Two years ago I lost my family to a car accident caused by a drunk driver. My wife, my daughter, and son were all killed in that accident. It was the worst day of my life. I didn't know what to do with myself.
But then there was Samantha. She was such a wonderful girl. She was my son's girlfriend. Samantha and my son had dated each other since they were each 15 years old. They graduated two weeks before the crash. She was also my daughter's best friend. I considered Samantha like a second daughter. She helped around the house, loved my son, and was just a good person -- my wife and I loved her to death.
Sadly Samantha's parents didn't have a lot of money and she wasn't going to be able to go to college like she had wanted. Well my wife and I had put money back for our kids' education and I approached her about a month after the accident. She had just turned 18 and was working at the diner trying to make some money to save up so that she could at least go to a community college one day.
I went to the diner and sat at Samantha's table. She smiled when she saw me sitting there and gave me a little hug. We chatted for a couple of minutes and she went to place my order. Ever since my wife's passing I had been coming to the diner about three to four times a week as I was a horrible cook.
I ate my dinner and asked Samantha when her shift was over as I wanted to talk to her about something. She said she was actually finishing up. I told her I would give her a ride home if she wanted. She was happy to hear that after being on her feet for 10 hours she didn't have to walk almost a half a mile home.
On the way to her parent's house I took a deep breath and said, "Samantha, you are such a wonderful girl and there is no reason why you shouldn't be going to college in the fall."
"Mr. Anderson you know that I can't afford to go to college and my parents can't help," she quickly said back to me.
"Two things Samantha -- first please call me Mike. We have known each other for years and you are an adult now. There is no reason why you shouldn't call me by my first name. The second thing is, well, with Andy, Madison, and Jess all gone, I wanted to give you this." I handed her an envelope with a letter in it.
As I pulled into her parents drive way she looked at me with a confusing look and took the envelope out of my hand. As she opened it you could tell she was a little worried about what it may say. As she read the letter however this huge smile began to come across her face.
"Oh Mr. Anderson -- I mean Mike, are you sure? I mean -- I don't know what I mean to be honest. I am so shocked"
I looked at Samantha and explained, "Jess and I had put back money for Andy and Madison to go to college. With all that has happened and since you are a part of the family it only seemed right that you get to go to college."
"There is enough money put back for you to go to almost any school you want," I continued, "And depending on the costs of the school whatever is left over each semester will be put into a trust for you for when you graduate."
The tears were coming down both of our faces at that point. Hers were more of excitement and gratitude and mine were due to thinking of my family and how I missed them so much.
"How do I ever repay you Mr. Anderson -- I mean Mike?" she said after she sat there for a couple of minutes re-reading the letter with a huge smile on her face.
"Samantha, just go to college, graduate, and enjoy yourself. That is how you can repay me. And like I said I want to do this -- you are the only family I have." I had to choke back the tears at that moment.
"Oh Mike, you have made me the happiest girl on the earth! Are you sure I can't repay you in any way?" Her face was aglow with happiness until she saw the tears in my eyes. She reached over and brushed them off of my cheeks. She put her arms around me and gave me a squeeze.
We sat there for a couple of minutes hugging one another. Finally, I started to pull back and as I did Samantha gave me a little kiss on my cheek. She said something that I didn't understand so I looked at her and asked her to repeat herself.
"I miss him too," she choked back the tears. Her lip quivered and I took my turn wiping away the tears from her cheeks.
"Oh Samantha, I know you do but you are going to be just fine. You are a young, smart, and beautiful woman. You go to college and have a great time. Honey, you are going to be just fine I promise."