A retired soldier wounded in battle and lost an arm helps his new neighbor find employment by watching her child. He has no idea what the future holds for them.
Before losing his cherished family, his lovely wife, and his daughter, Edward had never imagined anything would hurt him more than the war. His life became hopeless after losing his loved ones. He was unloved and had a disability in one arm. Nothing was his to cherish. No love, No relatives. Nothing.
Sometimes, Edward would spend the entire day in bed or peering out his bedroom window at his content neighbors as he drowned in his loneliness. They could spend time with their family, unlike him. They had a purpose for existing. He lost his wife and only child in an accident; how harsh was life to him? Edward often thought.
But his life altered when a woman eventually moved into the vacant house next to him. Edward felt she was wonderful and her baby boy was so cute.
When the woman caught Edward staring at her, he waved his arm in greeting. He chose to say hello to her because she had a smile on her lips. He emerged from his solitude, something he hadn’t done in a long time.
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He introduced himself, saying, “I’m Edward, miss.” It appears that you have a lovely man with you.
The infant laughed as she grinned. Edward, nice to meet you, she said. “This is Joe, and I’m Natalie. By the way, dealing with him is not simple.”
He chuckled, “Oh, that’s how kids are!” “I am aware, having reared a daughter!”
That’s fantastic, she exclaimed. “Is she wed?” you ask.
“Darling, she left me a little too soon. She and my wife are now at God’s house. Living alone.”
Natalie said, “I’m sad to hear that. If it’s okay, may I ask what happened to your arm?
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Oh, I was in the army, and I hurt myself on the war field,” he said. “Please come to tea with me if you have time, my love. After all, a cute little man moving into the neighborhood does not happen daily.”
She answered, “That’d be my pleasure, Edward. “If that’s acceptable, I’ll see you in the evening. I have a job that needs to be done.”
“Naturally. I’ll run into you around.”
Edward had company that evening for the first time in many years. He was thrilled when Joe and Natalie visited him.
After her husband passed away, Natalie, a single mother, raised Joe alone. After getting dismissed, she relocated to a smaller home in Edward’s neighborhood. Because Joe was young and couldn’t afford a babysitter, she claimed she was looking for remote employment.
“I’m not confident I’ll be able to find one anytime soon, though, as most jobs only permit working from an office or in a hybrid mode. Because Joe is so little, I can’t abandon him.”
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Edward said, “I can help you with your baby.” Oh, I’ve been idle all day and would love to assist.
Will you? She questioned. “However, Edward, you’ll have an issue with it. No, I doubt I’d agree to it.”
Like a boomerang, acts of kindness always come back to you.
Edward questioned, “Do you think so? I only have one arm and am incapacitated. “Miss, I used to be in the army! Even though I’m not very young, I still care for this house on my own.”
While Natalie was hesitant to accept Edward’s assistance, she did so since she was in severe need of it.
“Edward, you are so wonderful to say that. I’m sorry if this is bothering you. You’re doing this after only recently getting to know each other. I sincerely appreciate it.”
Oh, don’t thank me, he kindly said. “I would adore some companionship. In addition, Joe makes me think of my daughter when she was young. It’s not a big deal.”
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After that, Edward’s life changed drastically. Before Natalie and Joe came into his life, he had been experiencing loneliness. Joe felt alive, thanks to his lovely giggles. He adored it even though it was difficult to feed him, rock him, or change his diaper with just one arm. More than anything else, he cherished it.
When Natalie obtained a job, she could afford to leave work late because Edward would be there for Joe. In the meantime, Natalie went to her job interviews, at ease knowing that her baby was in good hands.
When Joe fell asleep on Edward’s chest one day while he was singing him a lullaby, Edward was unable to take his eyes off the infant. He remembered his late wife that day after many years and added, “It might not be all bad, honey. I want to live for a long time; you won’t believe it. I anticipate that it will be some time before we reconnect.”
Edward’s life now revolved around Joe and Natalie. The companionship he hadn’t had in a long time. They had helped him recall what it was like to be loved.
One day, Natalie told Edward she wanted to have a serious conversation with him when she arrived home early from work. She yelled at Edward, “You are no longer taking care of Joe, Edward!” as she snatched Joe away.
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Edward felt astonished. He was madly in love with the young boy. Had he broken any rules? Had he unintentionally injured them?
He was concerned and inquired, “What happened, darling?” “Did I make a mistake?”
Edward’s heart sunk when she answered stiffly, “Yes, you did. Something is incredibly wrong! He was ready to cry and apologize when his neighbors burst through the front door with a cake and started singing happy birthday to him. Tears had begun to fill up in his eyes.
“Edward, happy birthday!” With a smile, Natalie exclaimed. “I’m sorry I frightened you like that. A few days ago, I saw your table calendar on your side table as I was changing Joe’s diaper in your bedroom. Even worse, you forgot to tell me it was your birthday!”
Edward wailed, “Oh, darling.” “I haven’t had a birthday party in years.”
“You will now, then. Let’s cut the cake now. I also have a proposition for you!”
“Offer?”
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“Would you like to adopt us as your family and become Joe’s grandfather? Although I know the position is challenging, we hope you won’t decline.”
Oh, my dear! Edward wept. “Angel… My dear, you are an angel. I’m grateful. Oh, I would love that so much if I could!”
“Edward, you were also an angel in our life. We’re really happy to have met you.”
Edward enjoyed the most excellent birthday ever that year and celebrated many more in Joe and Natalie’s company.
Later, when Natalie met a man who adored both her and Joe, she requested that Edward lead her down the aisle. The elder man was grateful for the opportunity and did so with the utmost respect.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
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