The Story Teller

The Note

Looking up from his seat in the front row, Danny was still amazed at how huge the church is. From the outside it looked more like a Cathedral from the Vatican than a church for a small town of two thousand people. The church is actually the oldest building still standing in the community. It's a beacon of hope, a safe haven, for those who need to be saved.

Today the church was packed. Nearly everyone in town was in attendance. Silence filled the room as Father Andrew stood up and slowly made his way to the podium. Father Andrew had retired from the priesthood fifteen years ago. His health was failing him and at age ninety, he was not expected to live much longer.

Father Daniels is the head priest of the church now but when Father Andrew informed Father Daniels that he wanted to perform the eulogy today, how could Father Daniels refuse. This is the first time since Father Andrew's retirement that he has come before the congregation to speak.

When I first met Henry he was seventeen. I had moved here with my son from Oakland, California. I was to be the new head priest. Henry was waiting here at the church for our arrival. He wanted to be the first one to welcome the new priest.

Henry was my first friend here in this new town. Everyone knew that was just the way Henry was, very outgoing. He was well known and well loved in this town. Everyone at one time or another came to Henry for help or advise just as much as they came here. Henry would never turn away anyone who truly needed him.

We will miss him. He lived a full life and was very blessed.

As Father Andrew continued with his eulogy Danny's mind began to drift. He could not bear the thought of Henry, his grandfather, lying still in a coffin. Danny's father had run off when Danny was only six months old. The only father Danny ever knew was his grandfather. Danny's mother passed away when he was ten. His grandparents became the only family Danny had left.

Henry use to take Danny for a walk everyday around the farm since Danny was three years old. It was their time together and no one else was allowed to share it.

Until Danny learned how to read Henry would retell a classic story. Pirate stories were Danny's favorite because Henry would act out the sword fighting scenes, making Danny laugh with excitement.

As Danny got older the conversations grew more serious. Henry would allow Danny to ask anything that was on his mind. No subject was off limits. Whatever they talked about out in the field stayed there. Most days Danny just wanted to hear about his grandfather's time in World War II. The places he went. The things he saw. The people he met.

When Danny turned fifteen Henry started teaching Danny what it took to be a real man, a gentleman. Henry taught Danny the importance of respecting his elders, treating a woman properly, being polite at all times, and showing manners. Henry told Danny that it was important to help those who truly needed help because it was the Lord who sent them to him for help in the first place.

It was the simple things in life that meant the most.

One day Danny told his grandfather that there was a girl he liked but her father did not like Danny. Plain and simple, the girl was from a rich family and Danny was not.

Henry started to laugh. Danny felt embarrassed. Danny had started to walk away when Henry grabbed his shoulder.

Boy I want to show you something.

Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. It was yellow in color and looked very fragile, signs of the age of the paper.

Your grandma wrote me this note the night before we got married. I have carried it with me every day of my life since then. I want you to read it.

Danny took the envelope from his grandfather's outstretched hand. He opened it carefully so as not to rip it. Danny pulled out a single sheet of paper. The letter was short but powerful.

When Danny had finished reading it he looked up at his grandfather with a puzzled expression. Danny did not understand why his grandfather was showing him this letter. Henry could see the question in his grandson's face.

I'm showing you this note because I know what you're going through. See, your grandma came from a nice home. Her daddy too had money. Most of it had come from prohibition. Supplying illegal booze to people was a money maker back then.

Henry took the note back from Danny and folded it up. He put it back in his pocket and placed his arm around his grandson's shoulder.

Your grandma's daddy didn't like me one bit. I didn't care about what he thought because I was madly in love with your grandma, still am. She felt the same way about me, still does too. Nothing else really matters after that. We vowed nothing would ever keep us apart, not even death.

"So if you really like this girl and she likes you in return then that is the only thing in this world that matters. Don't ever let anyone stop you, not even yourself. If it's meant to be then love will blossom and grow. Don't ever force it either or it will die."

Danny looked over at his wife as the memory of his grandfather's words echoed in his ears. His grandfather was right too, love did grow. Danny felt blessed to have someone to love as much as his grandparents loved each other.

Tiffany felt her husband staring at her and smiled to herself. She turned to give him a kiss on the cheek.

You'll be fine, Tiffany whispered, just speak from your heart.

Huh?

Sweetie, everyone's waiting for you to say a few words.

Danny looked up again and seen that Father Andrew was done with his eulogy and had sat back down. Father Daniels was standing at the podium now with an outstretched arm toward Danny.

Danny stood up slowly and made his way to the podium. He was not sure what he was going to say. Danny took a deep breath and then, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Danny knew what to say.

The doctors say my grandfather died from heart failure. No one wants to believe that because at eighty years old my grandfather could wrestle a twenty-year-old and still come out on top. My grandfather was very strong for his age.

"But I have to tell you that the doctors were only half right. My grandfather did die from heart failure but just not like everyone thinks."

See my grandfather use to say to me the only thing that could kill him was a broken heart. And the only way he could have a broken heart was if he lost his beloved Gina.

Two weeks ago we were all in this very same place to bury my grandmother, Gina. During the past two weeks my grandfather was making sure everything was being taken care of in his will. He knew he was leaving.

The morning he passed away he gave me something special. This was his way of saying goodbye to me and I knew that at last he was at peace. He had fulfilled his vow to his wife.

