Olive finally got a good job right when her son, Chris, left for college. She was so happy to be able to help him with everything he needed. As Chris stood at the train station, about to leave for New York, Olive reassured him, “Chris, don’t worry about anything. I’ll pay for as much as I can. If you need anything, just call me.”
For most of Chris’s life, Olive had struggled to make ends meet. She raised him on her own and studied at night to improve their situation. While Chris always had food and a roof over his head, Olive could never afford the things other kids had. His gifts were often second-hand, and Olive felt guilty for not being able to give him more.
Despite this, she loved him deeply and worked hard to ensure he had the best future possible. Seven years passed, and they only talked through video calls, but one day, Chris returned home and was shocked by what had happened.
Olive was finally earning a decent salary and felt proud she could give Chris anything he needed. “Thank you, Mom,” Chris said, hugging her tightly before getting on the train to New York.
Years passed, and one day, Chris decided to visit his mom. He knocked on the door of his childhood home, but there was no answer. Confused, he peeked through the window—and couldn’t believe what he saw. The house was completely empty.
***
“Mrs. Franklin, you should come to visit! I’m so huge now!” Chris’s fiancée, Rosalie, said cheerfully during a video call, showing off her baby bump. Olive smiled through the screen, but something weighed heavily on her mind.
“Mom, I wanted to ask you something,” Chris began, scratching the back of his head nervously. “Since Rosalie and I are about to graduate and we’re having a baby, I was wondering if you could help us with a house. We’ve already found one in New Jersey. We can’t afford to live in the city, but it’s beautiful, and it reminds me of home.”
Olive stared at her son, deep in thought. “Well, I… don’t know,” she hesitated, thinking about her savings and the hard work she’d put in over the years. She was finally planning for her retirement.
“Please, Mom,” Chris pleaded, explaining the cost of the house and how much they needed for a down payment. He also mentioned that Rosalie didn’t have any family to help them out.
After a long pause, Olive sighed. “Ok, Chris, ok. I think we can work something out.” She knew it would mean using up her entire savings and living even more frugally, but it was possible.
Chris’s face lit up. “Thank you! Thank you, Mom! I don’t know what I’d do without you!” he said, nearly in tears. Olive smiled back, knowing that all her sacrifices were worth it.
***
“I wish you guys could come this Christmas,” Olive said in front of her computer, as she had done many times over the years. It had been seven years since Chris left home, and he hadn’t returned to their Maryland hometown. All their communication was through video calls. Olive was missing out on her granddaughter’s life, and it hurt her deeply. But everyone was always busy, and she felt lonelier with each passing year.
Olive was working harder than ever, still helping Chris financially. She had already depleted her savings once, and now, after helping him start a business, they were almost gone again. Olive never asked Chris for anything in return, but she wished they would at least visit her, as she couldn’t make the trip herself.
“We can’t, Mom. Not this year,” Chris said, shaking his head apologetically during another video call. “But thank you for the gifts you sent Mallory. She loves them. You’re an amazing grandma.”
“Can you put her on the screen?” Olive asked gently. She smiled as she watched her granddaughter, but the longing to hold her was overwhelming.
***
What Olive didn’t know was that Chris was finally planning a surprise visit. He couldn’t afford plane tickets for Rosalie and Mallory to come with him, but he was excited to see his mother after so many years.
However, when his taxi pulled up in front of the house, Chris frowned. It was 9 p.m., and the house was completely dark. He told the driver to wait for a moment and stepped out. Something was off. The porch furniture was gone, the plants his mother had always cared for were missing, the garden was overgrown, and even the welcome mat was no longer there. His heart sank as he walked toward the door.
Chris knocked on the door again, but there was still no response. He peeked through the window and was shocked—everything inside was gone. *Did Mom move? Why didn’t she tell me?* he thought, feeling a knot of concern form in his chest.
“Chris? Is that you?” a familiar voice called out.
He turned around to see Mrs. Torres, the elderly woman who had lived next door his entire life. “Mrs. Torres! Hi!” he greeted.
“What are you doing here, kid?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m here to see Mom. Do you know where she is?” Chris asked, frowning, feeling more confused by the second.
