by Lisa Smartt
My word. Some people think nothing happens in a small town. They couldn’t be more wrong. Mabel got in a generous mood and put burgers on sale 3/$5 which made the morning radio show. Aunt Charlotte gave up on her diet, which never really worked anyway. She joined a gym in Martin instead. Yes. Aunt Charlotte joined a gym. She even bought gray sweat pants at the Dollar General. Uncle Bart said, “Lord, have mercy. The world must be comin’ to an end. But at least we can eat fried squirrel and cornbread again.” Priceless priorities.
Will has been released from the hospital. He’s doing well. Extensive counseling and therapy. Back at school now. Dusty even did a school program about adoption and bullying. According to Clara, Will came home and said, “All the boys said my dad seems like a tough guy who shouldn’t be messed with.” Those words dripped from Will’s lips like true poetry.
Oh, but the best news of all? The absolute best news is that Matthew Prescott and Sarah Simpson are getting married next month. Yep! I sure did call that one, eh? The ceremony is gonna take place in Chester and Ida’s backyard. Well, it’s Matthew’s backyard now. Next month it’ll be Matthew and Sarah’s backyard. Oh, and Matthew went back to work for Dusty too and he seems way happier than when we visited him in his big office in California. I guess some people have to experience the world before they find their place in it. Dusty and Matthew have even discussed working out a business partnership. They’re working with a group out of Nashville who helps convicted felons find work after they’re released from prison. Mitch Smith even agreed to consider hiring one of Dusty and Matthew’s new friends at his insurance agency.
Doug and I were sitting on the porch yesterday afternoon when Matthew and Sarah dropped by. They’re both downright giddy. Matthew walks with a spring in his step. Sarah glows like a painting of a Greek goddess that’s under big lights at the Smithsonian or something. Fearless, both of them. But the best part? Well, the best part was what they brought with them.
We were all just sitting on the rocking chairs discussing wedding details. Matthew pulled an old manila envelope from his back pocket. “I have something I’d like to read to you, if you’ve got a minute.”
Doug pulled his rocking chair forward a bit. “I hope it’s good news.”
“Yeah. It is. It’s something Chester wrote in the hospital. Left it with the lawyer. Only to be given to me, well…you’ll understand when I read it.”
“We can’t wait to hear it.”
Matthew unfolded the sheet of paper and then reached over and put his hand in Sarah’s. He cleared his throat like he was trying to maintain composure.
“Dear Matthew,
I’m asking Janie to help me write this ‘cause I can’t spell worth a dang and my handwriting’s never been good. I know she’ll fix it and make it right.
If you’re reading this, it means I’m dead. But that’s okay. I know where I’m going. I’m not worried. If you’re reading this, it also means you asked Sarah to marry you. Ida and I always thought you was right for each other. But we know young folks don’t like it when old folks get in their business. So we tried to stay out of it as best we could. So if you’re reading this, it means God answered our prayers. And He’s been doin’ that a lot lately.
Some people are always gonna judge you on what you did in the past. Don’t ever let their judgment make you bitter. People who can’t forgive are usually people you don’t need in your life anyway. The one person whose forgiveness you needed most has already forgiven you. And He knows more about rejection than you ever will. He sacrificed a lot. So don’t be troubling him by walking in shame. Hold your head up, Son.
I don’t have an education. You know that. I always worked regular jobs. I’ve had a regular life. Except for one thing. Most folks probably don’t know I won the lottery. Not the one they’re always advertising on the radio. You’ve seen the bank accounts. You know on a good day, Ida and I never had more than a few thousand dollars in the bank. But that was always okay. With me and with her.
No. The kind of lottery I won is better than that. I’ve known the love of one woman my whole life. And when a man is dying, that means more to him than money. So in the same way I’m givin’ you what few earthly treasures we have, I want to give you some advice from a dying old man that will give you a better treasure.
It’s okay to fight sometimes. You won’t agree with Sarah on everything. She won’t agree with you. But don’t ever walk out, Matthew. And if she starts walking out, run after her. If you promise to stay with a woman, you need to keep that promise. No matter what comes.
Sarah needs love. Compliment her. Lord, I’m glad Janie is writing this ‘cause I got not the foggiest idea how to spell compliment. Kiss her and hug her several times a day. The greatest memories of my life are of laying down in bed after a hard day’s work and knowing I didn’t have to lay there alone. Well, maybe those aren’t the greatest memories of my life. There are other things that happened in that bed that are even better than that. But seein’ as how Janie is writing this, I better leave that alone. (Janie, you reckon we should take that part out?)
One of the greatest gifts known to man is a good woman. So don’t mess it up. Treat her kindly. Take out the trash. Let her watch what she wants to watch on the TV sometimes. I don’t like “Wheel of Fortune” but I’ve seen nearly every episode for nigh on 30 years. Still can’t spell worth a dang. But Ida likes word puzzles. And her happiness means a lot to me. It always has. But it means even more to me now.
I better sign off now seein’ as how Janie’s got plenty of work to do that don’t involve helping an old man write a letter. Matthew, I’m happy for you. You and me? We struck gold. What is it they always say, ‘Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.’ We done even better than that, Son. Way better.
I never told you this, Matthew. But I love you. So go out and do big things in the world. Be blessed. Be a blessing.
Love, Chester”
Some folks in the community are still not sure about Matthew Prescott and especially about Sarah Simpson marrying him. But that’s fine. I always say that life is an imperfect journey with a lot of imperfect folks traveling alongside us. But sometimes God brings people across our paths. People who change the course of our lives for the better. People who show us how to love. And be loved. People who give us the courage to forgive. Chester’s right. “Go out and do big things in the world. Be blessed. Be a blessing.”
THE END
For Lisa Smartt info and funny small town tidbits, like her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lisasmarttbooks and follow her blog at http://www.lisasmartt.com/.
Book #5 in the Doug and Carlie Series coming November 2015.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Every person lives with some regrets. I’m no exception. But there’s one thing I’ve never regretted…marrying Philip Smartt in the spring of 1988. He has shown me what real love looks like. Every day. He doesn’t live in the fast lane or do “splashy” romantic things that put him on YouTube. No. He gets up every day and loves me. He never gives up on me. He wraps his arms around our sons and shows them how to be men. He impacts the lives of college students. Day after day. Year after year. Thank you.
We prayed for children for almost eight years before God brought us sons. Stephen and Jonathan have taught me so many things about life and unconditional love. They’ve shown me what’s important and what’s not. And even though they’re teenagers right now (pray for me), they still bring joy beyond words (and I’m a writer).
My mom and dad, Jack and Regina Golden, have spent their entire lives loving the Matthew Prescotts of the world. They didn’t have to tell us about grace and mercy. We saw it. Up close and personal. I’ve never spent one day of my life doubting God’s unconditional love for messed-up people. Thank you.
My in-laws, Les and Sylvia Smith, inspire all of us to never take love for granted. They love and serve each other with such grace. They serve those in need with enthusiasm. Thank you.
Merry Brown and I mee
t several times a week to write, encourage each other, share marketing ideas, and watch online cat videos. I could never have finished this book without her constant support, as well as her tech abilities. She reminds me to keep going.
My mom, Regina Golden, is an incredibly gifted proofreader. But her love for people is her real gift and legacy. I would have never attempted writing books had it not been for her constant support and meticulous writing skills. My love for spelling came directly from her. Every day I pray her incredible love for people rubs off on me.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:8