heard it. When Jonathan was done, she said, “Yes, my dear friend, I think that is exactly why Uncle Dan never told you. Who in their right mind would burden an eighteen-year-old who suffered through so much with their own story?”

  Jonathan shrugged. “He could’ve told me later on. But oh well, it is what it is. Let’s not dwell on the past. We have found family today, and that’s cause for celebration.”

  The four of them spent the rest of the day together, sharing memories, photos and videos. Mary cooked them lunch, and the Jacksons from Chicago and their cousin from Winter Harbor began to forge a family bond. By four o’clock, Mary was exhausted, and the men took their leave, but they promised to stay in touch and to include her, to the best of her physical abilities, in future family events.

  The next day, Parker booked them on a return flight to Chicago. They had achieved more than they could ever have hoped. They may not have found all the answers to Dan’s past, but his great character was reaffirmed, and they had found a living relative in Mary. All in all, it had been a great trip but they were ready to go home.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 8 - A Wedding and a Baby

  Back in Chicago, time passed. The family celebrated Christmas at Jonathan’s house, and February soon came around, bringing with it the birth of baby Jessica: Jonathan’s first great-grandchild. For the first time since Dan had passed away, Jonathan was happy—truly happy to still be alive. Jessica reminded him so much of Jeanette, and of how he and Dan had struggled to have their second child.

  After the nightmare of Rick’s adoption, they’d decided to have a second child through surrogacy, but finding a surrogate wasn’t the easiest thing. They wanted to make sure the surrogate wasn’t the biological mother, which also required finding a suitable egg donor. In the end, everything had worked out, and Jonathan remembered, as clearly as if it were yesterday, the moment when Missy, their surrogate, delivered a healthy baby girl, and placed her in their arms.

  They’d been over the moon, and eager to take her home and present her to Rick, who had stayed with Parker and Dennis while his parents were in the hospital. Their family was perfect. Every time Jonathan saw a baby, whether it was his own grandchildren or
other people’s children, it took him back to the day Jeanette was born. I guess some memories just stay with you. Good ones and bad ones.

  In spring, Jonathan Jr. and Emilie tied the knot in the park behind Jonathan’s house. It was a bright, warm day in May, the sun was shining, and the entire Jackson clan was assembled—Jonathan had made sure to fly in Cousin Mary from Maine. It was the first time she’d meet the family, and Jonathan had refused to take no for an answer.

  Emilie’s family and her grandmother were also there, along with friends from university and people from the various charities that the Foundation worked with.

  Jonathan Jr. sported a black tuxedo, while Emilie wore an elegant, eggshell-colored dress that complemented her pale complexion and lithe figure. Their guests were dressed in lighter-toned, coordinating summer clothes, and the mayor had insisted to officiate at the wedding.

  “Welcome to this auspicious day! Emilie, Jonathan, my friends, thank you for bestowing the honor of marrying you, upon me. Dear families, friends, and guests, welcome! I am deeply honored to stand here before you, before this couple. I’ve known Dan and Jonathan for many years, and it’s my privilege to be their friend. They’ve done so much for this city that we are forever in their debt. To officiate their grandson’s wedding is a great pleasure, and I’m sure Daniel is smiling upon us right now. Shall we begin?

  “Dearly beloved. We are gathered here on this beautiful sunny day to witness the joining of Jonathan Jackson Jr. and Emilie Richardson in marriage. The couple have prepared separate vows to each other, which we’ll hear in a moment, but before we do, allow me to share a few thoughts on marriage with you.

  “Love is the greatest gift bestowed upon us. It allows us to forge bonds that last for a lifetime and beyond. It is the love between Dan and Jonathan that has created this family, and it is love that has brought Jonathan Jr. and Emilie together.” With a smile, the mayor glanced over at their daughter, Jessica, in her stroller, enjoying a well-deserved nap.

  “But love is more than that. Love is also labor, hard work, and a commitment to one another. It is not for nothing that we often use the words ‘in sickness and in health,’ or ‘for richer and poorer’ in our wedding ceremonies. Dear couple, as you stand here before me, please remember that your love will be tested, time and time again. There will be those who will doubt you, some will tempt you, and there will be times when you doubt each other. But if you are true to each other, and if you work hard, you will persevere, your love and respect for each other will grow, and your relationship will be so much stronger. I wish you all the very best for the future, your future, together.

  “Jonathan, do you take Emilie to be your lawful wife?”

  “I do.”

  “Emilie, do you take Jonathan to be your lawful husband?”

  “I do.”

  “Very well. I understand you have prepared vows you would like to read to each other? Jonathan, why don’t you begin?”

  Jonathan blushed as he unfolded a piece of paper, and began to read. “Emilie, my love, my life. Ever since we met, you have been the sunshine of my life. To wake up beside you makes me smile in the morning. To lie down next to you each night brings me peace of mind. I thought you were the best thing that could ever happen to me. Then our daughter was born, and I gained an entirely new appreciation for you, and our family.

  “I love you with all my heart and promise to be at your side, no matter what the future holds for us. Please accept this ring as a token of my oath, to be reminded of it, every time you look at it.” Jonathan took the wedding band from his best man and placed it on Emilie’s finger.