“Oh, dear. Your mother moved away about two years ago. She sold the house, but the new owners only moved out a few weeks ago. I’m not sure who’s moving in next,” Mrs. Torres said, her face scrunching up as she spoke.
“She never told me,” Chris muttered in disbelief. “Do you know where she went?”
“Yes, I have her new address somewhere. Come inside,” Mrs. Torres replied, leading him to her house. After a few minutes, she handed Chris a piece of paper with the address written on it.
Chris read it and frowned deeply. The address was in a part of town known for being run-down. “Do you know why she moved to that area?” he asked Mrs. Torres, feeling uneasy.
“No, honey. But I know she has a roommate now,” Mrs. Torres said with a shrug, leaving Chris even more puzzled.
Feeling anxious, Chris returned to the taxi and gave the driver the new address. The car pulled up to a shabby apartment complex on a poorly lit street. The building’s paint was peeling, and it looked neglected. Chris hurried inside, noticing there was no security as he easily made his way up to the apartment.
When Olive opened the door, her eyes widened in shock. “Chris? What are you doing here?”
“Mom! What is going on? Why did you sell the house?” Chris asked, bewildered and upset.
Olive sighed heavily and stepped aside, inviting her son into the small, cramped living room. Once they sat down, she began to explain.
“The first time you asked for money for the house, I still had some savings left, so I used them to help you and Rosalie. But when you asked for money for your business, I didn’t have anything saved up. So, I decided to sell the house and give you most of the profit,” Olive said, her voice calm but tinged with sadness.
Chris was stunned. He had no idea. The realization that his mother had sold her home to help him was like a punch to the gut. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me? I never would’ve taken that money if I had known. I feel terrible… I’ve been so careless,” he said, his voice breaking with guilt.
“But, sweetheart, I just wanted you to succeed,” Olive explained softly. “I couldn’t give you much when you were younger, and I wanted to make up for it. I didn’t want you to struggle…”
Chris shook his head, his heart heavy. “Mom, you didn’t fail me. You gave me everything that mattered. I wish I had seen that sooner,” he said, his voice filled with regret.
“Mom, you gave me everything I ever needed,” Chris said, his voice shaking with emotion. “I only asked for help because I thought you could afford it. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for not checking on you, for not visiting, and for letting you live here, with a roommate, at your age. I’m so sorry.” Tears of frustration streamed down his face.
Olive, with tears in her eyes, hugged her son tightly. They held each other, both overwhelmed with emotion. Chris made many promises that night, vowing never to let her struggle again. Later, he called Rosalie and explained everything. Together, they agreed it was time to move Olive closer to them.
Fortunately, Olive found a new job in New Jersey quickly, and within a few months, they had built an in-law suite for her. Olive was finally close to her family and could enjoy every moment with her granddaughter, Mallory.
Chris worked hard and repaid his mother every penny she had given him for the house and his business, which had become a huge success. Their family was comfortable, and most importantly, Chris never let his mother sacrifice for him again. Olive never missed another precious moment of her granddaughter’s life, and Chris made sure that she would always be taken care of from then on.
Single Dad Helps Older Woman Mow Her Lawn, Soon Gets a Call from Her Lawyer — Story of the Day
Felix sees his elderly neighbor struggling to cut her overgrown lawn and rushes to help her. She forces an unusual, antique box on him as a token of appreciation, but her gift lands Felix in deep trouble when her lawyer phones to request an urgent meeting.
Felix, a single dad in his mid-30s, sat wearily in his armchair, half-watching TV in his modest, slightly worn living room.
The background noise of sitcom laughter barely masked the solitude of his daily routine, marked by the loss of his wife seven years earlier in a car crash.
Felix found solace in his job as a janitor and in raising his daughter, Alice, whose presence brought him moments of joy reminiscent of her mother.
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One day, Felix was drawn to the window by a noise outside. He saw his elderly neighbor, Mrs. White, struggling with her lawnmower. Known for her independence despite her age, Mrs. White seemed to need help today.
Without hesitation, Felix approached her and offered his assistance. “Let me help you with that, Mrs. White,” he said, taking over the stubborn machine. They worked silently together under the afternoon sun.
