Professor Hayes smiled.
“Your mother came to her first day of college driving a classic white car. They sold it many years ago.
He paused.
I found it.
That afternoon, the three of us left college together.
Outside was a beautiful white car completely restored.
I played the door and I started to cry even more.
In the driver’s seat was one last note.
Written with my mother’s handwriting.
“If you’re reading this, it means you’ve already come further than I could see you. I am proud of you, my child.”
I looked at Professor Hayes.
For weeks I had been convinced that she wanted something terrible from me.
But I was actually protecting one of the most valuable secrets of my life.
And for the first time I understood why he always looked at me for so long.
Actually, he wasn’t looking at me.
In me I saw that young student whom, twenty years ago, I had promised that I would never forget.
