The next morning, Marlene was surprised when Linda returned. “Good morning, Grandma!” Linda said as she opened the curtains. She had come back, despite being a part-time librarian and busy with her studies. Handing Marlene the envelope from the previous day, Linda explained, “I added $4,000 I saved. Now we have enough for your eye surgery!” Tears filled Marlene’s eyes, but she told Linda it was too late for the operation. “I can feel my time is near. I don’t want to waste this money.” Linda promised to stay with her grandmother, taking a month off from school to care for her.
Having Linda around brought Marlene joy. She no longer had to eat stale bread for dinner, and her spirits lifted. One day, Marlene heard voices outside her bedroom and found that Linda had used the money to renovate the house. “I knew you wanted to fix Grandpa’s house. Are you happy, Grandma?” Linda asked. Speechless, Marlene hugged her tightly. A week later, Marlene passed away peacefully, leaving Linda heartbroken.
After the funeral, Linda and Brian were called to a lawyer’s office for the reading of Marlene’s will. Brian was given the house, which frustrated Linda, knowing she had invested in its renovation. Then, the lawyer handed Linda a small box. Inside were five old clocks. Brian laughed, mocking her. “Looks like Grandma knew who deserved the best. Enjoy your rusty clocks, sis!”
Upset, Linda left with the clocks and didn’t think much of them until she noticed an engraving on one: “OPEN IT.” Inside, she found a note from Marlene. “These clocks are 100-year-old timepieces from my grandfather, made from rare metals. Each is worth $40,000! You got the best, Linda. Love, Granny Marlene.” Linda wept with joy, holding the clocks close. She chose not to tell Brian, content knowing that her grandmother had truly left her the greatest gift.