Patricia believed her grandson was good deep inside and overlooked his flaws. She gets a wake-up call on his wedding day and decides to teach him a hard lesson.
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?”
Lessons 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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