Karl was forced to run away from his wedding, but Jessica never understood why he stood her up at the altar. Years later, she received a note in the mail with his name on it. No matter how much time had passed, Jessica never forgot him, and what he wrote was astonishing.
“You will leave this church immediately and never return. Do you understand me, boy?” Hubert Pennigton, Jessica’s father, threatened Karl with a stern look. They were standing in the men’s dressing room behind the church, and Jessica was getting ready just across the hall in the other room.
“I’m not a boy, sir. I’m a man, and I love your daughter. I will not abandon her. It’s our wedding day,” Karl insisted, pleading his future father-in-law to understand.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“I never liked you two dating, and I’m not going to let this continue. My daughter will not be marrying a loser who works paycheck to paycheck,” the older man sneered. “Do you hear me? I have friends in high places, as well as connections in some others. I can make your life a nightmare. If you don’t disappear willingly, I’ll make you leave by any means necessary.”
“Is that a threat?” Karl asked, squaring up to Hubert, trying not to show how afraid he was. He knew Jessica’s family was connected to some important people and a few dangerous folks, too, so Karl knew the older man’s words were not in vain.
“I don’t make threats, boy, I make promises. Now, you will leave this place right now without anyone noticing and ghost Jessica forever, OR ELSE!” Hubert finished, raising his voice, in the end, to get his point across thoroughly. He poked his index finger in Karl’s chest painfully, gave him a disdainful look, and exited.
Karl didn’t know what to do. He truly loved Jessica, but her father would hurt them both just to get his way. He paced around the room for a few more minutes then decided to leave before his groomsmen came to find him. He was quick, exiting through the back of the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan and hailing a cab right there.
“Where to, sir?” the taxi driver asked.
“DTW, please,” Karl replied. He was going to the airport and flying across the country to get away from these people. I hope Jessica can forgive me, Karl thought while resting his elbow on the window sill and facing out.
Fifty years later…
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
At 75, Jessica liked to sit outside on her porch and watch the kids running around Rosedale Park Historic District, one of the best neighborhoods in Detroit. She always took a cup of tea and a book to read. It was a peaceful time, but Jessica inevitably thought about her life during those times. Today was that kind of day.
She remembered her first wedding well, as it was the only time she was ever excited to have one. Karl was the love of her life, or so she thought. But when she reached the end of the aisle on her father’s arm, she saw everyone’s worried faces. Karl had disappeared, and no one knew why. They waited hours for him to return.
His groomsmen went to his house, and everything was intact. But Karl never returned, and Jessica cried on the steps of the Masonic Temple for several more hours. It was one of the best wedding venues in the city, and she always dreamed of getting married there. However, it was not to be. Her mother comforted her as best she could, but her father was actually happy.
Five years later, her father introduced her to Michael Keller, the son of a family friend. He was wealthy and connected, so her dad pushed until she accepted his proposal. They got married and had a daughter, Cynthia, almost immediately. However, Jessica filed for divorce the moment her father died.
Her husband had cheated throughout their entire relationship and was glad to separate from her, so it was a win-win situation for everyone involved. She took the then-six-year-old Cynthia, moved to her house in the Rosedale Park area, and forgot about her failed love life.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Years went by, and Cynthia grew up to become an amazing career woman. She got married right there at the Masonic Temple and gave Jessica three gorgeous grandchildren, who visited often.
I had a great life, Jessica thought to herself while sipping her tea. It was true, although she never tried dating again. But once in a while, she thought about Karl and still wondered why he had disappeared.
Suddenly, the mailman snapped her out of her inner musings with a bright smile and a loud, “Hello, Mrs. Pennington!”
“Oh, dear. You scared me,” Jessica answered after almost dropping her tea.
The mailman laughed and apologized humorously. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But I have a letter for you. I think someone wrote it by hand even. So fancy! People don’t do that anymore,” the mailman said, handing Jessica the letter. She thanked him with a smile, and he left, waving goodbye.
The last thing she expected to see was the name “Karl Pittman” on the envelope, but it was right there along with her name and address.
“I can’t believe this,” she breathed and settled her cup of tea on the porch railing with a shaking hand. Suddenly, she was back at that church, crying on her mother’s shoulders.
Her hands still shook as she tried to open the envelope. She took a big breath before starting to read what was Karl’s unmistakable handwriting.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Dear Jessica,
I don’t know if you’ll be glad to hear from me. But after all this time, I want you to know that not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. Your father threatened me on our wedding day, and I was young and afraid. I shouldn’t have listened, but I did, and I ran off. I moved to California with nothing but the clothes on my back.”
Jessica had to stop reading for a few moments and wipe a few tears off. She knew her father had something to do with it. She knew Karl loved her and wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It didn’t change anything, but it soothed that old ache that never went away. Karl was right to leave. Her father never made threats he wasn’t serious about and didn’t take “no” for an answer. She focused on the letter again and continued reading.
“I never married nor had children. You were the love of my life, and I wanted nothing else. I hope this letter finds you well. I’m leaving my phone number, and there’s my address, so you can write me back if you want. I don’t know how to use Facebook, and all that stuff kids have these days. But I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely, Karl.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Jessica’s tears kept falling for several minutes after finishing the letter, but then she laughed. She also had no idea how to use all that technology available these days. Therefore, she got up and went inside to find her stationery. It was time to write back.
