Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: MARRIAGE (08/25/16)
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TITLE: 'Til death... | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tiffanie Chezum
09/01/16 -
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The door swung open. “Russell?” A bespectacled old man peered through the dust laden screen.
Russell flinched at the unexpected greeting.
“Mandy didn’t say you were coming,” the man said. “Are we having dinner?”
“No, Mister Barnes.” The young man took a slow, deep breath. “Sir, Mandy…”
“Please,” the older man said. He opened the screen door. “Please come in and sit down. Is something wrong?”
“No, sir.” Russell stepped into the house. “Mandy doesn’t know I’m here.”
Mister Barnes gestured to the kitchen table. “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
“So why have you driven all this way, Russell?”
The young man wrung his hands with discomfort. “I’ve know your daughter for a very long time.”
The older man laughed. “You are twenty-seven. Even that is not a long time.” He continued to smile.
Russell uttered a nervous laugh. “Yes, sir.” He smiled. “I met Mandy three years ago on Monday. She locked her purse in her car. I let her use my cell phone to call a tow truck.” His eyes drifted to an old teapot atop the china cabinet. “It was raining. I offered to let her sit in my pickup while she waited. She said you had warned her about men she didn’t know. I grabbed my umbrella and we stood in the rain and talked for almost an hour.”
“She told me about the man who helped her,” Mister Barnes said. “I was so happy that she had someone to keep her company on that day. Her mother and I …” His voice dropped off. “Her mother was in the hospital. She died two months later.”
“Yes, sir. I remember.” He looked into the older man’s eyes. “Mandy was so devastated. I am sorry I never had the opportunity to meet her.”
Mister Barnes nodded. “Her mother would like you.”
“Sir.” Russell cleared his throat. “Mandy is a very special and wonderful lady. I feel blessed every day … every hour I spend with her. I want…” He stopped midsentence.
“What are you saying?”
“I am asking, sir,” Russell said, his voice shaky. “I am asking for your blessing. I would be honored to take your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“She is an adult,” Mister Barnes replied. “She does not need my permission to get married.”
“Mandy loves you and respects you.” The young man leaned forward in his chair. “I cannot ask her unless I know that we have your approval.”
“I was worried when Mandy told me she was dating.” The elder man stared at his fork on the table. “I was afraid I was losing her, too.”
“Marriage is a vow that I will take seriously,” Russell said with a confident tone. “I will love her and care for her. I will cherish her every day. She will not want for anything within my power. I will stay by her side for better or worse … in good times and bad … for richer or poorer … in sickness and health. Sir, I am not wanting to take your daughter from you. I am wanting to take care of your daughter.’
The older man stared at Russell for a moment. “You didn’t complete the vow. You did not say ‘til death do you part. Do you not agree with this?”
The young man pondered the question for a moment. “No sir. I didn’t say that.” Russell shifted his weight in discomfort.. “The fact is, I don’t like that phrase.”
Mister Barnes’ eyes widened in surprise.
“I love your daughter,” Russell continued. “I love Mandy with all my heart and soul. I cannot imagine living my life without her. She is the most precious spirit I have ever met.” A tear formed in the corner of his eyes. “I do not like until death do us part. That is just not enough time together. I will love your daughter for eternity. Please, Mister Barnes, may I have your daughter’s hand in marriage?”
“Mandy is right about you,” the older man responded. “You are special. I know you will take care of her. Yes, Russell, you have my blessing.”
Russell stood up from the table and grasped the man’s hand. “Thank you so much, sir.”
“You are right.” A tear trickled down the older man’s cheek. “’Til death is not nearly enough time. Enjoy every moment.”
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I loved the hearts of the young and older MCs in the story.
Congratulations on your EC placing.