Some people look back on childhood with memories of sunny days, bedtime stories, and family dinners. For Tom, childhood was different—filled with uncertainty and noise. That is, until one person changed everything: his grandmother, Grace.
Tom’s early life was anything but stable. His mother, Delia, often chased unreliable partners, and his older sister, Cynthia, followed a similar path. Tom stayed quiet, barely noticed amid the chaos. But when he was six, everything shifted.
Grace showed up one day, gently packed his small belongings, and said, “You’re coming home with me, Tom.” From that moment, her house became his real home.
She supported him through every stage of life—attending school plays, writing notes in his lunchbox, and even selling a cherished necklace to help with college textbooks. Grace wasn’t loud, but she was strong. Her love was steady, quiet, and unconditional.
When Grace passed away, Tom was twenty-six. He had grown, but in that moment, he felt like a child again—lost and grieving.
At the reading of her will, Tom sat quietly while Delia and Cynthia waited expectantly. Delia inherited the house. Cynthia got the car. Tom received an envelope.
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