My 14-year-old son grew out his hair to make a wig for his classmate who lost hers because of cancer — the next day, I was called to the school, where her father was waiting for me and said, “You have no idea what your son has done, do you?” My son Ethan and Lily had been best friends since elementary school. Even as teenagers, they were still inseparable. Unfortunately, Lily was diagnosed with cancer last year. I could see how deeply Ethan worried about her. Then Ethan refused to get a haircut. He kept saying: “Mom, I’m going to grow my hair out so Lily can feel like herself again.” I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I was of my son. Lily had lost all of her hair because of chemotherapy, and despite the teasing Ethan got at school, he still managed to grow his hair long enough to donate. Then I contacted an organization that makes wigs, and one morning, I took Ethan there to have his hair cut. When Ethan gave the wig to Lily, she burst into tears when she saw it. I thought that was the end of the story. But the next morning, I got a call from Ethan’s school. It was the principal, Mr. Harrison. He cleared his throat and said: “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you need to come to the school immediately. Lily’s father is here, and he’s demanding to see you right away.” My knees were shaking. I had no idea what was going on, but ten minutes later, I was already at the school. The thing is, I barely speak to Lily’s parents. I don’t even know how to explain why. They’re just very private and distant people. And on top of that, I can’t say for sure, but I’d always had the feeling they didn’t really like Ethan. When I walked into the principal’s office, Ethan was sitting there. He was pale. Lily’s father was sitting next to him. I smiled awkwardly. “So… what’s going on? Is this about the wig or something?” He stared at me for a moment, then looked at Ethan. “You really didn’t tell her?” My smile disappeared. “Tell me what?” Lily’s father looked at me and said: “You have no idea what your son has done, do you?” Then he turned to Ethan and said: “Please, tell her the truth yourself right now, or I’ll have to.” I looked at Ethan. He couldn’t even look me in the eye

“No.”

A long pause.

Then David said:

“His company manufactures one of the drugs Lily is receiving.”

I went completely still.

And suddenly the fundraiser Ethan never should have handled alone had reached someone none of us expected.

Not because Ethan had saved Lily.

But because one fourteen-year-old boy had made enough noise for adults with real resources to finally look.

-END OF Chapter 1–

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