Chapter 2: A Teacher’s Kindness, A New Beginning

At home, Grandma Stone was waiting on the sofa. When she saw me, she muttered about pie and fished in her pocket. Mr. Stone said she was calling me, maybe because I bought her pot pie the day I found her. “Pie, candy.” Grandma Stone tottered over with her cane, and I hurried to support her. She stuffed a handful of butterscotch candies into my hand. Tears sprang to my eyes. That day, Grandma Stone had given me a butterscotch too. I said it was tasty, so she agreed to eat the pot pie I bought her.

After giving me candy, she led me to the dining table. “Pie, eat.” The housekeeper had already made dinner. Mr. Stone sat down, and Grandma Stone gestured to him. “Okay, eat first, then play.” Mr. Stone smiled, served her soup, and after dinner, asked me to video call his daughter. I dialed, and as soon as the call connected, a voice exclaimed, “Wow! I have a sister now. Hello, sis!”

It was Julia Stone, Mr. Stone’s daughter, four years older than me.

“Pie.” Grandma Stone pointed at me, then at Julia. “Dumpling.”

“Right, she’s Pie, I’m Dumpling,” Julia said, rolling her eyes. “All the kids in our family are named after food.”

Julia was a riot. She chatted with Grandma Stone for a while, then had the housekeeper take her to rest. Before hanging up, Julia told me to open a room. “The study is the biggest, with its own bathroom. I had the housekeeper move the books to my room. I didn’t know what you liked, so I decorated it as I thought best. How is it? Does your big sister have good taste?”

“It’s beautiful, I love it.” My voice cracked. Julia quickly cut me off. “Don’t cry, your acting is so natural, how can I compete as an actress?”

She was so funny, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s the bathroom. I put pajamas on the bed. Remember to take them when you shower. Here’s the closet. I didn’t know your size, so I bought a few online. Try them on, and if they fit, I’ll buy more.” Julia thought of everything. After showing me around, she told me to sleep early. “Good night.”

“Good night!” I replied, smiling through tears. When the call ended, I just let the tears fall. They were too good to me. Life here was like a whole new world.

It was summer break, so I had no homework. Mr. Stone bought me workbooks after checking with my teachers. Most days, I kept Grandma Stone company and did practice problems—no pressure, just peace. The family was great: Grandma Stone was playful and sweet, Dad was calm and scholarly, Julia was a total character. Even though I hadn’t changed what I called them, they already felt like my real family. And Ms. Carter. At the end of summer break, I went back to visit her.

Ms. Carter had become a homeroom teacher because the last one got fired for taking bribes, helping students cheat, and turning a blind eye to bullying. Sydney’s parents, after their business collapsed, reported her. She was fired, the shop closed, and her family was a mess. Ms. Carter said she got divorced. “Oh.” I wasn’t sure what to say, but Ms. Carter grabbed my hand. “Did you hear about Mason?”

“Huh? What?” I perked up.

“A few days ago, Mason drowned while playing at the bay.”

I hadn’t expected that.

“His family made a scene, demanding compensation from the other kids’ parents. But it was Mason who invited them, and he insisted on going into deep water.”

“His mom came to school to get his things. Her hair had turned white.”

Ms. Carter’s voice was thick with emotion, and so was I. Good thing I came back today—if I’d come earlier, they might’ve blamed me for Mason’s accident.

After dinner with Ms. Carter, we walked near my family’s old shop, and suddenly someone rushed out. “Mom wasn’t mistaken, it’s really you, Morgan!”

“Huh?” I stepped back, squinting—it was my mom. She looked thinner, hair almost all white, wild and unwashed. She sat down on the ground and cried, “Morgan, your brother is gone, he drowned, but that psychic said he lacked water in his fate... Wrong! All wrong!”

She sobbed, “He said you were bad, but what did any of that have to do with you? Your brother was my favorite, but he always vomited milk, had a bad stomach, was skinny and not as healthy as you. Your grandpa smoked and drank, and by the time we found out, it was late-stage lung cancer. He should have died then! And your grandma, if you hadn’t gone up the hill to find her, she’d have frozen to death. She only lived eight or nine more years because of you! When you took care of her, she was fine, but after you left...”

My grandma died. Mom was busy with Dad in the hospital, my sister left, so only Mason was home to care for Grandma, but he did nothing. The neighbors found out, and by then, in the summer heat, the body had already started to rot.

