He taught her patience in the most bewildering way.
Get away from me! I never promised to marry you! And I dont even know whose child that is. Perhaps it isnt mine at all! So off you go with your song, and Ill be on my way Victor told Valerie as he packed his belongings.
She stood frozen, ears ringing. Was it really Victor, the man who had once declared his love and carried her in his arms? The same Victor who whispered sweet promises and swore hed give her the world? Before her now stood a bewildered, angry stranger.
Valerie wept for a week, waving a final farewell to Victor. Yet, at thirtyfive, her own shy nature left little hope of finding a womans happiness, so she decided to give birth.
She delivered a girl on time and named her Lucy. The child grew calm and troublefree, never a burden to her mother.
Valerie treated Lucy decently, but genuine motherly love never seemed to bloomshe fed her, clothed her, bought toys, yet never cradled her, kissed her, or took her for walks. The affection simply never awakened.
Little Lucy often begged to play, but Valerie always replied, Im busy, I have too much to do, Im tired. The maternal warmth never stirred.
When Lucy turned seven, something unprecedented happened: Valerie met a man. She even brought him home, and the whole village whispered about the careless Valerie.
He was a drifter, not from the area, with no steady job, living somewhere unclear. Valerie worked in the village shop; he showed up to help unload crates of goods. On that practical foundation a romance sparked.
Soon Valerie invited the newcomer to live with her. Neighbours chattered about the woman whod taken a stranger in, fretting over the little girl. Hes silent, you cant get a word out of himhe must be hiding something. Yet Valerie ignored them, sensing this might be her last chance at a womans contentment.
Soon the villagers opinion shifted about the quiet man. The house, neglected without a male hand, crumbled and needed repairs. His name was Ian, and first he fixed the porch, then patched the roof, mended the fence.
Day after day he tinkered, and the cottage grew sturdier before their eyes. Seeing his industriousness, people began to ask for help, and he replied,
If youre old or poor, Ill lend a hand. If you can pay, then give me money or food.
He took cash from some, groceries, meat, eggs, milk from others. Valeries garden thrived, but without a man she had no cattleso now the milk and cream appeared in the fridge, along with butter.
Ians hands were truly golden. As the saying goes, he was a jackofalltrades. Valerie, never considered beautiful, seemed to glow beside him, softened, her cheek dimples appearing.
Lucy grew, started school, and one afternoon she sat on the front step watching Uncle Ian work. Later she wandered to a neighbours house, returning only at dusk, having been out late.
When she opened the garden gate, she froze. In the middle of the yard stoodswings! They swayed gently in the breeze, beckoning her.
Is that for me? Uncle Ian! Did you put these here for me?Lucy gasped, eyes wide.
Of course, Lucy, theyre yours! Come and enjoy themlaughed the usually silent Uncle Ian.
Lucy hopped onto a swing and rocked back and forth, the happiest girl in the whole world.
Valerie left early for work, so cooking fell to Uncle Ian. He prepared breakfasts, lunches, and the most delightful pies and casseroles. He taught Lucy how to cook and set a table, revealing a hidden talent in the quiet man.
When winter shortened the days, Uncle Ian walked Lucy home from school, carrying her bag and sharing stories of his own lifehow he cared for a sick mother, sold his flat to help her, and how his brother cast him out of the family home. He taught her to fish; in summer dawns they would sit by the river waiting for a bite.
He taught her patience.
Midsummer, Ian bought Lucy her first childrens bicycle and taught her to ride.
Ian, shes just a girl complained her mother.
It makes no difference. She must learn he replied firmly.
On New Years Day he gave her real childrens skates. That evening they sat at a festive table set by Ian with Lucys help. They welcomed the new year, laughing, sharing food, and joy.
At dawn, Valerie and Ian were awakened by Lucys shriek.
Skates! Hooray! I have real skates! White and new! Thank you, thank you!!!Lucy cried, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks as she held the gift beneath the Christmas tree.
Later, Ian and Lucy went to the river, clearing ice and snow together, and he taught her to glide. Lucy beamed. As they headed back, she suddenly threw her arms around the man.
Thank you for everything! Thank you, Daddy
Ian wept, hidden tears of joy, wiping them away so Lucy wouldnt see.
Years passed; Lucy left for university in the city, facing countless hardships as everyone does. Ian was always nearhe attended her graduation, hauled bags of groceries to the city so his beloved daughter would never go hungry.
When Lucy married, Ian stood beside the windows of the maternity ward, waiting for her. He later doted on his grandchildren, loving them with a devotion some never show their own kin.
Eventually, as all must, he passed on. At his farewell, Lucy, with her mother, stood in deep sorrow, threw a handful of earth to the ground, sighed heavily, and said,
Goodbye, Father You were the best dad in the world. I will always remember you
And he remained forever in her heartnot merely as Uncle Ian or a stepfather, but as a true father. For a father is not always the one who sired you, but the one who raises you, shares your sorrows and joys, and stays by your side.
