Jared stared out the patio doors of his grandmother’s mansion to the grounds beyond. One day, the beautiful Queen Anne-style home with extensive gardens would be his. Meanwhile, unfortunately, he had to put up with Granny Patricia.

“You want chrysanthemums and orchids for your bouquet,” Patricia told Jared’s fiance, Linda. “They look lovely together, and they last a long time.”

“That’s a great idea, don’t you agree, Jared?” Linda glanced at him.

“Yes, wonderful.” Jared quickly faked a bright smile. In truth, he doubted Patricia remembered what either flower looked like since she’d gone blind years before.

“And don’t waste your money on bachelor’s or bachelorette parties.” Patricia shook her head. “I never understood why a couple who loved each other would want a night of so-called freedom before committing.”

That was the last straw! Jared would not let his Grandma’s unwanted advice cost him his bachelor’s party. He turned to Linda with a smile.

“Won’t you get me a glass of water, honey?” he asked.

The moment Linda was out of earshot, Jared revealed his true feelings.

“Stop interfering in my wedding plans, you old coot.” Jared rose and stomped to where his grandmother sat.

“Linda might be happy to indulge your nonsense, but I’ve had enough.”

Patricia flinched. “I was just trying to help, Jared.”

“Well, don’t.”

“Here you go, dear.” Linda returned with Jared’s glass of water.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Jared’s smile returned as he took the glass from her.

Linda glanced from Jared to Patricia and frowned. “Are you alright, Patricia? You look upset.”

“Oh, I was just telling Granny that I need to go into town and she’s upset because we’re having such a nice chat,” Jared said quickly. “Isn’t that right, Granny?”

Patricia nodded.

Deep down, Patricia blamed herself for Jared’s rudeness and cruelty. After all, she’d raised him since he was thirteen when his parents died in a car accident. Despite how much she loved him, she must’ve done something along the way to make him hate her.

Linda made coffee for her and Patricia while Jared was out. They were enjoying it on the patio when a knock on the front door echoed through the house. Linda went to answer it.

“Someone brought you a cake,” Linda said when she returned. “It has a note saying ‘For Granny Pat.’ What a nice gift.”

A collective gasp from the guests brought Jared out of his rage. When he turned, everyone was looking at him in shock.

“Another one.” Patricia grinned and held out her hands toward the direction of Linda’s voice. “They started appearing a few months back, but I’ve never known what the note says.”

Patricia felt the weight in her hands when Linda gave her the cake and bowed her head towards it. “Smells like…caramel. That’s my favorite, but I do find it strange. Nobody calls me Granny Pat.”

“Jared once told me you used to be quite the social butterfly, Patricia. Maybe it’s someone who remembers you from that time.”

“Maybe.” Patricia held out the cake again. “Why don’t you cut us each a slice, Linda?”

What happiness Patricia felt from the surprise gift vanished when Jared came home. He asked Linda to do some trivial chore and, once he was alone with Patricia, he broke her heart.

“What do you mean you think I shouldn’t attend your wedding?” Patricia asked.

“There won’t be anyone to look after you, and I know you wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself, or me, by ruining the wedding.”

Jared’s voice traveled from one side of the room to the other while he spoke. His footsteps were heavy on the wooden floors and gritty like he hadn’t wiped his feet when he came inside.

“But…” Patricia broke off with a sigh. Where had she gone wrong with this wicked boy? It wasn’t as though she needed constant monitoring. She was blind, not feeble-minded.

“It’s for the best if you just stay home, Granny,” Jared said.

“Fine,” Patricia replied. Jared clearly didn’t want her there, and if she thought about it, there wasn’t much point in her celebrating his wedding in those circumstances. If staying away made him happy, then that’s what she would do.

Patricia went out early on the wedding day to sit in the gazebo. She knew the path well and navigated it easily. Once she’d found a chair to sit on, Patricia turned her face to the sun and sighed.

Although she’d told herself a thousand times that it was better to be home, Patricia was deeply hurt by Jared’s behavior. She didn’t understand how he could be so cold-hearted toward her when she’d raised him like a son.

“Mrs. Martin?”

Patricia turned toward the gentle voice. “Karen, is that you?”

“Yes!” Light footsteps tapped up the stairs to the gazebo as the neighbor’s daughter approached. “I heard you were at home today and wanted to ask if you’d like to go for a walk?”

A shiver of fear traveled down Patricia’s spine. Had she pushed Jared too far? Would he physically harm her?

Patricia smiled. “I’d love that. Tell me, how is your mother doing?”

“She’s well. She’s started selling her baked goods to make money, and I help her after school.”

Patricia and the young girl continued to chat as Karen led her carefully across the lawn. It had been a while since the girl’s last visit, and Patricia was delighted to get caught up on all the news in the neighborhood. She didn’t suspect anything was amiss until she noticed the sounds of voices and music drawing closer.

Jared was so angry it felt like he was about to explode. He couldn’t stop staring at Granny Patricia, surrounded by HIS guests at HIS wedding celebration. How dare she show up here and steal his and Linda’s spotlight?

“Isn’t it great that your Gran came after all?” Linda beamed at Jared.

