He explained how our grandmother had spent hours on the phone with him, refusing to let her failing health stop her from orchestrating this reunion. She had coordinated every detail, ensuring he caught the earliest flight across the country just to stand behind me on that stage.
We walked across the courtyard together, no longer the isolated student standing in the shadows, but two brothers walking side by side. For the first time in a year, the heavy weight on my chest lifted, replaced by the warmth of family and true reconciliation.
Lucas smiled, pointing toward the parking area where a familiar silver van was parked near the front gates. In the passenger seat, framed by the open window with a bouquet of yellow roses resting on her lap, sat my grandmother, waving proudly at the both of us.