  Emilie had tears in her eyes and struggled to form coherent words as it was her turn to speak. “Jonathan. I can’t begin to say what it means to me to have met you. You’re always there for me, you’re funny, you’re smart, and you’re the best dad ever. You see in me what no one else has seen, and I want to be the best person, just for you, every day. To be with you is to be in the sun, yet without being harmed. To be with you is like being in a warm rain, without getting wet. Your love is like a blanket in which I wrap myself, and I will never want to unwrap myself again. I love you from the bottom of my heart. Please accept this ring as a token of my love for you, may it forever remind you of our bond.” Emilie placed the ring on Jonathan’s ring finger.

  The Mayor resumed. “What a wise couple. It gives me the greatest pleasure to pronounce this man and this woman husband and wife, by the powers vested in my by the state of Illinois. May you live happily ever after! You are now welcome to seal your union with a kiss.”

  Behind the couple, the guests got up from their seats and applauded as Jonathan and Emilie joined in a passionate kiss.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, the couple have chosen their family name. I give you Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan and Emilie Richardson!” The couple turned to greet their families and friends, and quickly disappeared in a heap of hugs.

  Jonathan looked at his grandson and smiled. His namesake was the first of his grandchildren to get married. Dennis had yet to find a partner, Parker and Cody were in no rush to seal their union, and the other kids were still too young. I may not even be around, if they ever do get married.

  The party was a great success. Jonathan had made sure that he and Mary were sitting next to each other, so he could gently introduce her to his family. At the end of the day, he went over to his grandson and granddaughter-in-law to hand them a little surprise.

  “I promised I’d send you off on a little honeymoon, so here you go. I hope you have your passports with you, because there’s a car waiting outside to whisk you off.”

  “Where to, grandpa?” Jonathan Jr. wanted to know.

  “Oh, you’ll see when you get there…” Jonathan smiled mischievously. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now would it? Enjoy, now go get changed. The car is waiting.”

  “What about Jessica?” Emilie asked.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll make sure she’s waiting in the car for you.” Jonathan chuckled. “You didn’t think you’d get to go on your honeymoon without your daughter, did you?”

  The young couple left the wedding party, leaving their mothers behind in tears of joy and the rest of the guests ready for more eating, drinking, and dancing.

  Parker came up to Jonathan. “Where did you send them to?”

  Jonathan smiled secretively. “You’ll find out if and when they send a postcard.”

  He sat down next to Mary again, who was moved by the spirit of the event. “What a beautiful family you have, Jonathan. You must be very proud.”

  “I am indeed, and I’m glad to be here to witness it. When you get to be my age, you mostly get to go to these large gatherings at funerals. Dan and I have lost so many close friends over the years. Dennis and Parker—our family lawyer and his partner—were the first to go. The kids were still quite young, and it was hard on us. I lost both my parents before I was nineteen, and Dan…well, you know all about that. It’s such a shame he never told me. Who knows, maybe we could’ve gotten to know his parents.”

  “You’re still thinking about that?”

  “I can’t help it. What if he sacrificed the relationship with his family just because of me? What if Cody was right?”

  “I’m not so sure. Cody’s interpretation may have been correct, but I doubt Dan could’ve rekindled his relationship with his parents. My grandfather was a really hard man, and once he’d made up his mind, he would never change it, even if proven wrong. He was a really stubborn old mule. So even if Dan had told you, and you’d forced him back to Maine fifty or sixty years ago, his father wouldn’t have let him back into their lives, and that would’ve been the end of it.

  “He saved himself, and you, a lot of pain by doing what he did. I’m not even sure my mom would’ve been able to let him back into her life—at least not as long as my grandparents were still alive. She was too loyal to my grandfather. So all was as it should be. You should let it go. But I sure am glad you came to Maine last fal
l, and I’m the happiest person to have a family again. So thank you, Jonathan, for doing what you did.”

  Jonathan smiled at her. “Well, I’m glad something good came from that trip. And I think you’re right. It’s time I let this go. I just feel so bad for all the pain Dan must’ve suffered, pain he couldn’t share with me, that’s all.”

  “I know, dear, I know.”

  As their conversation came to an end, they were joined at the table by Rick, Rachel, Jeanette and Paul, and spent the rest of the evening sharing happier family memories and getting to know each other.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 9 - Restless

  Summer was drawing to a close, and it was the eve of the anniversary of Dan’s passing. With Jonathan’s eightieth birthday nearing, he felt as if he were falling into a chasm. He was glad Parker and Cody had moved in with him, to look after him, but also to have a place where they could live together.

  “What’s the matter, Grandpa?”

  “Oh, hi, Cody, I didn’t even hear you come in.”

  “I came home early. I was worried about you. Are you okay?”

  Jonathan squeezed the young man’s shoulder. “I’m just restless, that’s all. Tomorrow is the first anniversary of Dan’s death, and in a couple of months I’ll be eighty years old. I just wonder what I should be doing with the rest of my life, however much I’ve got left…”

  “Ah, I see. Well, I can’t answer that for you. Is there anything you want to do?”

  “Not sure. I mean I’d love to travel, see the world. Dan wasn’t a big traveler. But I’m too old to venture out there on my own. What if something happened?”

  “Who said you have to travel by yourself? I’m sure there are lots of other people who would love to travel. Have you asked Mary?”