I was only 17 years old when my grandpa passed away, but I can still vividly remember the day. It was a usual day after school when my mom gathered me and my sisters together. It was unusual for her to have time to sit down and talk with us, considering her night shifts. I knew something was wrong when I saw the serious look on her face before she broke the news.

My grandpa, who was 82 years old at the time, was a remarkable man. He had always been active and had a deep love for vintage cars. He would often take me to car shows, instilling in me a passion for anything with an engine. Although he couldn’t afford to own a collection of vintage cars like his friends, he had one special vehicle that he cherished.

Weekends with Grandpa

Every weekend, my mom would drop me off at my grandpa’s place so we could spend time together and work on his beloved car. I always thought my mom did it to strengthen our bond, but little did I know, she had ulterior motives. Those weekends with my grandpa created some of my fondest memories. Even when accidents happened, like when I accidentally knocked over the oil can or when my grandpa scratched the red paint on his Chevy Bel Air, it was all part of the fun.

I especially loved helping my grandpa because he always filled the ashtray with candy. He never smoked and encouraged me to satisfy my sweet tooth instead. My sisters, on the other hand, preferred spending time with our two cousins instead of helping grandpa. We were never close, but I didn’t mind. I cherished every moment I spent with my grandpa.

The Heartbreaking News

When my mom sat us down to break the news of my grandpa’s passing, my heart broke. He was not just my grandpa; he was my best friend, even throughout my teenage years. I rushed up to my room, spending the rest of the evening there. The next morning, when I walked down to the kitchen still in my pajamas, I felt a sense of isolation. Everyone seemed to be giving me the cold shoulder.

Thinking they were upset with me for leaving abruptly, I apologized to my sisters. However, they snorted and walked away, leaving me feeling even more dejected. I sought out my mom to find out what was wrong.

“Honey, your sisters are just a little jealous. If you hadn’t stormed off, you would have heard that your granddad left you his Chevy,” my mom explained.

A Dream Fulfilled

I couldn’t believe it. Grandpa’s Chevy? He would never allow anyone else to have it. It was his pride and joy. I couldn’t even drive properly at that point.

“Don’t get too excited. You’re behaving like a vulture. I’ve decided that you won’t inherit it,” my mom stated, adding to my shock.

That day was too much to handle, and I hadn’t even eaten breakfast. My mom continued, “You can’t drive yet, my love. If you had taken your driving test last year as I told you to, maybe I would have considered letting you keep the car. But now, I’ve decided to sell it and divide the money between you, your sisters, and your cousins. It’s only fair.”

I was furious. My grandpa had poured his heart and soul into that car, and now my mom was going to sell it to the highest bidder. The lack of respect made my blood boil. I spent the rest of the day locked in my room, trying to process the emotions swirling inside me.

A Promise to Keep

No matter how much I pleaded in the following weeks, my mother remained firm. As far as she was concerned, the car was already sold. Finally, a buyer came forward and offered my mom $70,000 for the car. I watched as he drove it away, feeling a pang of disappointment from my grandpa.

From that point on, my relationship with my mother was rocky. My sisters harbored jealousy because I inherited a car while they only received $4,000 each. But it made sense. I had spent every weekend with my grandpa, while they chose to do other things instead of helping him. Determined to get the car back, I got my driver’s license and started working part-time to save money.

After building up enough savings, I attended college and pursued my dream of becoming an engineer. Graduating at the top of my class led to a prestigious job at a high-end engineering company. At the age of 27, I finally had the chance to fulfill the promise I made to myself ten years before – I was going to reclaim my grandpa’s beloved Chevy.

The Reunion

I managed to track down the man who bought the car and called him. He was a kind and passionate vintage car enthusiast like my grandpa. After a while, he agreed to let me see the car. So, I embarked on a road trip back to my hometown, where the car was waiting for me.

As I stood in front of the car, it felt like a dream. The vibrant color, the well-maintained condition, it was like new. The current owner, Michael, confessed that he had never really driven the car. Instead, he collected various vintage cars and occasionally displayed them. I was thrilled to learn that only three people, excluding my grandpa and me, had ever set foot in the car.

Overwhelmed with joy, I made a deal with Michael and purchased the car for $80,000. It was a significant amount, but it was worth every penny. I hopped into the car, grinning from ear to ear, and drove it back home. Later, I would retrieve my other car, but for now, the Chevy was all that mattered.

A Touching Revelation

On my way home, I couldn’t help but notice the closed lid of the ashtray. With a faint smile, I opened it for old times’ sake, not expecting to find anything inside. As I suspected, it was empty. But underneath the removable ashtray, there was a white piece of paper sticking out. Carefully, I pulled on it, and to my surprise, it wouldn’t budge. I had to stop at a gas station, park, and examine the ashtray properly.

Beneath the plastic ash collection bowl lay an old envelope with my name written on it in my grandpa’s handwriting. The envelope had yellowed with age, and it felt heavy and lumpy. With trembling hands, I took it out and tore open the top. Inside, a note awaited me:

“Graham, I hope you’ll cherish and take care of this car as much as I did. I’ve taught you how to look after it, and I trust that you’ll keep it shining. By now, your sisters and mother are probably upset with you, but that doesn’t matter. You’re the only one I consider family. You see, your grandmother had a secret. She had someone on the side, and I knew about it all along. I chose to keep quiet to avoid rocking the boat. Your mother is the result of that relationship. I’ve known the truth from the start. I don’t have any legitimate children, but that doesn’t matter because you have been like a son to me. That’s why I’m leaving you the Chevy and very little to anyone else. They know about their real grandfather, but they kept you out of it because we had such a strong bond, and you were the youngest. But you deserve to know that I love you, no matter what. Enjoy the ride, Grandpa”

Unconditional Love

I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. It was such a touching revelation. With a renewed sense of joy, I drove the rest of the way home, a huge smile on my face. Despite the shocking truth about my family, I knew that my grandpa loved me unconditionally. Now, I had the Chevy back in my possession, with the person it truly belonged to. I was filled with happiness, momentarily forgetting about the envelope.

As I parked at home just a few minutes ago, I remembered the envelope. I picked it up from the ashtray and could hear something rattling inside. When I opened it, I discovered a magnificent gem. I was in awe. On the back of the envelope, my grandpa had scrawled, “I never doubted that you would find the candy.”

And just like that, my love for vintage cars, for candy, and most importantly, for my grandpa, became intertwined forever.