I Paid My Father $250 in Rent Every Month for Five Years. After His Funeral, His Best Friend Gave Me a Key and a Box.

Rebecca placed half the flowers at her grave, then stood back while I approached Dad’s.

I had imagined a speech.

I thought I’d tell him about the studio, the workshops, and the clients.

I thought I’d thank him for the money while making sure he understood what it had cost me.

In front of the headstone, none of that came out neatly.

“I wish you’d been kinder,” I said at last.