For the next few months, they wrote to each other often, recounting even the smallest moments in each other’s lives. Until Karl finally called her and they stayed on the phone for hours. A year later, he moved back to Detroit, and they rekindled their lost relationship.
They were old and might not have much time together, but they were going to enjoy one another’s love for as long as they could.
What can we learn from this story?
- It’s never too late to find love again. Jessica gave up on relationships for many years until she found the love of her life again at 75.
- Tell your partner the truth. If Karl had told Jessica about her father’s threats, they could’ve run away together or dealt with it in some form. But he took off, and they would never know what could’ve been.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who stole his grandmother’s money, but she got her revenge.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
BROKEN HEARTS
LOVED Saoírse Ruane, who was on The Late Late Toy Show, died of cancer when she was only 12.
The brave girl from Galway, whose appearance on the Toy Show won hearts across the country, died on Tuesday, her family said this morning.
Saoírse was diagnosed with cancer in November 2019 after complaining of an injured ankle. In 2020, her leg was cut off because an Osteosarcoma tumor in her tibia was found to be cancerous and likely to kill her.
When Saoírse joined Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020, her story became well known.
The Galway girl’s fight against a rare form of bone cancer amazed everyone with how strong and tough she was.
The death of Saoírse has broken the hearts of her parents, Roseanna and Ollie, and her little sister Farrah-Rose.
They told everyone about their terrible loss by saying, “After a long brave and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you that our beautiful little Saoírse took her last breath in our arms on Tuesday.”
“Thank you to all of our wonderful fans for thinking about Saoírse and us over the past few weeks.
“Today, we also think of you because we know how much the country loved Saoírse and how she changed the lives of so many people.”
“Cancer, you took her away from us. You also took away our dreams and the life we had.” Things will never be the same!
Please give us some space as we go on our last and final trip with our beautiful girl. “Farrah Rose and Mamma Dadda.”
President Michael D. Higgins and stars from all over show business have paid tribute to the beloved girl. Her story was told on The Toy Show the first year they started their huge charity campaign.
through her battle, Saoírse’s family gave a “devastating” health update in November of last year, saying that her cancer had spread.
After a recurring tumor was found in her left lung earlier in 2023, they said it was a “huge shock” to them that the cancer had spread to her other lung.
It was Saoírse’s “biggest battle to date” because she had to go through more chemotherapy.
In April, Roseanna said, “Little did they know that their world was about to fall apart again.”
“To say we’re devastated just doesn’t cover it,” she said. It’s not fair that she’s been to war so many times and fought so hard.
Saoírse had already had a few dreams come true, like going to Old Trafford to see Manchester United play and going on her dream vacation to Disneyland.
When people heard that Saoírse had died, they sent her a lot of tributes.
The office of President Michael D. Higgins said, “President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, after her death at the age of 12.” Everyone was moved by Saoírse’s strength and kindness.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin also said, “Very saddened by the death of Saoírse Ruane.”
“I will always remember meeting Saoirse and her mother Roseanna in Croke Park and seeing her beautiful smile and love for GAA.”
“The Toy Show Appeal is an amazing thing she left behind.” We’re very sorry for her family and friends’ loss.
Tubs’ tears
After Saoirse’s appearance on The Toy Show, Ryan Tubridy, who used to host Late Late, became friends with her family. He said that the “world is a poorer place” without her.
According to him, hearing the news of his dear young friend Saoírse Ruane’s death made him feel the saddest thoughts possible.
“As soon as we met, we became friends.” People all over the country fell in love with her, and because of her, a charity was founded. Through this, she helped make the lives of thousands of Irish children better and more hopeful.
“A child who is selfless, humble, kind, hopeful, and thoughtful.” She was everything our country should and could be, and her death will make a lot of us think about things.
“My condolences and all the love I can muster go out to Roseanna, Ollie, and Farrah Rose. They are a beautiful family whose whole world has been turned upside down by this tragedy.”
“Thank them for letting us all know about their amazing Saorse.”
“The world is a poorer place without Saoírse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.”
The legacy of Saoírse
Roz Purcell, a radio host on RTE 2FM, said, “No one will forget Saoírse; she left a huge mark and mark on Ireland.”
“In 12 years, she did so much.” May she rest in peace. Think about all of her family and friends who will miss her a lot.
Patrick O’Mahony, the captain of Ireland’s rugby team, said, “I’m very sorry to read this.” She was an inspiration.
Rosana, I’m so sorry, said Kathryn Thomas of RTE. Your lovely daughter made our lives so much better.
“A small part of what she brought into your life.” That smile is great. Thinking about all of you. “Take it easy, little angel.”
Today FM It was DJ Declan Pierce who wrote, “My beautiful friend. It breaks my heart so much.
“The best thing about my job is getting to know Saoírse through the radio show. From the bottom of my heart, I love you all the time.
Singer RuthAnne wrote on her blog, “Heartbroken. She was truly unique, and her bravery knew no bounds.”
“I am so thankful that I met her and had the chance to sing with her. What an honor!”
“That is something I will always treasure and hold close to my heart. Lots of love and light to everyone.”
Saoirse’s funeral will be held at St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Kiltullagh, on Sunday at 1.45 p.m.
It also said, “Saoírse will rest at home on Friday, March 8, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
“From the Bullaun Church parking lot (H62 YH66), a bus service will leave. Please follow the stewards’ instructions and only use the bus service to get to the event.”
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