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After finishing, Mrs. White, grateful and smiling warmly, expressed her appreciation.
“Felix, you’ve always been so good to me, lending me your strength and time without asking for anything in return.”
Felix, modest as ever, responded, “It’s no trouble at all, Mrs. White.”
Insistent on showing her gratitude, Mrs. White offered Felix an ornately decorated box, but he hesitated, feeling uneasy about accepting such a lavish gift. “I can’t accept this, Mrs. White.”
She respected his refusal but instead handed him a bag of apples for Alice.
“Then, please, at least take these apples for Alice,” she urged.
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Felix accepted the apples with a simple “Thank you,” and returned home.
Inside, he presented the apples to his excited daughter, Alice, who delightedly accepted them with a cheerful, “Thank you, Daddy!”
As Felix resumed his quiet evening, Alice discovered the same ornate box in the bag with the apples.
Surprised and intrigued, she brought it to Felix, exclaiming, “Daddy! Look what was in the bag with the apples!”
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The mysterious box, now in Felix’s hands, sparked a flurry of questions and curiosity about its contents and why Mrs. White had hidden it among the apples.
Felix, holding the ornate box, insisted to his daughter, Alice, “Alice, we can’t keep it. It’s not ours.”
Alice, curious, replied, “But Dad, what if there’s something cool inside? Something we need?”
“Alice, even if that’s true, it doesn’t make it ours. This box belongs to someone else. We need to respect that.”
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Accepting her father’s decision, Alice agreed, and Felix decided to return the box to Mrs. White. Upon reaching her house, Felix felt a foreboding silence.
He called out, “Mrs. White?” but received no response. As he searched the house, the unsettling quiet weighed heavily until he found Mrs. White lying motionless on her couch, her life evidently having slipped away.
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Shocked and uncertain, Felix debated his next steps amidst the heavy realization of her death. He knew he had to call someone, yet, he hesitated, his gaze shifting back and forth between Mrs. White and the box clutched in his hands.
He finally stepped back, leaving the house with the box, now a burdensome secret.
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Back home, the box on his table seemed more ominous than ever.
Later, Felix researched the box online, hoping to gauge its value. Typing “antique box gold diamond inserts” into his computer, he discovered similar items valued at staggering amounts, notably one listed for $250,000.
This revelation tempted him with financial security for Alice but also tested his morals. As he contemplated his next move, the phone rang, breaking the silence.
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An unknown voice introduced himself on the call, stating, “Good evening, is this Felix? My name is Jonathan Pryce. I am Mrs. White’s attorney. I believe it is imperative for us to discuss a matter of significant concern. Can we arrange a face-to-face meeting?”
Agreeing nervously, Felix responded, “Sure, we can meet. How about tomorrow?”
“Let’s convene at ‘Café Lorraine’ on the main street at 10 a.m. It’s a quiet place, conducive for such discussions,” Mr. Pryce proposed.
“Okay, I’ll be there,” Felix confirmed, ending the call with his heart pounding against his chest.
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Felix arrived at ‘Café Lorraine’ where he met Mrs. White’s lawyer and her son, Henry. The introduction was a shock to Felix, unaware of any family ties Mrs. White had.
Henry cut to the chase, “I know you were at my mother’s house yesterday,” his voice accusing.
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Felix defended himself, “I was helping her out, like I often did.”
“My mother had a box, an antique, with significant sentimental value to our family. It’s been in our family for generations… Now, it’s gone. Disappeared,” Henry stated. “But such things don’t just vanish, do they?”
Feeling cornered, Felix kept silent, prompting Henry to offer a deal.
“Listen, I don’t care how it happened, but I need that box back. I’m willing to pay for its return. A thousand dollars, no questions asked,” Henry offered.
Felix, aware of the box’s true value, retorted, “I’m not an idiot. I know the box’s worth, a lot more than what you’re offering. And no, I didn’t steal it. Your mother gave it to me, of her own free will.”
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Caught off guard, Henry listened as Felix declared his intentions, “I’ve decided to auction the box. If it means that much to you, you’re welcome to bid on it, just like anyone else.”
With that, Felix left the café abruptly, feeling a mix of defiance and apprehension about the unfolding events.