“Yes.” Jared clenched his jaw into a grin as he watched Patricia bump into a waiter carrying full champagne flutes. “I’m so happy she’s here.”

At that moment, the MC called Linda and Jared to the dancefloor. The music started as Jared and Linda looked deeply into each other’s eyes. Jared couldn’t believe he’d been so lucky to land a woman as beautiful, soft-hearted, and wealthy as Linda.

He led Linda into the first few steps of their dance but didn’t get any further. As Jared turned to spin Linda, Granny Patricia was there, roaming across the dance floor like the old fool she was.

“That’s it!” Jared left Linda to grab Patricia’s arm.

“Why didn’t you stay home as I told you to? I knew you would ruin my day.”

A collective gasp from the guests brought Jared out of his rage. When he turned, everyone was looking at him in shock.

Patricia tugged free of Jared’s grasp, lost her balance, and fell.

“Granny Pat!” Light footsteps hurried closer, and small hands helped Patricia to her feet.

“Granny Pat?” Patricia turned toward Karen. “Are you the one who’s been bringing me cakes?”

“Yes, but you weren’t supposed to know.” The girl’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Mom and I wanted to make you happy, but Mom says kindness loves silence, and you shouldn’t go shouting about your good deeds.”

“The hardest part about losing my eyesight was that I lost so much of my independence too.”

The MC cleared his throat into the microphone. “Er…it seems like a good time for the speeches! Instead of the usual way of doing things, Jared and Linda invite everyone who wishes to bless them on their wedding day to step forward and share their good wishes. Please step forward if you have something to say.”

“I have something to say.” Patricia patted Karen’s hand, which was still resting on her arm. “Won’t you help me to the stage, dear?”

“I don’t want you speaking at my wedding,” Jared said from somewhere nearby.

Patricia ignored him. She’d held her tongue for long enough.

“Jared was just thirteen when he came to live with me,” Patricia said. “Although a tragedy brought us under one roof, I always hoped that we would heal together and become a strong family. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”

“I’m ashamed to admit it, but Jared has grown up to be a cruel, cold-hearted man who only cares about earthly possessions. He has treated me badly for years now, and it’s past time I realized he’s not going to change.”

Patricia placed her hand on Karen’s shoulder. “I’ve decided that instead of leaving my estate to Jared, I will instead bequeath it to Karen and her mother. They are good, kind people who—”

“You can’t do that!” Jared roared.

Patricia heard a commotion among the guests. Muffled gasps and shuffling feet were punctuated by Jared’s harsh cussing as he approached the stage. A shiver of fear traveled down Patricia’s spine. Had she pushed Jared too far? Would he physically harm her?

“Don’t you dare!” Linda shouted.

It sounded like she was close by, between Patricia and the guests.

“I can’t believe you’re acting this way, Jared!” Linda sobbed. “I thought I knew you, but now I see that the man I fell in love with is a lie. You’re a monster, and I never want to see you again!”

A few days later, Patricia sat in her favorite chair on the patio and listened to the heavy footsteps and muted cussing as Jared packed up his possessions. He’d tried to suck up to her after the wedding celebration, but Patricia wasn’t fooled. She’d given him a week to get out of her house.

It was quiet once Jared left, but not for long. The sweet sound of laughter carried across the grounds. Soon, chairs scraped across the tiles as Patricia’s guests joined her on the patio.

“Linda should be here soon,” Karen’s mom, Felice, said. “Are you ready to go?”

Patricia nodded. “I can barely wait. I used to walk down to the beach every morning to watch the sunrise. I’ve missed it a lot these past few years.”

“I wish you’d said something.” Felice patted her hand. “I would’ve sent Karen round to walk with you.”

“I didn’t want to be a burden on anyone.” Patricia smiled. “The hardest part about losing my eyesight was that I lost so much of my independence too.”

“It’s time!” Karen shouted. “Linda is here!”

Karen and Linda helped Patricia navigate the winding path down to the cove she used to frequent while Felice carried their picnic basket. It felt like coming home.

The sound of the surf crashing against the rocky cliff on the far side of the beach, the cry of the gulls, and the salt tang of the air conjured such vivid memories that Patricia almost felt like she was seeing it again now.

“It’s so good to be back here,” she said.

“Get used to it,” Linda replied.

“From now on, I say we make this a weekly trip. Just the four of us.”

Patricia smiled as she listened to her friends’ enthusiastic replies. She walked down to the water with Karen and felt the ocean wash around her legs. Afterward, she leaned back in the chair Linda had set out for her and soaked up the sun.

It was a beautiful day and such a blessing to be surrounded by friends in the place she loved best. Patricia had peace in her heart and a smile on her face when she breathed her last a few minutes later.

What can we learn from this story?

• Don’t put up with people who treat you badly. No matter what the reason behind it is, it’s never acceptable to be cruel to others. If people in your life consistently mistreat you, then you’re better off without them.
• True goodness doesn’t crave applause. Doing good for others is its own reward, and we shouldn’t need thanks and gratitude to be kind to others.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a wedding that turns disastrous when the groom discovers the bride is his sister.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.