“You need to sign for this, Seth,” Lucy said as she handed the registered letter to her boss.
He took it and swallowed hard when he saw who the sender was. It was sent a week after Mark’s death. His funeral was two days ago. He still couldn’t believe it. Mark was only twenty-five. He had finally lost his battle with Muscular Dystrophy which he had since he was born. It was when he was six that he began to slow down. It was hard watching his younger brother confined to a wheelchair in his latter years, unable to shoot hoops like he used to.
He picked up the pen and signed for the letter. After she left, he opened it. He leaned back in this chair and slowly read the words on the single sheet.
Dear Seth, I had my nurse write this letter as it would take too long for me to do it myself. Besides, her writing is far better than mine. I know that I don’t have much time so I wanted to tell you what has been on my mind for a very long time. It has to do with Gabrielle. You know that I am in love with her and wanted to marry her but she turned me down. She cares for me but she isn’t in love with me and she didn’t think it would be right for her to accept my proposal. And she was aware that our parents didn’t approve of her for obvious reasons and she believed that you had your own objections but for different reasons. I know what those reasons are, Brother. You are in love with her. I may be slow now but, I’m not blind. I saw the way you tried not to look at her every time the three of us were together.
“I still remember the first time I brought her to meet you. You had just returned from a spin on your new boat. In your get up you looked like a sea captain minus the cap. I could tell that Gabrielle was impressed though she tried not to show it, for my sake, I guess. We were on our way to the hospital and I suggested that we stop by the marina and see you. I wanted her to meet my incredible brother whom I have looked up to my entire life. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the two of you were attracted to each other. At first I was miffed but then when I thought about it, I figured that if she were to have feelings for someone else, I would rather it be you. When I’m gone, I want you to go to her and tell her how you feel. Don’t pass up a chance for happiness out of a sense of loyalty to me. Nothing would please me more than to knowing that the two people I love most in the world have found happiness with each other. What I’m saying, Seth, is that you have my blessing.
Please take care of yourself. And tell Gabrielle, that best thing that ever happened to me was knowing her.
Your loving brother and best friend,
Mark
Seth carefully folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope before breaking down.
Gabrielle looked at the beautiful pendant Mark had given her as a birthday present a couple of years ago. Tears ran down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe that he was gone.
She missed him so much. He was such a beautiful person, so full of love and goodness. She felt blessed for knowing him and knew she would always cherish their friendship. There were times when she wished that she loved him the way he loved her but she couldn’t force something that wasn’t there. And when he proposed she had to turn him down. She couldn’t marry a man she didn’t love. It wouldn’t have been fair to him at all. His family was probably relieved when he told them that she had rejected his offer of marriage. Even Seth was probably relieved too. Seth…Not a day went by when she didn’t think about him. She hadn’t expected to fall in love with him but when they met she knew she was in trouble.
At the funeral, she had sneaked glances at him as he stood there, tall, well-built in his expensive black suit with his head bowed and his hands clasped tightly in front of him. His parents stood beside him. His father had his arm around his weeping mother’s shoulders. She wanted to go over and offer her condolences but wasn’t sure of the reception she would receive. After they laid Mark to rest, she was about to leave when Seth approached her.
“Thanks for coming,” he said quietly, his expression drawn.
“I had to come,” she replied. “He was my friend.”
“He cared very deeply for you.”
“And I cared deeply for him too. I will miss him.”
“Yes, we will all miss him.”
A pause and then, “Please offer my condolences to your parents.”
“I will.”
Their eyes lingered on each other’s face before she said, “Goodbye, Seth.”
“Goodbye.”
She turned and walked slowly away, tears welling up in her eyes. She was crying not only because of losing Mark but at the prospect of never seeing Seth again.
The ringing of the doorbell jolted her from her reverie and she put the pendant back in its box and in the top drawer of the bureau before leaving her bedroom. On her way to answer the door, she glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eight-fifteen. It was dark outside. The sun had set over an hour ago.
She peered through the keyhole, her heart lurching when she saw who it was. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. Seth towered over her, looking extremely handsome in a black silk shirt and black pants. His hair was slicked back. “I hope I’m not calling you at a bad time,” he said, his eyes restless on her face.
She shook her head. “No, you’re not,” she assured him as she stepped aside so that he could step into the foyer. “I didn’t think I would see you again.”
After he removed his shoes, he followed her into the living-room. Instead of sitting down on the sofa, he went over to the window where he could see the CN Tower. She joined him and stood watching him, thrilled to see him but couldn’t help wondering why he was there. After a few minutes of silence, he turned to face her. “I received a letter from Mark this morning,” he told her. “It was mailed a week after he died.”
Her eyes widened. “A letter?” she repeated. “He didn’t write it himself, did he?”
“No, he had his nurse write it. Would you like to read it?” he asked.
“If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind.” He reached into his shirt pocket and took out the envelope. He pulled the letter out and handed it to her.
She took it, unfolded it and began to read. Seth watched her, his expression tense. When she was finished, she looked up at him, her eyes wet. “He knew,” she said.
“Yes, he knew how we felt about each other even if we didn’t.”
“And he wants us to be together. That’s why he wrote this letter.”
“He has given us his blessing.”
“Yes.” She folded the letter, slipped it back in the envelope and held it out to him.
He took it, his eyes never leaving her face and put it inside his shirt pocket. “What about you, Gabrielle?” he asked tightly. “Do you want us to be together?”
“Yes. Is it what you want?”
“Yes!” he muttered thickly and reached for her. “It’s what I’ve wanted ever since we met.”
“Me too,” she managed to say before they kissed.
Mark got his wish. Two years later, they got married and named their first child, Mark.
Source: ABC News
Like this:
Like Loading...
