Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
In the small town of Crestwood, there lived a man named Robert Norman in his middle thirties once filled with ambition and dreams. However, the harsh realities of life hit him like an unforgiving storm. He had what people would call the "perfect job",. He was able to provide for his family and manage the bills on his own, he lived happily with his wife and kids for some years before an unfortunate event snatched his peace away from him. The company where he worked as the manager was shut down by the corporate authorities as a result of a scamming reported by some individuals. He looked for work in different places for several years but couldn't find any, some said he was qualified but couldn't give him the job because of his previous company scandal.
Five years of unemployment had worn down his spirit, leading him to believe he was a burden to his family. One gloomy evening, Robert took an unexpected turn in the face of despair, he walked away, leaving behind his wife, Emily, and their two children.
Emily, a resilient woman in her early thirties, took on the weight of the family's responsibilities. She juggled her little bakery work, parenting, and household chores, holding onto the belief that one day Robert would return, a changed man. Yet, as the years passed, Robert's absence became a haunting void, a testament to his surrender to hopelessness. She loved her husband dearly and knew what he was passing through and prayed for him to overcome it and come back to his family. She struggled to maintain her sanity with the little help she got from her only remaining family, her sister who had her own family to tend to and some good friends. She and Rob were orphans.
“ Mummy, when will Daddy come back from his travel, am missing him and the bedtime stories he tells me ”. Sarah their 5 years old daughter and the first child would often ask her. Their second child was still a toddler.
“ He'll come back soon sweetheart, he's buying gifts for you and your sister ”. This was her reply each time she asks about him.
One night, as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, Robert experienced a vivid and unsettling nightmare. In his dream, the once-happy home he abandoned had crumbled, with echoes of laughter replaced by silent tears. His children's faces, now masked with disappointment, fueled a profound regret within him.
Awakening in a cold sweat, Robert found himself at a crossroads. The nightmare served as a wake-up call, shattering the walls of apathy that had enclosed his heart. With the dawn of a new year, he made a resolution – to rebuild the fragments of his shattered family and redeem the lost years.
On New Year Day, Emily was trying to get her children warm and keep them busy while she made lunch for them when they heard a knock on the door. She paused and listened again to be sure of what she heard the first time, the knock came again much louder this time, she came downstairs and stood in front of the door wondering who it could be as they rarely had visitors.
“ Who's knocking ? “. She asked but no reply came.
“ Who's knocking on the door “, she asked again much louder, her tone indicating a sign of irritation .
“It's Rob ”.
She gasped and took some steps backwards, her hands shaking and her knees growing weak.
“No, it can't be or maybe it's him ”. Many thoughts raced through her head as she proceeded to open the door. There he was, standing in front of her, the same man that left her to cater for their two kids alone for FIVE YEARS !!!. She contemplated on how to react, she didn't know if she should run into his arms and embrace him tightly or to slam the door very hard on his face. As she was thinking on how to react, Robert fell on his knees with tears flooding his eyes and asked for forgiveness.
His children heard his voice and came rushing downstairs with the eldest holding her sister. As they came downstairs, Rob wept some more as they rushed into his arms, he kissed them passionately and apologized to them.
“Daddy, where have you been, i have been reading Kiara bedtime stories since you left. Where's the gifts you went to buy ?? Sarah asked searching around for any colourful wrapped box or bag.
“ They got delayed love but i promise you I'll get lots and lots of gifts for you and your sister“. He said and kissed her forehead.
He was still on his knees pleading with Emily to take him back, promising to be a better dad and husband. She helped him up on his feet and hugged him.
“ It will take a while for things to go back to the way it was but I'll forgive you because of the kids and because of the love i have for you “. She said and hugged him tighter.
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
Rob became a changed man, and started and established an online bakery services with the help of his wife and together they both managed it and supported the family.
The End.
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Aww. This was teary especially the part where his children asked him for their gifts. I am happy they reunited. He did not take the loss of his job and being unemployed for five years well but I am happy he came back to his senses.
This is an uplifting story for the end of the year. Past misdeeds forgiven. A road to redemption for sure. Not everyone would be as tolerant as Emily, but she does have children to care for, and they would benefit from having a father in the home. The ending of the story--establishing an online bakery and becoming successful at it--is bit of a stretch. However, this is a Christmas story and we do look for a little magic at this time of year. In the future, you might think of a resolution that is more realistic, one that readers could accept more easily.
Thank you for sharing this well-written story with us, @emeka002.
The reunion is what gave me smile on face. Change is the only constant thing right? I am glad Rob came back to his senses