I paused, heart heavy. “I promise.”
A few weeks later, Ben passed peacefully.
I thought Daniel would disappear like everyone else. But the Tuesday after the funeral, he knocked on my door.
“I just wanted to see how you’re doing, Mr. Scott.”
He looked worn out—grief too heavy for someone so young. I invited him in. He handed me a small wooden box he’d made.
“I was going to give this to Ben… I want you to have it.”
Inside were mementos: Ben’s hospital bracelet, a photo of the two boys laughing, and a handwritten note that read: “Thanks for being the best friend ever.”
From then on, every Tuesday, Daniel came by. We’d sit in my kitchen, remembering Ben. We laughed. We cried. Sometimes, we just sat in silence.
“Tell me about the time you two got detention,” I asked him once.
Daniel grinned. “Ben wanted to surprise you with flowers for your birthday, so we snuck out during lunch. Got caught crawling back through the gym window.”
“He never told me that part.”
“He said it would ruin the surprise.”
One day, Daniel mentioned working part-time at the hardware store.
“College might not happen,” he said, stirring his coffee. “Mom’s struggling since Dad left. I’ve got to help at home.”
My heart broke for him.
“What would you study?”
His eyes lit up. “Engineering. Or art. Ben always said I’d be good at both.”
“He was right,” I said quietly.
That night, I remembered my promise to Ben. And I decided it was time to fulfill it.
A week later, I joined my family for dinner at my sister Rebecca’s house. Everything seemed normal until she asked, “Scott, what are you doing with Ben’s college fund?”
The room fell silent.
I set down my fork. “I’m giving it to Daniel.”
Rebecca’s jaw dropped. “Who?”
“Ben’s best friend.”
“That boy from the hospital?” Mom asked. “Sweetheart, that money should stay in the family.”
“It’s $25,000,” Uncle Will added. “Are you sure you’re thinking straight?”
“I’ve never been more certain.”
Rebecca scoffed. “My son’s starting college too. He’s your nephew—your blood.”
I looked around the table. These were the same people who hadn’t called, hadn’t visited, hadn’t cared.
“Blood didn’t show up when I needed it most,” I said.
Dad shifted uncomfortably. “We had our struggles.”
“Like what? You couldn’t visit your dying grandson?”
“I don’t handle hospitals well,” he muttered.
“Neither do I. But I showed up anyway.”
“Scott, that’s not fair,” Mom whispered.
“And where were you, Rebecca? Too busy with work?”
Rebecca frowned. “I had deadlines…”
“And you, Mom? Where were you during Ben’s treatments?”
She sighed. “Hospitals make me anxious.”
I turned to Uncle Will. “You remember when I called you? Just needed someone to sit with Ben so I could shower.”
He looked down. “I had responsibilities too.”
“But Daniel didn’t. A 16-year-old kid showed up every week. Held Ben’s hand. Brought him joy when none of you could bother to send a message.”
“We’re family!” Rebecca shouted. “That boy means nothing to us!”
“No. That boy was family to Ben. More than any of you.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” Aunt Joyce chimed in. “You’re giving money to a stranger.”
“That ‘stranger’ helped me plan Ben’s funeral. He picked Ben’s favorite shirt because he knew what it was.”
“Good deeds don’t equal inheritance,” Dad snapped.
“No, but they show me who truly cared.”
Mom reached for my hand. “Please think about this. Your nephew needs help.”
“He visited Ben once. And complained the entire time.”
“He was uncomfortable,” Rebecca said.
“So was Daniel. So was Ben. But Daniel still came.”
I stood. “Fine. I’ll give you the money—on one condition. Answer this: What was Ben’s last day like?”
Blank stares.
“Do you know what he said when the doctors gave us the news? What song did he want playing? What did he wear?”
No one spoke.
“Daniel knew. Daniel was there. You weren’t.”
“You’re punishing us for not being there,” Uncle Will said bitterly.
“No. I’m honoring the one person who was there.”
“Fine!” Rebecca yelled. “Give it away. But don’t come to us later.”
“I won’t. The only mistake I made was expecting more from you.”
Three weeks later, I helped Daniel move into his dorm.
His desk was lined with engineering textbooks. His sketches—many drawn for Ben—hung proudly on the walls.
“Mr. Scott,” he said, “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You already did,” I smiled. “You earned it.”
“I promise I’ll make you and Ben proud.”
“You already have, son.”
As I left, his roommate smiled. “Your dad seems cool.”
Daniel looked my way. “Yeah. He is.”
And for the first time in a long time, my heart felt whole again.
Because sometimes, the family that matters… is the one you choose.
