At Grandpa’s funeral, 18-year-old Dahlia felt lonely as her family was angry about the small inheritance of only $1. But when a stranger handed her a secret note, Dahlia was pulled into a mystery only she could solve.
I stood by the grave, my hands stuffed in the pockets of my black dress that felt too small, listening to the priest’s voice mix with the sound of the wind.
I could feel the bitterness in the chilly October air, thick like syrup. Grandpa left us only one dollar each in his will, and my family was furious. But me? I wasn’t angry. I just felt… empty.
Grandpa wasn’t supposed to be gone. He was the only one who saw me for who I really was, not as the kid who always messed up. He cared when no one else did.
I stared at the flowers on his coffin. I had brought a red rose, which stood out against the white daisies everyone else placed.
“One dollar,” Aunt Nancy hissed behind me. “That’s all we get from a man who had so much?”
Uncle Vic laughed bitterly. “He did this on purpose, just to mess with us.”
“Typical Dad,” my mom said, crossing her arms. “He always had favorites. Dahlia was his favorite. Bet she got something else we don’t know about.”
Aunt Nancy’s eyes narrowed at me. “What did you get, Dahlia? Don’t lie, you must have something.”
I stiffened. “I got the same as you.”
Mom’s hand gripped my shoulder. “Are you sure? You were always with him. Maybe he told you something. Think hard, Dahlia. You owe it to the family.”
Memories of Grandpa’s silly stories about hidden treasure and the butterscotch candies in his coat pocket came flooding back. He’d always say, “One day, kiddo, I’m leaving you treasure.” But I thought it was just a joke.
I shook my head and looked back at the coffin. “Grandpa gave me his love, his stories, and a home. That’s worth more than money.”
“Nobody cares about that!” Mom snapped. “What happened to all his money?”
I shrugged. I didn’t know, and honestly, I didn’t care. Grandpa was gone, and all they could think about was money.
“She’s hiding something,” Vic muttered.
Their voices swirled around me, accusing and angry. But I had no secrets that could get them money.
When they realized there was no fortune, they walked away, still bickering. It made me sick.
“You must be Dahlia,” said a woman’s voice.
I looked up to see an older woman with kind eyes and a worn leather bag. She smiled like she knew something no one else did.
“I was a friend of your grandpa’s,” she said, leaning closer. “He asked me to give you this.”
She slipped a folded note into my hand. “Don’t let your family see it,” she whispered before disappearing into the crowd.
My heart raced as I opened the note: 111 locker – Southern Railway Station.
I froze, staring at the words. Then, it hit me—Grandpa’s “treasure.” I laughed out loud, surprising myself. He wasn’t joking after all.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. The note was under my pillow. Grandpa’s voice echoed in my head: Locker number 111… there’s treasure in there, kiddo!
A mix of grief and hope filled me. What if Grandpa really had left something for me?
The next morning, I called a cab. As I quietly left the house, I could hear Mom on the phone, probably still complaining about Grandpa’s will. I slipped outside, the cold air hitting me like a slap.
The ride to the train station felt endless. My knee bounced with nerves as we passed graffiti-covered walls and empty coffee shops. The driver didn’t say a word.
At the station, I asked him to wait. Clutching the note, I entered the bustling station. It smelled like diesel and popcorn. People rushed by—commuters and travelers with places to go.
I felt small, but Grandpa’s voice came to me again: Real treasure, kiddo.
I found locker 111. The key was taped to the back of the note. With shaking hands, I unlocked it.
Inside was an old duffel bag, heavy and faded. My heart pounded as I unzipped it.
It was full of cash. Bundles of hundred-dollar bills. I gasped. There had to be $150,000 in there.
Another note was inside, written in Grandpa’s handwriting: For my granddaughter, everything I saved is yours. Live free, kiddo. I’ve always believed in you.
ears filled my eyes. This wasn’t just money. It was freedom. Grandpa knew how much I needed to escape. And now, he’d given me the chance, tricking everyone else in the process.
I zipped the bag, slung it over my shoulder, and left the station. The morning sun was peeking through the clouds. For the first time in years, I felt light.
On the way back, I stared out the window, thinking. No more family dinners where I was ignored. No more feeling like the family scapegoat.
I could leave. I could start over.
When the cab pulled up to my house, I made my decision. I wasn’t staying another minute.
I didn’t even go inside. I booked a ticket and told the driver to take me straight to the airport.
With the duffel bag in my lap and Grandpa’s note in my pocket, I smiled for the first time in days.
I was free. And now I finally understood what that meant.
