The Old Man
Bethany was graduating. She had her life ahead of her. The next step was college and then a career, but the first step was graduation. That’s where she first saw the old man.
He was standing by the door of the gymnasium, tanned and unkempt; he was continually running his gnarled fingers through his white hair. He looked out of place in his coveralls and farmer’s jacket. He had stood there since the ceremony began, and Bethany could swear the old man was watching her.
It took forever for the announcer to slog through the names and finally get to Woodward. It was times like this Bethany wished her last name was Abbot or Adams. Finally.
“Jeremiah Whitney… Arthur Woodman… Bethany Woodward…”
Her family erupted in applause at the sound of her name. No, she wasn’t sure who he had wanted to speak to, but it couldn’t be her. She was just in high school.
The second time she saw the old man was at her wedding. He was sitting in the third row aisle seat, and Bethany noticed him as her father walked her to the front of the sanctuary. He stood there in a suit with the same tan and white hair. She stumbled and nearly fell when she saw him.
As her husband-to-be said his vows all she could think about is why the old man was at her wedding. Perhaps he would talk to her during the reception , and she could finally find out what he wanted.
As Bethany and her new husband turned around to walk out of the church, she noticed that the old man had gone. His seat was empty and a little askew where it had moved as he left.
At the reception Bethany continually searched the crowd of guests looking for the one she had never invited. She didn’t see him at all that night. It was as if he had never been there.
After the wedding she began to wonder if she had really seen him at all.
The next time he came into her life was at her father’s funeral. She was wiping tears from her eyes when she saw his profile. He was listening to the preacher at the gravesite and didn’t see her staring at him. Bethany was incredulous. Why did the old man think it was okay to interfere in the most personal times in her life?
She started toward him to finally let him know she didn’t appreciate it. As she turned, her mother reached out to touch her arm. “Don’t leave me,” her mother implored. Bethany was a good daughter and stayed to hold her hand.
When the service was over, she turned to look once more. Of course the old man had disappeared.
Bethany didn’t see the old man again until the day of her death. Her family had been caring for her, and the nurses told them her time was short. They all came in to kiss her goodbye and hold her hands with tears in their eyes and sniffles filling the room.
The old man had entered the room at some point, and by now, she looked at him like an old friend. She had seen him at the largest moments in her life. It only seemed right that he be there. As Bethany smiled, the old man took her hand and helped her to her feet.
Bethany finally had the chance to speak to the old man.
“Why did you show up at the most important parts of my life?”
“Dear, I was there even when you didn’t see me.”
“But why?”
“We have plenty of time to talk about that.”
They were walking into the light, and she felt safe with the old man.