And spent the rest of the day pretending the things adults were saying about him did not hurt.
At school, the attention became overwhelming.
Some children treated him like a celebrity.
They wanted to touch his jacket.
Ask about the cream can.
See photographs of the documents.
One boy asked whether he owned a million dollars.
Another wanted to know whether he would buy a sports car.
Several girls asked if he was going to move into the old factory.
The child tried answering politely.
"I don't know."
That was the truth.
But not everyone accepted it.
A classmate whose father worked for the redevelopment company confronted him near the lockers.
"You're the reason my dad might lose his job."
The boy stopped.
He stared.
"What?"
The classmate stepped closer.
"My dad says the factory won't open because of your stupid lawsuit."
The boy swallowed.
"We haven't even had a trial."
The other child rolled his eyes.
"Whatever."
He pointed toward the boy's jacket.
"You think you're special because you found some old papers."
The twelve-year-old looked down.
He wanted to argue.
Wanted to explain that his grandfather died without seeing the family believed.
Wanted to say he never asked for television cameras or reporters.
But the words would not come.
Then the classmate said something cruel.
"Maybe your grandpa made the whole thing up."
The boy froze.
For one brief instant, anger replaced the sadness.
He stepped forward.
"Don't talk about my grandpa."
The other child laughed.
"Why?"
The boy clenched his fists.
Then remembered the old man's voice.
Don't guess when you can test.
He took a breath.
Then answered quietly.
"Because you didn't know him."
The classmate stared.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain what to say.
Then a teacher approached.
The boys separated.
Later, the science teacher found the twelve-year-old sitting near the window after class.
His eyes were red.
She sat beside him.
"Rough day?"
He nodded.
She waited.
Eventually, he told her what happened.
The teacher listened.
Then asked.
"What do you wish people understood?"
The boy considered.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then whispered.
"I didn't buy the can because I thought I'd be rich."
The teacher nodded.
He continued.