I was furious. Grandpa had worked so hard on that car, and now my mom was selling it. The disrespect infuriated me, and I spent the rest of the day in my room, grappling with my emotions.
Despite my pleas over the next week, my mother refused to change her mind. The car was sold, and I watched as a buyer drove it away for $70,000. I felt a pang of disappointment, but it was then I resolved to get the Chevy back.
From that day on, my relationship with my mother was strained. My sisters seemed jealous because Grandpa had left me the car while they only received $4,000 each. It made sense to me since I had spent weekends with Grandpa, whereas they had been uninterested. I went on to get my license, work part-time, and save money.
I used my passion for machinery to excel in college and became an engineer. At 27, I finally had the chance to fulfill my promise to Grandpa. I tracked down the man who bought the Chevy and arranged to see it. The car was in pristine condition, just as Grandpa had kept it. The owner, Michael, was reluctant to sell but agreed to part with it for $80,000. I gladly paid the price and drove the Chevy home, thrilled to have it back.
On my way home, I noticed the ashtray’s lid was closed. Curious, I opened it and found an old envelope with my name on it. It was Grandpa’s handwriting. Inside was a heartfelt note:
Graham,
I hope you’ll enjoy this car as much as I did. I’ve taught you how to care for it, so I expect you to keep it shining.
Your sisters and mom might be upset, but that’s beside the point. You’re the only one I consider family. Your mother is the result of a relationship I kept quiet about. You’ve been like a son to me. That’s why I’m leaving you the Chevy and little else. They know about their real granddad and kept you out of it because of our closeness. You deserve to know that I love you.
Enjoy the ride,
Grandpa
Tears welled up as I read the note. It was incredibly touching. Driving home with the Chevy, I felt a profound connection to Grandpa. I almost forgot about the envelope until I reached home and noticed something rattling inside. I flipped the envelope over and saw a large gem. On the back, it read, “I had no doubt that you would find the candy.”