I smiled too.
Three weeks later, an email arrived.
I’d been accepted.
The scholarship covered my tuition and some other costs. I still needed to plan for housing and everyday expenses.
I smiled too.
But I’d earned my place.
I showed Aunt Ria.
“I’m proud of you, my sweetheart. Your dad would be too.”
That afternoon, I emailed the college about housing and support for students with hearing loss.
Then I sat at the kitchen table, comparing room costs.
I’d earned my place.
Aunt Ria appeared beside me.
“Need a hand?”
I looked at the figures.
A few months earlier, I would’ve insisted I was fine.
Instead, I moved my laptop toward her.
“Actually, yes. Can you help me work out a budget?”
I would’ve insisted I was fine.
“Of course, sweetheart.”
We spent the next hour making plans.
Later, I placed Dad’s photograph beside my acceptance letter.