Mom tried to clear my name. “She deserved it, never appreciated your kindness when alive.” She looked at me, desperate. “Morgan, don’t you think Mom’s right?”

I kept my face blank. “Mm.”

Seeing my indifference, Mom got frantic, lunging at me. “Morgan, Mom was wrong before, it’s all Mom’s fault. Morgan, can you forgive Mom?” she wept. “Give me a chance to make it up to you. Morgan, if you come back to me, I’ll treat you well!”

“What about the 180,000 from the Stones? Give it back and I’ll go home.”

“Well...” Mom looked shifty. “Your dad was in the hospital, we had to pay people...”

So, after blowing most of the 180,000, she wanted me back to sell me again? Not a chance.

I turned to leave, but she grabbed me. “Morgan, I’ll be honest. Your dad blames me for the accident, but it was your grandma who was yelling, and your dad sped up and ran the red light. He killed his own mom, and now blames me, saying I caused your grandma and Mason’s deaths. But you know it’s not true, how could I hurt my own son?”

Talking about Mason, she looked crushed, gripping my hand tighter. “With Mason gone and your sister out of touch... Morgan, you’re all I have, you have to help me!”

When I transferred my guardianship, my sister did too. I don’t know where she went, but it had to be better than here. I pried Mom’s fingers off and smiled. “You forgot what Dad said—180,000, and I’m a Stone. Your family’s affairs are none of my business!”

I walked away with Ms. Carter, ignoring her wailing behind me.

When school started, I got into the best high school and class in the city with my old grades. The teachers and classmates were nice, and I made new friends. My deskmate, Grace Lin, was a total optimist. At first, I wasn’t used to it, so she reassured me, promising she’d always have my back. Grace loved explaining problems, but always lost her train of thought halfway, so I’d help her organize, and she’d finish. Afterwards, she’d always ask, “Morgan, did you get it?” I answered her with my grades.

In the first monthly exam, I did great, ranking ninth in the year. Ms. Lin nearly shook me dizzy. “Ah! Morgan, I moved up six places! Finally not last in class!” To celebrate, she took me out to eat. “Morgan, you don’t know, the best food is in these alleys.” She acted like an expert, not noticing the people trailing us. I messaged Mr. Stone, pulling her toward a crowd, but she dragged me back. “Morgan, you’re going the wrong way, this way! Are you hungry? Why so fast?”

“...” I said nothing, because as soon as we turned, a group was waiting. A girl stood up, took a drag from her cigarette, and blew smoke in our faces. “Which of you is Grace Lin?”

“Me.” I stepped in front of Grace. “What do you want?”

“You? Alex likes you?” She looked me up and down, sneering. “Not much.”

She stepped back, signaled, and they surrounded us.

“What are you doing!”

It was Mr. Stone! They scattered. Mr. Stone drove Grace home, and before going in, she whispered, “If my mom asks, say you don’t know, and don’t mention Alex!”

“Got it!” I nodded, just as the door opened.

“Mr. Stone?”

“Director Lin?”

Mr. Stone explained to her mom why he brought Grace home. Her mom was grateful and invited us for lunch. At the table, Grace bragged about her exam improvement. Her mom praised her. “Well, that’s because I have a top student deskmate! I’m dumb, but Morgan explains so well! And just now, she protected me!”

“Really? Thank you, Morgan! Come over often.” Her mom smiled at me and Mr. Stone.

On the way home, Mr. Stone got a call, then dropped me at the gate before leaving. He returned late, but was all smiles. “Thanks to Morgan today.”

I was confused, so he explained. Turns out his factory was looking for partners, and Grace’s mom’s company was a top choice. They’d been on the fence, but after today, they wanted to work together. Mr. Stone thought it was all thanks to me helping Grace. But how? It was Mr. Stone who picked me up, and he arrived so fast—it was him who protected us. I tried to explain, but he insisted. “It’s all thanks to Morgan, our family’s little lucky star. You don’t know how many people want to work with Director Lin. Her company’s orders are more than a dozen small companies combined. With this deal, my factory won’t worry for two years.” He was so happy, I couldn’t help but smile too.

