He reached into his pocket and pulled out a student ID card.
“I’ve enrolled in college,” he revealed.
“You what?”
“I’m taking online classes at the university. I’m majoring in Economics,” he said, a mix of pride and embarrassment in his expression.
“Those ‘chess club meetings’ were actually my virtual classes. I was too shy to share.
I worried you’d think I was being foolish at my age.”
“Foolish?” I exclaimed, tears welling in my eyes.
“Dad, this is incredible! But why didn’t you just tell me? There’s nothing to hide.”
He reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
“I didn’t want you to stress about the money,” he explained.
“College is expensive, and I know you’re relying on my savings for your boys’ education.”
“Oh, Dad,” I stood up and hugged him tightly.
“You don’t need to worry about that. Your grandsons would be so proud knowing their grandpa’s in college!
This is fantastic!”
These days, our evenings have taken on a new flavor.
Sometimes we all gather together while Dad attends his “chess club” meetings (his secret code for online classes). Leo assists him with computer issues, and Ryan enjoys quizzing him with flashcards.
Just last week, when he earned an A on his first economics paper, we celebrated with his favorite chocolate cake.
This entire episode taught me how assumptions can lead you down a path of needless worry, only to uncover something beautiful at the end.
My father wasn’t ensnared in a scam; he was pursuing a long-buried dream.
Watching him chase this dream has reminded us all that it’s never too late to embark on a new journey.
