Grandpa saw me get out of a cab and asked, “Where’s your birthday BMW?” Mom laughed and said, “Oh, we gave it to your sister!” He went quiet for a moment… then called his lawyer the next day.

When we came back out, everyone looked up.

My mother’s smile faltered.

Neither Grandpa nor I spoke.

But his hand rested on my shoulder—and that said more than words ever could.

Two weeks later, my mother called. Three times.