The next day at the auction, experts marveled at the box, questioning Felix about its origins. Under their scrutiny, Felix faltered, claiming, “It was…it was an inheritance,” which only raised more doubts.
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The situation escalated as the experts demanded proof of ownership, and talk of involving the police began.
Panicked and unprepared, Felix found himself saying, “I… I don’t have them with me.”
With the situation spiraling, Felix made a desperate decision to flee, escaping the auction house to avoid legal complications, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty.
At home, Felix was tormented by thoughts of the box and its potential to change their lives. He realized he needed proof of the box’s legitimacy from Mrs. White’s house.
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Late at night, he snuck into her home, searching desperately for any document that could validate his claim.
Felix’s search was fruitless, and as despair grew, he was startled by a noise. Turning, he saw Henry in the doorway.
“I knew you’d come,” Henry said, his voice tinged with disappointment. “After I heard about the auction, I figured you’d show up here looking for something to legitimize your claim to that box.”
Caught and feeling defenseless, Felix listened as Henry laid down his conditions.
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“Felix, you’ve made a grave mistake,” Henry continued. “This is breaking and entering. It’s a criminal offense. But I’m willing to overlook this if you do exactly as I say.”
Henry’s terms were harsh but clear. “You have until tomorrow,” he stated firmly. “Bring the box to me, or I’ll have no choice but to file a report with the police. They’ll be very interested to learn about your little nocturnal excursion.”
Defeated and with no real choice, Felix agreed and was escorted out. He returned home, overwhelmed by the gravity of his situation.
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He considered his limited options: surrender the box to Henry and avoid legal trouble but lose any potential financial gain or take a risk that could endanger his and Alice’s future.
In his turmoil, Felix decided to send Alice to her grandmother’s, far from the impending fallout. He packed a bag for her, including the box, as a safeguard.
Suddenly, Alice appeared, sensing her father’s distress. “Dad, what’s going on? You look upset,” she inquired with innocent concern.
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Felix realized he had to explain the situation to her, revealing the true value of the box and the complexities it brought into their lives.
Felix paced his living room, the weight of their precarious situation pressing on him. “Alice, this box… it’s our ticket to a better life,” he explained, trying to mask his anxiety. “It’s worth $250,000. But I can’t be the one to benefit from it. You must take it to Grandma in Virginia.”
Alice, overwhelmed, asked, “But why can’t you come with me, Dad?”
Felix sighed deeply, “I might not be around for some time, sweetheart. There’s a chance I’ll have to… go away for a little while. But I promise it won’t be forever. I’ll fight to come back to you.”
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As they packed, Felix reassured Alice of her strength and the importance of their plan. At the bus station, amid a heartfelt goodbye, he watched her leave, feeling a piece of his heart go with her.
Returning home to the oppressive silence of the now empty house, Felix made a pivotal decision.
Picking up the phone, he called Henry, resigning to his fate. “I don’t have the box, Henry. It’s out of my hands,” he declared. “I’m ready to turn myself in. You can call the police.”
Soon, the police arrived and took Felix away without resistance, his thoughts fixed on Alice’s safety and their future.
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Months later in prison, Felix’s routine was interrupted by a guard’s sudden order. “Pack your things and come with me!” Confused but hopeful, Felix followed, only to find Alice waiting for him.
“Dad,” she greeted, her presence instantly lifting his spirits.
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Alice revealed that she had unlocked the box, finding documents and a letter from Mrs. White stating her wish for Felix to inherit the box. Using these, Alice secured his release.
“I couldn’t believe it myself, Dad. After you sent me away, I kept thinking about the box, about the code… And then, one day, it just clicked!”
Felix was overwhelmed by Mrs. White’s final act of kindness and Alice’s determination.
“So, I took those papers, and I found a buyer, someone who collects antiques like that. They didn’t just pay for the box, Dad. They helped me find a lawyer, explained about bail, and how we could fight the case.”
Reunited, they embraced, ready to start anew. “We don’t have to worry anymore. We have enough to start over, but more importantly, we have each other. And we’re going to get through this, one step at a time,” Alice assured him, her words a balm to Felix’s weary soul.
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