After the contract was signed, Mr. Stone got busy. Julia messaged me—she had two drama offers: one with a famous director as the second lead, and another comedy as the lead but with a new director and a shoestring budget. She asked my advice. I told her to pick what she liked. “Wait, soon you’ll see me on TV. The future queen of comedy!”

“Okay!” I replied, and Grandma Stone was thrilled. “Dumpling, queen!”

Later, Julia’s first comedy was a smash hit, while the famous director’s show flopped. Top comedy companies lined up to sign her!

When Mr. Stone had a break, our family had a feast together. The future queen of comedy joined by video call. Mr. Stone summed it up: “Since Morgan came, Grandma smiles more, my factory got a big contract, your sister signed with a company—so much good fortune!”

“Yes! Morgan is our lucky star!” Julia raised her glass on screen. We all did, the glasses clinking, laughter filling the room.

Lucky star... I don’t know, but I do know this is the best arrangement I could ask for.

For the SATs, I scored over 1400. Mr. Stone was thrilled and started prepping for my college applications. Not wanting him to stress, I told him what I wanted. “I want to apply to State University. It’s in this city, close to home so I can be with Grandma, and it’s the best for becoming a teacher...”

I started to say more, but Mr. Stone agreed right away. “Do whatever you want, Morgan. Grandma used to be a teacher and taught so many great students. You’ll be a great teacher, we’ll support you!”

I called Ms. Carter to tell her my results and plans. She cheered, but when I said I wanted to visit, she refused. “Why?”

She mimicked me, then burst out laughing. “Because I’ve been transferred, I’ll be teaching at City Central High!”

Our county high school closed after so many scandals, and Ms. Carter was transferred because she was that good. “That’s great!” I was thrilled, but she turned serious. “From now on, don’t call me Ms. Carter, I’m not your teacher anymore. Call me senior, sounds younger.”

Me: “...”

Life is strange. I picked State University partly because of Ms. Carter, but never expected we’d both end up there! She said she chose it because of her teacher—Grandma Stone. ...Maybe that’s the magic of a good teacher.

We set a date, and Grace and I went to pick up Ms. Carter, settled her in, and then went to see our family star’s live show. From start to finish, they never stopped talking.

“Beautiful and wild.” That was Ms. Carter’s verdict. She loved the show and asked if Julia had other works. “Thanks for liking it, but no.” The star arrived late, and to apologize, gave me a bear hug. “But if you want, I can sign something for you.”

“That would...” Ms. Carter started, but the star was already looking for a pen. “...really not necessary, hahahaha...”

The star’s face darkened, and the three of us laughed so hard we nearly fell over. After we calmed down, we coaxed the star to go home with us. Passing a mall, we saw a commotion. A man was caught stealing, fought the security guards, but was quickly pinned down. I looked closer. It was my dad. He had a beard, long hair, and a scar. If not for his fierce eyes, I wouldn’t have recognized him. The others asked why I stopped. “Nothing.” I shrugged. “Just thinking about what to cook later.”

I’d learned a bunch of new dishes over the summer, and now that everyone was here, I wanted them to try. As always, Grandma Stone was my biggest fan. Every bite, she’d say, “Pie, delicious.” Ms. Carter and Grace looked puzzled. “But we didn’t eat pie!”

“Hahahaha...” Julia led the laughter, and the whole room burst out. I looked up and everyone was smiling. I couldn’t help but smile too. With the best people around, being surrounded by love felt wonderful.

Mr. Stone’s factory doubled in size, with great quality and long-term contracts. Julia became a star, recognized everywhere. Grace went to college to wait for her Alex. Ms. Carter... she didn’t stay at City Central High, but went to teach in a rural county. “Because you wouldn’t call me senior.” She wiped my tears and sighed. “Alright, don’t cry. Who knows, maybe there will be one or more of you there. Just think of it as me recruiting for State University.”

“Okay!” I sniffled, hugging her tight. “Then you go first.”

In my junior year, I joined the rural teaching program Ms. Carter once did. My family cheered me on. When I left, Grandma Stone gave me a thumbs up. “Pie, good!” That word was all I needed. On the train, I cried about leaving home, but thinking of my family and Ms. Carter, I felt ready. As the train moved, the city faded into small houses, then earth huts and mountains. I felt determined. If possible, I hope there won’t be any more kids like I was there. But if there are, I’ll do everything I can to protect them and light their way—just like Ms. Carter and Grandma Stone did for me.

(The End)