Then Sandra Brought Out the Keys

After dinner, Sandra stood.

“I have one more surprise.”

Chloe covered her face.

“Mom, what did you do?”

Sandra smiled.

“Come outside.”

Everyone followed.

Parked in the driveway was a white compact SUV with a giant ribbon across the hood.

Chloe screamed.

“No way!”

Sandra held up a set of keys.

“Congratulations, sweetheart.”

Chloe hugged her.

Relatives clapped.

Phones came out.

Ava stood near the back of the group.

She smiled because everyone else was smiling.

Mark walked beside her.

“Pretty nice, huh?”

Ava nodded.

“Yeah.”

Something about his expression made her think another surprise was coming.

Maybe not a car.

She wasn’t expecting that.

But maybe something similar.

After all, Mark had spent months talking about how difficult commuting to college would be.

He knew Ava’s campus was nearly forty minutes away.

He had even said:

“We’ll figure transportation out.”

So Ava waited.

Her Gift Was an Envelope

Back inside, Sandra handed Ava a small card.

“Your turn.”

Ava smiled.

“Thanks.”

She opened it.

Inside was a handwritten note.

And a prepaid transit card.

$50.

Ava stared at it.

For a second, she thought it was a joke.

Sandra smiled.

“That should help with the bus until you figure out your schedule.”

Ava looked toward the window.

Chloe’s brand-new SUV was still visible outside.

Then she looked down at the card again.

“Is this… my graduation gift?”

The room became quieter.

Sandra’s expression changed.

“Well, yes.”

Ava nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Mark frowned.

“Wait.”

Sandra looked toward him.

“What?”

Mark pointed at the envelope.

“That’s what you got Ava?”