My Classmate Once Mocked Me For Quitting School. Years Later, She Derided My Son As A Dropout Child.

First Love and New Dreams

Above all, experiencing my first love was wonderful. Kate, being three years older, seemed very mature. Every conversation with her was stimulating, yet when we’d stroll by the riverbank, her expressions were childlike and adorable. I wanted to protect Kate’s smile forever.

As expected, Kate went on to graduate school. Being one of the top students, it seemed many research labs wanted her. She chose a research lab led by a professor known for tackling challenging subjects. Since Kate’s research often extended into the late hours, she quit her part-time job at the British pub, so we no longer ran into each other at work.

But every evening, once I was done with my own job, I’d visit Kate’s apartment, cherishing the few moments we could spend together. Kate’s apartment looked like that of a stereotypical science student. Aside from essential furniture and household items, there were piles of specialized books everywhere.

By this time, I couldn’t comprehend the complexity of the books Kate was reading, but she’d occasionally simplify her research for me.

“You know, John, after working a few years, you can always choose to go to college,” she said.

I thought I had given up on the idea of going to college, but it was Kate who showed me such an option. Turns out not everyone entering college is a fresh high school graduate around 18 or 19; many adults do it too. Those who worked after high school and then felt the urge to study more also enroll.

“But Kate, I didn’t even graduate from high school.”

When I mentioned that, Kate told me about the GED system. Apparently, even for someone like me who hasn’t graduated from high school, if you pass the GED test, you’re considered to have a high school-level education and can then apply for college.

“Right now I don’t have the money for college tuition, and I’m maxed out just supporting my mom and me.”

But a new dream was born in me: to save up money and go to college someday.

Building a Future

My dates with Kate were mostly in her apartment or on the university campus, but they were always a lot of fun. The university’s cafeteria was affordable and tasty. Plus, considering the appetites of college students, they had plenty of large portion options, which was great. Kate loved the parfait from the cafeteria. Every time I bought her one and brought it to her table, she’d be so delighted.

I’d often think that if I could earn more, I could treat her to parfaits at fancy cafes instead of the cafeteria. But the joy she found in those school cafeteria parfaits made me cherish her even more. Kate would always tell me:

“If you want to earn more, you can’t just work more hours. There’s a limit to how many hours a person can work. Instead, improve your skills. If you can earn more per hour, you make more even if you work the same hours. You should focus on learning.”

I had a tendency to pick up more shifts whenever I saw something Kate might want, but her words made me hold back and consistently work on improving my current skills. I learned to use software I couldn’t before and even got a culinary license. Though it cost money to study and sometimes felt like a financial setback, once I got that culinary license, the manager at the pub I worked at praised me and raised my hourly wage.

As a result, I was able to buy Kate the necklace she had been eyeing for Christmas. With my improved computer skills, I got a job as a computer class instructor through a friend’s recommendation, leaving my convenience store job that I had since dropping out of high school. Teaching computer skills to folks in the community meant a significant bump in my monthly earnings.

Life Together

Around this time, my mom, feeling healthier, started working part-time, reducing the financial burden on our household. Little by little, I started saving money. With savings in hand, I began to think about marrying Kate. When Kate graduated from grad school in the spring, we joyfully tied the knot.

Our life together, as she started her job as a researcher after her post-graduate studies, was incredibly happy. We rented a small place, but whichever of us got home first would make dinner, and we’d eat together every evening. Even the moments just lying together, I felt so happy being aware of Kate’s presence beside me.

I continued to juggle my jobs as a computer instructor and a part-timer in the pub’s kitchen. One day, the manager approached me, saying he wanted me to run the kitchen for a newly opening pub. It seemed I was the only part-timer with a culinary license, so my hourly wage increased a bit.

“John, let’s save the extra money for when you go to college someday,” Kate suggested.

Even though I wanted to treat her to all her favorite foods, she said that.

“I’m quite content with my current life. You should definitely go to college. You love math so much.”

Saying that, Kate wouldn’t let me use the money for our date night. I even proposed sending more money to my mom, but after hearing from Kate about college, she refused. And that’s how I began saving for college.

Then one day, Kate, blushing, told me something.

“I’m pregnant.”

We were truly at the peak of our happiness.

A Genius Son and a Heartbreaking Loss

Our son Ryan turned out to be an astonishing prodigy. Much to our surprise, Kate and I were both good at math, so we expected him to like it to some extent, but he exceeded our expectations. In no time, he could count from 1 to 100 and started solving quadratic equations even before kindergarten. He quickly became fond of binary, my favorite, and could convert decimals to binary instantly.

Kate continued her work part-time. After finishing her research at the lab and picking up Ryan from daycare, she chatted with him about math and ways he could understand. Ryan always listened with shining eyes. By then, I had quit the pub job and had become a full-time instructor at the computer class. Ryan quickly learned to operate the computer I taught him, and he easily outgrew the programming materials for elementary school students.

“I wonder what kind of person he’ll grow up to be,” Kate said one night while stroking the sleeping Ryan’s hair.

Suddenly, she began to cry.

“Kate, what’s wrong? It was such a cheerful topic, so what happened?”

Looking at her face with suspicion, Kate clung to me and began to cry. Then she revealed:

“I… I’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor.”

I was stunned.

“Only six months left.”

I couldn’t come to grips with Kate’s confession and remained silent for a long time. I needed to support Kate; I knew it, but I couldn’t help picturing my father’s pale face. Now even Kate. It reminded me of the atmosphere when my mother answered the phone that day. It’s terrifying.

“Please tell me it’s a lie. Tell me you’re just joking.”

I couldn’t accept Kate’s illness, and for a while, life continued as usual. Kate went for treatments, but she never talked about her illness since then. I thought maybe we could just pretend it never happened. But one day, a call came from the lab. Kate collapsed.

The Promise

Lying in the hospital bed, Kate had regained consciousness but was hooked up to several lines, breathing through an oxygen mask. I wanted to look away, but the situation had escalated to a point where I couldn’t.

“Please look after Ryan.”

By the time I finally accepted the reality of her words, Kate’s condition had deteriorated to a level beyond treatment. For the month before Kate passed away, we repeatedly talked about Ryan’s future. Kate apologized to me and Ryan again and again. She had nothing to apologize for. The hardest part was for Kate having to leave Ryan behind.

“Ryan has an incredible talent,” Kate kept saying.

I felt the same way.

“I’ll do everything I can to help Ryan harness his exceptional gifts.”

Kate often took Ryan to the lab where everyone adored him. She asked me to keep taking him to the lab even after she’s gone. With the help of everyone in the lab, I promised to provide the best education possible.

At dawn on the day when six-year-old Ryan held back tears and said, “Mom, Dad and I will do our best, don’t worry,” Kate was called to Heaven at the young age of 33.

Having lost a loved one twice, I couldn’t afford to break down. I had to protect my son.