The Tale Of Two Rolexes

Meglos

5 months ago

The setting: Downtown Chicago in the early 1990's. My father owns a business in the city but our family lives in the suburbs and I'm in High School.

We aren't rich but we have everything we need and most things we want. Dad helps out others when he can but never lends money unless he can afford to never see it again. He rarely even reminds people about their debts. He figures if he has to ask they can't afford to pay him back.

When his friend Mike is down on his luck Dad lends him money here and there. Over the years, it has started to add up to some real money. Mike wants to pay him back but never can and is ashamed, so he gives Dad two Rolexes instead.

Dad appreciates the gesture, but seems unimpressed. Not surprising considering he has been a Girard Perregaux man since the early 1960's. Mike is told that the watches are considered payment in full and not to worry about the money anymore.

My father wore one watch and gave me the other to wear since I love watches too. He always taught me the value of taking care of things and respecting what I have. I try to look after that watch but after a few weeks while I was rough housing with friends it broke and by broke I mean it completely fell apart.

It's devastating and I dread telling him but I know he values honesty above all else and I want his respect. “Sorry Dad, the Rolex watch you gave me to wear broke.” Without missing a beat he takes the Rolex off his wrist and slams in to the kitchen floor and it breaks too. When he sees my look of shock he laughs and says “That’s ok, it was fake. Mine was fake too.” Then he asks, “Where the hell did you think Mike would get two Rolexes?”

Dad's Test Of His Son:

-Honesty: Passed, A+

-Street Smarts: Incomplete. Will be tested again at a later date.

#rolex #fake #dad #girardperregaux #story