He wiped his eyes.
“That’s why I said she’d kept her promise, even from you.”
“I knew what she’d done.”
I unfolded the letter.
“Mom,
I’m sorry I kept Grandpa a secret. When I found him, I wanted to understand why he left you. He told me his side, but he also admitted he should’ve tried harder to find you. I spent years getting to know him.
He’s kind, funny, and terrible at remembering where he leaves his glasses. And Mom, he loves you. Every time I visited, he asked about you. When I got sick, I started worrying about what would happen after I was gone.”
“I’m sorry I kept Grandpa a secret.”
I wiped away a tear and continued.
“You spent your whole life taking care of me. You gave up so much, trying to save me. I couldn’t bear thinking of you sitting alone, with nobody to call when you needed someone. I know Grandpa can’t replace me. Nobody can.
