Before leaving, Oliver gave me a small painted stone marked “Kevin II,” named after a worm he’d once discovered in my garden.
I cried when their moving truck disappeared.
The following months were difficult.
Marissa kept Oliver away from me.
I spent Christmas alone.
But on Christmas Eve, a message arrived from my grandson.
“Merry Christmas, Grandma. I love the telescope you gave me. I saw Saturn!”
I held my phone against my chest and cried.
Then, on January 15, an envelope arrived.
Inside was a $200 check from Daniel.
The memo read:
“1 of 195.”
His letter explained that he intended to repay the $38,940 I’d spent supporting his family.
He’d finally realized how much I’d sacrificed.
The checks continued arriving.
Months later, Daniel invited me to lunch.
“I got promoted, Mom,” he said. “And I understand now. You were carrying responsibilities that should have been mine.”
Then he asked whether I could forgive him.
