The
Special Gift
by Janet
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program
"Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and
have been used without permission. No
copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.
Tom and Victoria Barkley sat in the living room of their
home on Christmas Eve. The boys,
Jarrod, 11, and Nick, 7, had gone to bed several hours ago anticipating the
arrival of Christmas morning.
Tom placed the object in the small box careful not to
damage it as he placed the box under the tree.
“I do hope that Jarrod likes this,” he said turning to his
wife. “It’s something I hope he will
treasure for the rest of his life.”
“I’m sure he will,” she replied smiling. “After all it came from his father. That will mean a lot to him.”
“I’m not so sure,” he told her. “After all that’s happened between us, I don’t know if he will
even accept it.”
“Tom,” she said looking into his blue eyes, “that was two
years ago almost. I’m sure that Jarrod
has forgotten about that time.”
“No,” he replied shaking his head. “He hasn’t forgotten. I found him the other day sitting in the
loft of the barn crying. When I asked
him what was wrong, he wouldn’t answer me.
I’m sure it had to do with that dreadful trip to Denver and the tragedy
that followed.”
“You can’t keep blaming yourself,” she told him taking his
hand in hers. “What happened to your
father was an accident.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
“That part was but not the rest.
I put that boy through hell and I can’t tell you why. I should never have raised my hand to
him. I never meant to hurt him that
much.”
“He knows that,” she said smiling. “Jarrod has forgiven you and there is
nothing for you to blame yourself for.
That gift will mean a lot to him.”
“I hope so,” he replied standing up.
Early the next morning, Nick hurried into Jarrod’s room
pulling on his brother to get up.
“Come on Jarrod,” he said shaking Jarrod. “It’s time to open gifts. I can’t wait.”
“All right,” Jarrod replied shaking the sleep from his
eyes. “I’m coming.”
The two of them hurried into the living room where their
parents were waiting for them.
“Before you jump into the gifts,” Tom said holding the
small box in his hand, “I want Jarrod to open this one first. It’s a very special gift.”
Jarrod took the box from his father and sitting down in a
nearby chair opened the box with extreme care.
When he saw what was inside, he started to cry. He recognized it immediately having seen his
grandfather carry it.
“It was your grandfather’s pocket watch,” Tom said looking
at Jarrod. “I know he would want you to
have it.”
“How did you get it?” he asked looking up. “I mean...”
“Your grandmother gave it to me after his death,” Tom answered. “I put it up for a year afraid that it would
bring back too many bad memories for you.
But the more I thought about it the more I realized that that watch was
from someone you loved and cared about.
That’s why I am giving it to you now.”
“I don’t know what to say,” he said still crying. “I will take good care of it and think of
grandfather every time I use it.”
“Look on the back,” Tom replied. “There’s a special inscription.”
Jarrod turned the watch over reading the inscription. It read: From Charles to my son Tom. From Tom to my son Jarrod. Jarrod ran to his father throwing his arms
around his father’s neck.
“I love you father,” he said.
“I love you too son,” Tom replied.