An Ignorant Thief

A Parent's Blessing

The next morning I got ready and went downstairs, throwing caution to the wind. Tzi had let Isaac in through the back door earlier, knowing he would never get in through the front, as it was easily visible from the study, where my dad usually sat. I knocked on the door and my father answered, obviously startled to see me up and about. "Father, there is someone here to see you."

He nodded and I stepped into the study, closely followed by Isaac. Father's eyes narrowed slightly. He motioned for us to sit down. Isaac spoke. "Sir, I wish for permission to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

My father shook his head. "I thought we already went over this."

Isaac held up a hand. "Let me rephrase. Not permission exactly. More like, blessing, we'll say. Since Sadie is over the age of twenty one, she does not need your permission, and nor do I. We can get married with or without your consent. We are here simply because both of us will be happier if we know it was done with your knowledge and willingness. Sir, I love your daughter. I will treat her kindly, and even if I am not as rich as you would like, I am not poor."

My father sighed. "Alright. You have my blessing." He shook his finger. "But don't think your mother will like it."

**

The carriage rattled over the cobble stones in the church yard. I leaned out the window and waved. Isaac leaned out next to me.

We soon passed over a hill in the ground and could no longer see anything but the steeple. We pulled back into the cozy interior, cheeks red from the frosty air. "Well Mrs. Isaac Manning, is it proper now?"

"You better hope so!" I pulled the curtain on the carriage, as I do on this story, my story. So I may have told a small fib. My story turned out to be happy after all.