I loved my grandma Marlene more than anything in the world. Until about a year ago, I lived with her in her quaint little home, a place filled with her treasured collection of old clocks and the countless stories she shared. That house was my sanctuary, and she was my biggest supporter.
But last year, I had to move away to attend college.
One evening, I received a call from her. Her voice sounded fragile and weak.
“Linda, dear, could you come over? I don’t think I have much time left,” she said softly, almost whispering.
My heart dropped. “Oh, Grandma, please don’t say that! I’ll ask for time off right away and be there in a few days. Don’t worry, okay?”
When I arrived three days later, my older brother Brian was already there. He was a few years older than me and had a harsh, sharp demeanor.
The moment I stepped inside, I ran straight to Grandma and hugged her tightly.
“I’m here, Grandma,” I whispered, a heaviness in my chest.
She smiled weakly, tired but happy to see me.
Meanwhile, Brian looked around with a disapproving scowl.
“At least you could’ve kept the place clean, Grandma. It’s so dusty,” he muttered, brushing off an invisible speck from his jacket.
Seriously, Brian? I thought. Grandma needs love and care, not criticism.
I rolled my eyes and chose to ignore him, not wanting to upset Grandma.
After a few minutes, Grandma gathered us in the cozy living room and handed each of us an envelope.
Inside was $5,000.
“Linda, Brian, I wanted to give you both something,” she said, her voice trembling.
I took her hand gently. “Grandma, you didn’t have to. I’m here to spend time with you, not for money.”
Brian, however, frowned deeply. “Is this all I get? Really?”
Before Grandma could answer, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.
Crazy, I thought.
I stayed by her side in the following days, tidying the house, cooking fresh meals, and fixing things that had long been neglected. She’d been living on stale food, and the house showed years of wear with leaks and cracks.
“You don’t need to do so much, Linda. I don’t want to burden you,” she said softly as I patched a leak.
I smiled, squeezing her hand. “Grandma, I remember how you always wished Grandpa’s house could feel like home again. I had some savings, so I wanted to help. Are you happy now? Is this how you remember it with Grandpa?”
Tears welled in her eyes as she smiled. “Yes, Linda. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Then, one quiet morning, I found her peacefully passed away in her sleep. The house felt empty without her laughter and warmth.
Brian didn’t even come to the funeral. That hurt me deeply, but I focused on honoring Grandma’s memory.
Two weeks later, we were called to the lawyer’s office for the reading of her will. Brian and I sat in silence as the lawyer began.
“Brian,” he said, “you have inherited the house.”
Brian smirked, clearly pleased; he had always wanted the house.
Then the lawyer turned to me with a gentle smile.
“Linda, your grandmother left you her clocks.”
“The… clocks?” I asked, a little disappointed.
He handed me five old, rusty clocks, each tarnished with age. I felt embarrassed as Brian snickered.
But then the lawyer gave me another envelope.
“Your grandmother loved you dearly, Linda,” he said softly.
I opened it to find a note in Grandma’s handwriting:
Linda, never underestimate these rusty old clocks!
They are 100-year-old classic timepieces that belonged to your grandfather. Each is made from rare, exquisite metals and worth around $40,000!
Everyone receives what they truly deserve, my dear. I’m glad you got the very best.
With all my love, Granny Marlene.
My heart raced as I read her words.
“She left nearly $200,000 hidden in these seemingly worn clocks,” the lawyer said with a smile.
Tears blurred my vision as I looked at the clocks. Brian stood up, pale-faced.
“What? Those things are worth that much?” he asked.
I smiled through my tears. “Yes, Brian. Grandma knew exactly what she was doing.”
I held one of the clocks close, feeling its rhythm align with my heartbeat. It was almost like Grandma was still with me.
Thank you, Grandma, I thought, carrying your love and legacy with me forever as I left the office with your treasured clocks.