The story begins with a sudden and frightening phone call that changes the narrator Elise’s life. While at work, she learns from her mother that her beloved grandfather, Toren, has suffered a heart attack and is in the hospital. Shocked and terrified, Elise immediately leaves work to join her mother. Grandpa Toren is not just a relative but the emotional anchor of Elise’s life, making the news especially devastating. The drive to the hospital feels endless, filled with fear and uncertainty about whether he will survive.
At the hospital, Elise and her mother wait anxiously while Grandpa undergoes surgery. Eventually, a doctor reassures them that the operation was successful, though recovery will require strict lifestyle changes, rest, and minimal stress. Though relieved, the family understands that Grandpa’s life has fundamentally changed. After a few days, he is discharged and sent home, but because he lives far away, daily visits are impossible. To ensure his safety and recovery, they hire a full-time nurse who also helps with cooking and care, allowing Grandpa to focus on healing.
Two months pass, and although Grandpa is steadily recovering, Elise realizes she has not visited him in too long. She suggests a weekend visit, and her mother eagerly agrees. They set out early one Saturday morning, bringing sunflowers—Grandpa’s favorite—to brighten his day. Elise is excited to see him smiling again, but as they arrive at his apartment complex, that joy instantly turns into anger and disbelief when she notices something deeply disturbing on Grandpa’s unused car.
Written crudely on the dusty rear windshield of the car are insulting and humiliating words, telling Grandpa to clean his car or leave and repeatedly shaming him. Elise is outraged by the cruelty of targeting a sick elderly man who has been unable to drive due to his heart condition. Her mother is equally shocked and hurt. Though furious, Elise chooses not to confront the situation immediately, deciding instead to focus on seeing Grandpa and protecting him from unnecessary stress.
Inside the apartment, Grandpa greets them warmly, full of humor and affection, clearly happy to see his “girls.” His positive attitude contrasts sharply with the cruelty displayed outside, which only deepens Elise’s resolve to take action. She hides her anger from Grandpa, not wanting to burden him, and tells her mother she needs to step out briefly. Determined to uncover who is responsible, Elise goes to the building’s security office and insists on reviewing the parking lot surveillance footage.
Although the security guard initially resists, Elise explains the situation and emphasizes her grandfather’s illness, appealing to his sense of compassion. Reluctantly, he agrees to help. As they review days of recorded footage, Elise watches closely, searching for the moment when the vandalism occurred. The story pauses at the point where she finally spots something significant on the screen, setting the stage for confrontation and justice, and making it clear that whoever shamed her grandfather severely underestimated the determination of his granddaughter.
