My dear grandfather died when I was just 17 years old, yet I can still clearly recall our time together. He was my best buddy even as a teenager, in addition to being my grandfather.

82 years old, my grandfather was a really amazing man. He had been active all his life and loved old autos. When my mother would drop me off at his apartment on the weekends, we would spend time together fixing his beloved automobile. These times turned into some of my best ones.

Beyond Easy Entertainment
Those were not only enjoyable weekends spent with my grandfather. Even when minor mishaps like tipping over an oil can or damaging the red paint on his cherished Chevy Bel Air occurred, they were full of laughter and fun. It was all a part of the delight and anticipation.

Among the things I liked most about helping my grandfather was that he always put chocolates in the ashtray. He never smoked, preferring to let me indulge my sweet taste. Our time together was made much more memorable by these small acts.

Tragic News
My heart broke in a million pieces the day my mother called my sisters and I together to tell us my grandfather had passed away. For me, he was my confidante and rock, not just my grandfather. Hurrying up to my room, I looked for comfort amid a tumultuous range of feelings.

But the days that followed made my grief even worse. It seemed like everyone was giving me the cold shoulder, and I couldn’t understand why. I eventually plucked up the confidence to ask my mother what was wrong.

Unexpected Death Benefit
To my surprise and delight, my mom revealed that my grandpa had left me his cherished Chevy. I was in disbelief. The car that he had treasured so dearly, the car I had spent countless weekends working on with him, was now mine.

But the joy was short-lived when my mom declared that I wouldn’t be inheriting the car. That destroyed me. It seemed like my grandpa’s pride and joy would be sold to the highest bidder. The lack of respect for my grandpa’s memory made my blood boil.

One Promise Met
Determined to reclaim my grandpa’s beloved Chevy, I decided to get my driver’s license and started working part-time to save money. I attended college and pursued my dream of becoming an engineer. Graduating at the top of my class led to a prestigious job, and at the age of 27, I finally had the chance to fulfill the promise I made to myself a decade earlier. I was going to bring my grandpa’s car back home where it belonged.

Reunion with the Beloved Car
After much searching, I finally found the person who had bought the car from my mother. He was a kind and passionate vintage car enthusiast, much like my grandpa. With his agreement, 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. I learned from the current owner, Michael, that he had never really driven the car. He collected vintage cars and occasionally displayed them. The car had only been explored by me, my grandpa, and a select few others.

An Unexpected Treasure
On my way back home with the Chevy, I couldn’t help but notice something in the ashtray. To my surprise, beneath the removable ashtray, there was an old envelope addressed to me. Inside, a note from my grandpa brought tears to my eyes. He expressed his love for me and revealed a shocking family secret that he had kept quiet to protect me.

Overwhelmed with joy and a renewed sense of love, I drove the rest of the way home, a huge smile on my face. Despite everything, I knew that my grandpa loved me unconditionally. Now, I had the Chevy back in my possession, along with the precious memories it held.

As the gem within the envelope reminded me, my love for vintage cars, for candy, and most importantly, for my grandpa, would forever be intertwined.