I called my mom back instantly, my fingers trembling. She picked up on the first ring. “Mom, what happened? I don’t understand.”

Her voice was a mixture of sorrow and regret. “Jess, I’m so sorry. I should have told you more about him. He and I… we had our differences. He was always a complicated man. Proud, stubborn, but with a good heart. The family feud… it was stupid, and I let it get in the way.”

I could hear the pain in her voice, the years of missed opportunities and unresolved issues. “But why the tips? Why didn’t he say anything to me?”