\u201cThis is for you, Grandma and Grandpa,\u201d I thought as I put on my cap and gown. I couldn\u2019t wait to see my grandparents\u2019 proud faces when I walked across the stage. They had given me everything.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, I heard someone call my name. \u201cSarah?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
I turned around and saw a man I didn\u2019t recognize. He had a kind face but looked a bit worn out. \u201cYes, that\u2019s me,\u201d I said cautiously.<\/p>\n
He smiled, his eyes sad. \u201cIt\u2019s me, your father.\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt my breath catch. \u201cMy father? No, my father left me when I was two.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
His face fell. \u201cNo, that\u2019s not true. I\u2019ve been looking for you all these years. Your grandparents hid you from me.\u201d The man opened his wallet and showed me my childhood photo with a young man I knew as my father. This was the only photo of him I\u2019ve ever seen.<\/p>\n
My mind spun. \u201cWhat? They said you abandoned me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pulled out his phone and showed me text messages. Angry, hurtful words from my grandmother. \u201cThey told me to stay away, Sarah. They never wanted me around.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
Tears filled my eyes. Could this be true? My grandparents had lied to me?<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Sarah. But I\u2019m here now. I\u2019ve always wanted to be part of your life,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n
I saw my grandparents sitting in the audience, smiling and waving at me. My emotions were in turmoil. I couldn\u2019t believe they had lied to me for so long. I marched over to them, anger boiling inside me.<\/p>\n