On a bright sunny day, vandalism happened. Who did it? Brian, one of the best police officers, was determined to figure out who did it. He was waiting for the right time to retire and had been saving up money since high school: he was finally satisfied with a lot of money. The cops were looking for the person who did it.

It wasn’t a typical vandalism but a beautiful spray-painted daisy. Every morning Sam, the vandal, woke up, made his wife and kids breakfast, and spray-painted something new before work. Brian decided he wouldn’t retire until he caught the active vandal.

After a week of careful searching, Brian finally caught the vandal. Sam spray-painted a sunflower the morning he got caught. When Brian caught him, they realized they were childhood friends. They were inseparable friends all throughout high school with every class together, were roommates, and did everything together. Brian let Sam off with a warning not to do it again. Brian caught Sam again and said, “I already gave you a warning. If you can explain yourself and convince me not to arrest you over lunch, then I will let you go with a warning.” Sam took that as an opportunity to get out of trouble.

“I have work and need the money so I’ll explain everything over dinner.”

“OK. Where do you work? I will pick you up right after.” Brian asked. Sam told him the gas station on Oakwood Ave. and he got done work at 4:30.

When Brian picked up Sam at work the first thing Sam said was, ”I see you got to be a cop like you always wanted.” Brian felt guilty that Sam didn’t become an artist like he had always dreamed of. In high school, Sam’s nickname was “ the next Picasso.” Everybody always thought if anybody could make their dream come true, it would be Sam because he was an amazing artist and kept getting better. If you knew Sam, you would know every canvas that he was working on. He put his heart and soul into every art piece he did. Brian, on the other hand, was kind of a loner. With every outfit, he had a fake badge. Usually, he would keep it in his pocket with his “police wallet.” His only friend was Emily, a beautiful elegant young woman that all the boys drooled over. The only two people in the school that treated Emily with respect were Sam and Brian. Sam was a popular, tall, and handsome young man. While Brian was short and socially awkward.
Then it was finally time for Sam to explain. He said, “All throughout high school all I wanted to do was be an artist. I still want to be an artist, but I don’t have the money. My parents didn’t have money back then either. I love my life so much. I have a wife and three beautiful children. I love them more than anything in the world. I want them to have a good life and be able to go to whatever college they want. So, even though working at a gas station doesn’t pay much, it gives us extra money to put aside for their college. I love art so much. I wasn’t even thinking and just started painting. It didn’t matter where I did it. It just mattered what I was doing. So the thought of vandalism didn’t even cross my mind, because I was just so happy while painting..”

It took Brian a little while to process what Sam said but he responded,”I will let you go this time but if I catch you again no more warnings I will have to bring you in.” Sam understood but couldn’t stop painting.
He waited a week and started painting early before anyone was awake so he wouldn’t get caught. When Brian realized Sam started painting again, he paid a visit to Sam’s house. Sam was at work so his daughter opened the door. When Sam’s daughter -who looked identical to Emily in high school- opened the door he realized Emily was Sam’s wife. When Emily saw Brian she said, “Brian? Come in! What brings you here?”
Brian said, “I don’t know if Sam told you, but he has been painting on buildings. I have caught him twice and just gave him a warning, but he can’t do it unless he has permission. The police station keeps getting angry calls about paintings on the side of their house that they don’t want. If he doesn’t stop I will have to arrest him. This is his final chance.”

Emily replied, “OK I will let him know.”

Brain said “Thanks” then left.

On Brian’s way home, he put an envelope in Sam’s mailbox. It had a card and cash inside that said

Dear Brian, I know you don’t have rich parents, but they cared about you. I have rich parents that try to care about me. I could’ve just asked for money to pay for your art school but I didn’t and I regret that. Even though you didn’t get to go to college. I want your kids to go. I want them to be able to go to the exact college they want and have money to fall back on. I’ve been saving up retirement money since high school, so I could be rich when I retire and have way more than enough. I’ve saved up 3 million dollars in total and want to give you a portion of that. Don’t return this or even say thank you. Don’t pay me back or tell anyone. This is our little secret. Sincerely, your best friend, Brian.

When Sam got home, he read the letter. He was so happy that he finally had enough money to support his kids in whatever they wanted to do. Ten years later, Sam’s oldest daughter became a cop and his other two children are in training. Brian was so happy he finally did the right thing.