On a sunny day in March, a man with a new brown coat with a gorgeous tan lining, stared out among the tall, delicate grass, and sighed as the sun tiptoed up the horizon. His coat was that which could only be patiently sewn by one of those ancient tailors who are masters at the art, one you would not normally find.  He looked down  at his watch, for a brief moment, and then cast his gaze back upon the sun again. Today was the 20th of March, a day to celebrate the birth of spring. Children would soon spring out of bed to feel the glorious breeze, and his own son would have a blast at his baseball game. “If Only,” the gentleman sighed, and then started back for his flower-ornamented house, dragging his expensive black shoes against the muddy dirt. He would have to shine them later, but he had the time. After all, he was a well respected wealthy man. He was Jonathan Goodman, a highly intellectual man working at a Software company. He had only two things on his agenda. One, The all important business meeting with his bosses, one that would make his career, or destroy it. The other, we have already hinted at, his little boy’s baseball game.

Most men would have enjoyed the game, or at least a small work day. Jonathan was overjoyed about playing with his boy in his garden, maybe chasing him in his maze, or going on their very own rollercoaster. The only thing that made him melancholy, readers, is something you may have already guessed. His meeting and his boy’s baseball game were at the same time! Thus he trudged sadly on, back towards his home. He opened his big wooden door, and went inside. He had a very homey house, complete with a fireplace, two staircases, a nice extravagant bed, and a small dining table. It was 8:13 am, so before his son’s game at 2:00 pm, he had some time to plan. He sat at his dining table, lit on a small torch, and slumped down in his chair, before sitting straight and leaning his head upon his chin. Moving the meeting was out of the question, he pushed the meeting too far back. And even through all of his asking, he still didn’t have enough influence to move the baseball game. He needed to come up with a plan B.

Then his conclusion came to him. It wasn’t a very helpful conclusion, but it was the only thing that could be done. He would have to go tell his boss that he couldn’t make it. He did not want to disappoint his boy, so he decided not to tell him about it. Then he heard a sound of rapid footsteps. His boy was racing down the stairs. “Hey Dad! Look at my mail! It’s about my game!” Jonathan looked at his son’s phone. The game had been moved to 4:00. No words could explain his excitement. He had a blast with his son the entire day, running in the hot sun, Chasing him in the maze, Going on their rollercoaster, and chasing him even more. He had a successful business meeting, and he went out and smelt the beautiful air again as he headed for his son’s baseball game.

But all he saw was his son, gloomily sitting at the top pew, tears rolling down his cheek. There was no game. The wind blew stronger than ever, and the sun hid behind the clouds. Jonathan was astonished. He was absolutely sad. He stood in despair as he tried to help. So it was for an entire 30 minutes. When he finally made up his mind, he went over to his son and put his hand on his shoulder. He was confused. He had no idea what to say or do. Then they went home, with their eyes fixated on the floor, only briefly looking up to check that the cold cold road was clear. He went back home, told his boy to take a nap, and returned to his usual thinking stance at the dining table, wondering how to fix it. Then it hit him.

The next day, the clouds had lifted, it was a sunny day, with the birds chirping in the trees, and the ever changing clouds, picturing only joy and happiness. Even Jonathan was happy. He took his boy over to the baseball stadium, and what his boy saw was beyond his wildest dreams. The entire baseball team was there, The opposing team as well. Every single bleacher spot was filled, and some people even had to bring chairs from home. There was one empty spot right next to the field, which Jonathan quickly filled. Jonathan couldn’t wait for his son to start playing. He was nowhere near disappointed. Jonathan’s team won! It was long, and every one was about to leave. Jonathan waited for them to get a few yards away, and then cried out “Lunch is on me!” Within an instant every last one of them were back, and they all enjoyed small meals at a fast-food joint.

That night, when Jonathan was fast asleep, his boy picked up his phone and quietly called his friend Patrick. Patrick didn’t pick up, so he left a message. “Hey Patrick, Thanks for telling me about Dad’s predicament. Your Dad, being my Dad’s boss must have really helped you. Anyway, thanks for sending me that fake message. I do admit, not playing at the baseball game was hard for me. Those were real tears you saw, not acting ones. Yes, yes, I know you were spying on us. And no, I won’t tell your dad. I know you were at the game. I saw you, at the very back pew, with your binoculars. Seriously, dude, It’s like, 15 yards! I can’t believe Dad went out of his way for me like that. I guess a father’s love has no boundaries. Well, neither does a son’s.