“Added to this, they are now building a railroad line from Denver to Cheyenne, and as I understand it, we are soon to see ourselves a new territory of the United States. The growth will continue. There is no doubt. I see God’s hand in it all.”
“I could have figured on you to say something along those lines.” His father smiled.
Charlie was again surprised by his father’s actions. He’d never been one to smile so much in the past. At least not that Charlie remembered. Had something happened to mellow his father’s more severe nature?
It was impossible not to say something. “You seem different, Father. Calmer. Less irritated. I have to say I fullyexpected your anger and frustration, yet here you are with a pleasant nature and smiles.”
His father sobered. “I have been a bear to live with over the years. I’ve come to realize just how unpleasant I’ve been.”
“And how did that happen?”
“Strangely enough by eavesdropping on one of your mother’s teas. She had a small group of friends over one afternoon, and I had to interrupt them to retrieve something I’d left in the room where they were gathered. Your mother said something to me, and I reacted in my usual gruff manner. In my formal way, I acknowledged the women and made it clear I had no time for any of them. I don’t even recall for certain what I said, but it wasn’t charitable. As I left, I heard one of the women comment.
“She said to your mother, ‘Abigail, I do not know how you live with such a disagreeable man. Have you ever known a moment’s happiness?’”
Father shook his head. “That gave me pause. It was rather like a punch to the gut. Your mother replied by telling them that while my nature was more bitter than sweet, they needed to understand that I was a good man who had been wronged.”
Charlie narrowed his eyes as he tried to understand. “Wronged? In what way?”
His father chuckled. Another inconsistency with his nature. “That was what I wondered. I had thought to just move on to my business, but I was frozen in place. Your sweet mother then explained to her friends that I had been forced into banking by my very strict father. She went on to share that I had wanted nothing to do with banking, but rather had wanted to farm.”
“Farm? I never knew that about you, Father.” Charliecouldn’t have been more surprised. The thought of his father out in the fields planting and harvesting was not a vision he’d ever considered.
“Few did, but your mother knew it and knew it well. She had walked the journey with me from the very moment when I decided that I had to do as my father bid me or suffer great consequences. She said that decision had robbed me of the joy and happiness life might have otherwise given.”
Charlie had never heard his father ever once say that he didn’t want to be a banker. All these years, Charlie had figured it was his father’s passion. And in loving what he did, he had imposed it on his sons as well.
He looked up to meet his father’s gaze, completely unsure what to say. Again, his father smiled. “You look completely baffled.”
“I have to admit I am. I thought you enjoyed what you did. Banking had long been in the family, and I just presumed it was your choice. I thought when I found it tedious and boring that something was wrong with me. In fact, I fully planned to discuss my future with you while you were here. I wrote you a long letter, but then Jefferson stole the money, and Melody’s father died.”
“Melody?”
Charlie laughed. “That’s an entirely different subject that we will definitely get to, but for now I have to say that after years of praying that you might understand my heart, I finally have hope that you do. You see, I want to be a teacher. I have been making plans to use my inheritance and build a small private school for boys. Around here there are so many children, and the public school has been overcrowded since its inception. I thought I could open my own school and teach maybe twenty or so to begin. I know it will nevermake me wealthy, but it is my passion and, I believe, my calling from God.”
His father said nothing but cut into his steak.
Charlie couldn’t bear the silence. “Did I offend you?”
Bertram Decker put his knife and fork down and met Charlie’s concern with a clear expression of joy. “Quite the opposite, my boy. You’ve made me happier than I can say.”
Charlie shook his head. “How?”
“You’ve finally taken a stand for yourself. For what’s important to you. I’ve known for years that your heart wasn’t in banking. Your brothers do seem to love it, and it makes me glad because I plan to soon be out of it altogether.”
“You’re resigning from the bank board?”
“Yes. Your mother and I discussed it, and it’s time. After hearing her friends, I had a long talk with her. She was so supportive of my situation. Her words were nothing but kind and sympathetic. How deeply that woman loves me and for reasons beyond my understanding.”
He picked up the knife and fork once more. “Let’s eat, Charlie, and then we can discuss our plans.”
Charlie’s jaw dropped open. “You called me Charlie.”
“That seems to be the name you prefer. I’d say it’s about time I started listening to what pleases you rather than continue to impose my will upon you. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Laughing, Charlie picked up his own silverware. “I do. It makes me happier than you could possibly know.”
His father gave him a wink. “Oh, I think I understand pretty well.”