Danny reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an old envelope.

My grandfather carried this note everyday of his life since the day he received it. He showed it to me once when I needed it most. If not for this note I would never have been able to marry my lovely wife. I'd like to share it with you now.

"My dearest love,

I am so sorry for my father's behavior. He had no right to speak to you in that manner. I don't care what anyone says, tonight at sixteen years old you were more of a man than my father was.

I realized then, at that moment, when you did not fight back with my father how much I love you.

I decided that yes, I will marry you. I don't care what my father says or does to me as long as we are together.

Meet me at the old oak tree tomorrow at noon. If you get there before I do, don't give up my love, I'll be there. Nothing will ever keep us from being together. Not even death.

Tomorrow I start my new life as Mrs. Henry Lomus. I thank God he put you in my life.

Love you always,

Gina."

TC

Memories

Danny pulled into the gravel driveway leading up to his grandparent's house, his childhood home. Danny pulled the car up to the barn door. As he put the car in park, Danny looked up to the basketball hoop hanging just above the barn door.

The ride home had been filled with silence. Danny had not spoken a word since he gave his eulogy for his grandfather. Tiffany wished she knew what to say to make her husband feel better. Losing his grandmother had been hard. Losing his grandfather and best friend just two weeks later, well, she could only imagine his pain.

Honey you don't have to be here, Tiffany said softly. My brothers and I can take care of the packing.

Danny had been staring inside the blackness of the barn. Danny could see his grandfather shoveling hay around. He was not even breaking a sweat as he shoveled quickly.

Chores have to be done boy, his grandfather said as Danny watched, sitting on a pail. They may not be something you want to do but they still have to be done, no getting around it. The quicker you get it done, the quicker you can do something else. Don't fight what you have to do boy, just get it done.

Danny smiled. Even from beyond the grave his grandfather was giving him life lessons.

No, I'll come in, Danny said turning to his wife. I have a job to do and I'm going to do it.

Tiffany leaned over and kissed Danny. Sweet, passionate, silently telling Danny that she will be by his side, always.

I love you, Danny said, kissing Tiffany this time. I love you with all my heart.

You better, Tiffany smiled, you married me. That means you're stuck with me for life.

Don't remind me, Danny responded, rolling his eyes.

It has been an ongoing joke that began on their wedding day. The judge pronounced them man and wife. They kissed and Danny said he loved Tiffany. You better, the judge said laughing, You're married now. That means you're stuck together for life. The judge's wife rolled her eyes and responded, Don't remind me.

Danny and Tiffany laughed and always used it as their own private joke.

Danny took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had not been back to the house since the morning his grandfather died. The church was having a wake, serving food and allowing the congregation to share their memories of Henry but Danny did not want to go. Danny could not stand any more people telling him how sorry they were for his loss.

Danny opened his door and got out of the car. Tiffany got out and waited for Danny to come around to her side. They walked hand in hand down the driveway to the front porch. As they walked up the stairs Danny remembered the first time they had done this.

The chain squeaked as the wind rocked the swinging porch bench. Danny looked over and saw his grandparents sitting in the swing, sipping on fresh homemade lemonade.

Grandma, grandpa, I got great news, Danny said excitingly as he rushed up the stairs. Tiffany felt her arm was about to be ripped out of its socket. She was excited and nervous at the same time.

Danny where have you been all day, his grandmother scolded, You missed your appointment with that college recruiter.

I know grandma, Danny answered, still trying to catch his breath, I'm sorry.

Sorry don't cut it boy, Danny's grandfather said angrily. You said you were gonna be here and you wasn't. There's no excuse.

I'll make it up to you both but I have something important to tell you.

Who is this young lady, his grandmother asked, barely noticing Tiffany.

Grandma, grandpa, I want you to meet my wife Tiffany.

"Your wife," they whispered in unison. His grandparents had a shocked look on their faces. They were studying their grandson's face for any sign that this was a joke. This was no joke.

His grandmother broke the ice by standing up and walking toward Tiffany, spreading her arms wide. Welcome to the family, she said hugging Tiffany.

Danny let out a breath he had been holding and smiled. Danny's biggest fear was his grandparent's reaction. Danny looked over at his grandfather who was getting up out of the swing.

I hope you know what you're doing, is all he said to his grandson. Tiffany, come on inside and see your new home. Dinner is in one hour.

* * * *

Honey, the keys, Tiffany asked.

Danny was back in the present as the image of his grandparents walking into the house with Tiffany faded into nothing.

I'm sorry, Danny whispered.

Danny reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the keys to the house.

Are you okay, Tiffany asked, worried about her husband.

Yea. I'm just remembering the first time you and I walked up these steps together.

You mean running don't you, Tiffany asked playfully.

Oh yea, Danny answered smiling. How's your arm by the way?

After ten years, I guess its fine now.

Tiffany squeezed Danny's hand. Tiffany knew Danny had been having flashbacks since his grandmother died. It was understandable. Danny had been around his grandmother everyday of his life until he left for college.

Tiffany knew there was nothing she could say or do to take away her husband's pain. The only thing she could do was to be patient and let Danny know she was there for support.

Danny opened the door. Tiffany stepped past him and walked over to the light switch. Danny stood inside the doorway.

"You can do