That morning felt like any other โ piles of papers on my desk and a little time to have everything done in time. And as I thought things couldnโt get any worse, my boss entered the office and introduced me to the new hire who was supposed to help around. When he stretched his hand and said โHello,โ I was filled with anger. My new coworker was the man who ruined my life.
As usual, I was in a hurry, rushing to get to work just in time, something I failed doing more often lately. I put a wrinkled shirt on, forgetting to do the ironing, and saw my daughter, Sophie, doing the dishes.
What she did was my responsibility, but I rarely managed to get everything done around the house. I offered to make her breakfast, but she refused. โAt least let me drop you to school,โ I said, but her answer was a resounding no.
Her indifference towards me following my wifeโs passing and the heavy burden of household tasks she took upon herself made me feel like a failure of a father. Being a teenager who needed to have her own life, free of responsibilities like running errands and doing the laundry, Sophie struggled to balance her youth with the demands placed upon her.
When I entered the office, barely making it on time, my boss greeted me, telling me there was new hire. I felt relieved. โFinally some help,โ I thought to myself.
โWhat are you doing here? Of all places in town you got hired in the one where I work?โ I snapped.
Mark, the new coworker, didnโt say a word.
A few years ago, he caused the car crash that claimed the life of my wife Kira. He was someone I hated and blamed for my failed life.
Looking down, Mark apologized. โI never meant to do any harm to anyone. I feel barely alive after that tragic night.โ
โListen, I donโt need your apologies. They wonโt return my wife back,โ I said and returned to the piles of papers I needed to finish. I didnโt need that manโs help and I couldnโt stand his presence, let alone share an office with him.
The following day, Mark approached me and said, โI know your pain.โ
โYou know nothing,โ I said, my hand clenched into a fist, trembling with anger.
โThat night, when you lost your wife, I lost my entire family,โ he said. โMy wife had a complicated pregnancy, i was driving fast, rushing to take her to the hospital, but neither she nor the baby made it,โ he said, feeling pain and guilt.
Deep down, I could understand him. If I were him, and the lives of Sophie and Kira were at stake, I would probably drive that fast myself.
That day, my boss entered the office and placed even more work on my desk. โMake sure you finish these until this evening,โ he said. I just nodded and started working.
But then, my phone buzzed. It was my mother. โAre you coming to Sophieโs debate? She would be so disappointed if you donโt make it again,โ she said.
Sadly, I knew I wouldnโt.
My new coworker, the man I blamed for my wifeโs death, said, โGo to your daughterโs debate. If you leave now, youโll be there just in time. Let me handle the work.โ
I refused. But he then looked me in the eyes and said, โYou canโt save the dead, but itโs never too late to save the living.โ
His words felt real. Maybe it was time I let go of the anger. Mark was genuinely sorry. He was also someone who lost those he loved the most.
I just nodded and left the office, feeling relieved I finally let go of the grudges I had been holding onto for so long.
As Sophie took the stage, her gaze wondered through the people in the audience. Noticing me there, she put a smile on her face and it gave me hope that a connection that was once lost could again be restored.
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