Chapter 1: The Boy Who Learned to See Beauty
My stepmom mocked me for doing makeup on my 70-year-old grandma and laughed at her for going on a date — my dad's "wake-up call" wiped the smile off her face
I'm a fourteen-year-old boy, and makeup is my hobby.
I started learning because of Grandma.
She lost Grandpa forty years ago and spent the rest of her life taking care of everyone except herself.
She stopped dating, wearing the colorful dresses she once loved, and doing her makeup.
Grandma didn't stop living — she just stopped living for herself.
A few months ago, her high school sweetheart, Thomas, found her online.
His parents had separated them as teenagers, and they hadn't seen each other in fifty-five years.
Last Saturday, he finally asked her to dinner.
Grandma almost canceled.
"He remembers me at fifteen," she whispered.
"What if he sees me and feels disappointed?"
"Then let's show him how beautiful seventy looks."
I'd watched hundreds of makeup tutorials, so I kept everything soft and natural.
When I finished, Grandma gazed into the mirror for several seconds.
Then she smiled.
I'd never seen her eyes sparkle like that.
Unfortunately, my dad's new wife, Melissa, stepped in.
She looked Grandma up and down and burst out laughing.
"Seriously?
You're seventy.
At your age, I'd stay home, knit, and be grateful anyone remembers I'm alive."
Grandma's smile vanished.
Then Melissa noticed the brushes in my hands.
"And YOU did this?"
She laughed even harder.
"Fourteen-year-old boys used to play football.
Your father must be so proud you're painting old ladies' faces."
I saw Grandma quietly reach for a tissue to wipe off the lipstick.
What Melissa didn't know was that Dad had just come home.
And he'd heard everything from behind the half-open door.
He didn't confront her right away.
Instead, several minutes later, he walked into the room carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box.
"For you, Melissa."
Her entire attitude changed.
"For me?"
She grinned, clearly expecting something expensive, and eagerly pulled off the ribbon.
Dad just stood there watching.
Melissa opened the lid.
Her smile disappeared.
She stared at what he'd placed inside, then looked at Dad.
Her face turned bright red.
"Is this a freaking joke?!"
---
What did Dad put in that box — and what does it mean for Melissa?
May you like
Comment **"NEXT"** if you want Part 2.
👇
