Page 154 of It's About Time
I rub my forefinger and thumb over the crisp white paper. “Maybe later.”
“Take your time. I’m sure that whatever your grandfather had to say, it’s going to bring you to tears anyway.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, sounds about right. Grandpa always did have a way with words.”
***
“I’m right here,” Dilynne says from beside me on my couch. Today has been the longest fucking day, but before I pass out, I really want to know what my grandfather had to say to me in this letter. And I knew that I wanted Dilynne by my side when I read his words.
“I know.” Leaning over, I press a kiss to her lips. “All right. Here goes nothing.”
Sliding my finger under the seal, I open the envelope and take out the piece of paper folded into thirds. As I open it up, seeing my grandfather’s writing already makes me grow emotional, but I keep going.
Dear Elliot,
I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you this in person, but I want you to know that I didn’t make this decision lightly.
The truth is, I’m writing this while you’re only eleven. I hope that by the time you get this letter, you and I are both much older because growing old is something not everyone gets to experience, son. Don’t ever take your life for granted. Remember that.
But we just got back from a trip to the grocery store, and I had to lock myself inside my office so I wouldn’t break apart in front of you. On our drive home, you told me about a friend of yours at school, a young girl that you said reminds you of your grandmother, and suddenly, I found myself growing emotional—hoping and praying that you find a love like we’ve had someday. If you do, that will make you truly rich in this life.
Young man, you make me so proud. Your heart, your curiosity, your capacity for love—watching you grow and experience life is one of my greatest blessings.
I made so many mistakes with your father, but I’ve tried to remedy that with you.
So, today, on your wedding day, I want to tell you that I hope you’ve found a woman as incredible as your grandmother, and that I’ve provided an example to you of how you should treat her. I hope that you cherish her every day of your lives together, and I hope that my fortune can help the two of you build a life together most people would only dream of.
Your grandmother and I did everything we could to invest and plan for retirement, and I hope the two of us get to enjoy the fruits of our labor. But if we don’t, I know that you deserve to have that chance.
You might be wondering why I would leave our money to you and not your father, or why I wouldn’t have told you about this earlier. The thing is, I am going to leave your father something, but not to the same extent as I have for you because sadly, my son lets greed fuel many of his decisions, and no matter how many times I’ve tried to direct him down the right path, he always veers off course.
He doesn’t understand that love is the most priceless thing we can obtain, and if you do, you fight like hell to keep it.
But you get it, Elliot.
You observe and know that actions will always speak louder than words. You understand the best part of your life can be found in another person. And you are such a dedicated individual, that when you find your person, I know you’ll fight like hell to prove to her every day that she’s the highlight of your life.
Your wife is a lucky woman to have you by her side.
But remember that you're lucky to have her too.
I wish you nothing but the best in your life, Elliot. May love fuel all your decisions until the end of time.
Love,
Grandpa Thorne
When I finish reading, I turn to look at Dilynne, who also has tears in her eyes. “The man certainly had a way with words, didn’t he?”
I nod. “He did. And he’s right. I promise to show you how much you mean to me every single day that we’re together, Dilynne.”
She cups the side of my face. “I know you will.”
“And one day, I’m going to make you my wife.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
