A poor boy assisted an elderly man in achieving his dream, unaware that his own life would be transformed the very next day

Most days after school, I would find something to do outside the trailer—anything to take my mind off things. But little did I know that at the age of 13, my life would change.

That day, I was tossing an old, deflated soccer ball at some bottles I’d set up like bowling pins. It wasn’t much, but it helped pass the time.

Then, out of nowhere, this shiny black SUV rolled up next to the trailer. The windows were tinted, and I stared at it for a second, wondering who on earth would come around here in something that fancy.

The door creaked open, and out stepped this old man, probably in his 70s or 80s, leaning on a cane but with a warm smile on his face. He waved.

“Hey there,” he said, slowly walking over. “Mind if I take a shot?” He pointed at the bottles I had lined up.

I blinked. “Uh, sure, I guess,” I said, not really sure what to make of him.

He chuckled. “Tell you what, let’s make it interesting. If I get a strike, I’ll ask you for a favor, and you can’t say no. But if I miss, I’ll hand you a hundred bucks. Deal?”

My eyes practically popped out of my head. A hundred bucks? I could almost hear the register in my brain ringing. “Deal,” I said quickly.

The man leaned down, picked up the deflated ball, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed it. The thing rolled straight into the bottles, knocking every last one down. I stood there, jaw dropped. No way.

The old man laughed, clearly pleased with himself. “Looks like I won,” he said. “Now, for that favor.”

I swallowed, curious. “What do you want me to do?”

“Come fishing with me tomorrow at the old pond,” he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Fishing?” I scratched my head. That was it? Seemed like a strange request, but definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. “Uh, okay, I guess. Let me just ask my mom.”

He smiled and nodded. “I’ll wait.”

I jogged back into the trailer, opening the door quietly. Mom was asleep on the couch, her chest rising and falling slowly. She’d had a long shift at the gas station the night before, and I didn’t want to wake her. I stood there for a moment, biting my lip.

“She won’t even know,” I muttered to myself. “I’ll be back before she notices.”

Decision made, I tiptoed back outside. “Alright, I’ll go,” I told the old man, hoping I wasn’t making a mistake.

“Great,” he said, smiling even wider. “We’ll meet tomorrow at dawn. Don’t be late.”

The next morning, the old man picked me up bright and early in his black SUV. We drove in silence at first, heading out of town. The place looked like no one had been there in years, the water was still, with tall grass growing around it. There wasn’t a single person in sight.

“Why here?” I asked, looking around as I grabbed the fishing rods he’d brought.

The old man smiled softly as he set up the gear. “This place… it means a lot to me,” he said, his voice quieter than usual.

We cast our lines into the water and sat side by side. We didn’t talk much for a while. But after about an hour, with no bites on the line, I couldn’t help but ask.

“So… why did you want to come here to fish?” I asked, curious.

The old man glanced at me, his smile tinged with sadness. “Years ago, I used to come here with my son. He was about your age then.” His voice softened even more.

“We were poor, just like you and your mother. Didn’t have much, but we always found time to come here. Funny thing is, we never caught a single fish, no matter how hard we tried.”

I looked at him. “Where’s your son now?”

He was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the water. I noticed his eyes filled with tears.

“He’s gone,” the old man finally said, his voice heavy. “He got sick. The doctors said he needed an urgent operation, but I didn’t have the money. I couldn’t save him.”

I felt my chest tighten. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, blinking back tears. “That’s when I promised myself I’d never be in that position again. I worked, I hustled, I built myself up so I’d never feel that helpless. But… I never had another child.”

I didn’t know what to say at first, but something inside me knew what he needed to hear. I stood up, walked over to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Your son’s watching you from heaven,” I said softly. “And one day, he’ll see you catch that fish. You just can’t give up.”

He smiled at me, tears still in his eyes. “Thank you, Adam. You remind me so much of him.”

Just then, the float on one of our rods dipped suddenly into the water.

“Hey, the float!” I yelled.

The old man’s eyes widened, and we both grabbed the rod at the same time, pulling hard. But as we yanked, we both lost our balance, tumbling into the pond with a loud splash. I gasped as the cold water hit me, and the old man surfaced beside me, laughing like he hadn’t in years.

“Well, this is one way to catch a fish!” he cackled, struggling to hold onto the rod while I helped pull him up.

We finally managed to drag the rod back to shore, and to our surprise, attached to the end was the biggest fish I’d ever seen. The old man jumped to his feet, soaking wet but grinning like a kid.

“We did it!” he shouted, throwing his hands up in triumph. “We actually caught one!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, watching him dance around like he’d just won the lottery. We were soaked to the bone, but in that moment, it didn’t matter.

Later, he drove me back to the trailer. As we pulled up, he turned to me, his face soft and filled with gratitude.

“Thank you, Adam,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Today meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”

I smiled back. “Thanks for taking me fishing. It was fun.”

He reached out and patted my shoulder, a tear sliding down his cheek. “Take care, son. And don’t give up on those dreams.”

With that, he drove off, leaving me standing there with a strange warmth in my chest.

The next day, there was a knock on our trailer door. I opened it to see a man in a suit standing there, holding a package.

“Adam?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I said, eyeing the man suspiciously.

“I’m Mr. Johnson, Mr. Thompson’s assistant. He asked me to deliver this to you,” he said, handing over the package.

I opened it right there on the spot and inside was more money than I’d ever seen in my life. My jaw dropped. “W-what is this for?”

Mr. Johnson smiled kindly. “It’s for you and your mother. Enough to move into a proper house, and for her medical care—rehabilitation, so she can walk without pain. There’s also a provision for private tutors to help you prepare for college. Your education, including one of the best colleges in the country, will be fully covered.”

I couldn’t believe it. My head spun as I tried to process what he was saying. “But… why?”

“Mr. Thompson was very moved by you, Adam. He sees a lot of his own son in you. This is his way of saying thank you.”

Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded, overwhelmed by the kindness of a man who had once been a stranger but had now changed our lives forever.

Several months passed since that fishing trip. One afternoon, I came home to find a letter on the table, addressed to me. I recognized the handwriting instantly. My hands shook as I opened it.

“If you’re reading this,” the letter began, “then I’m already watching you from heaven with my son.”

I stopped, swallowing hard, and read on.

“The day after we went fishing, I had heart surgery. I didn’t survive, but that’s okay. Meeting you gave me more peace than I ever thought possible. You reminded me of my son and showed me there’s still joy in life, even after loss.

I’ve left you everything you need to succeed. Remember what you told me that day by the pond? You’ll catch that fish too—just don’t give up, right?”

I wiped a tear from my cheek, staring at the words. I could almost hear his voice again, and see him smiling next to me by the water.

Fifteen years later, I stood on the porch of the house I built for Mom, watching her laugh with my kids in the yard.

“You never gave up, Adam,” she said, catching my eye with a smile. “He’d be proud.”

“I think about him a lot,” I admitted, my voice soft. “I hope I’ve made him proud.”

“You have,” she said gently. “He gave you everything, and look at you now.”

I smiled, glancing at my own home next door. “It wasn’t just the money, Mom. It was the reminder to never give up. I’ll carry that with me forever.”

She squeezed my hand. “And he’s watching. I know it.”

I looked up at the sky, feeling that same calm warmth I’d felt all those years ago.

My Husband Brought Home a Pregnant Lover and Told Me to Move to My Mom’s – My Revenge Was Harsh

Eight years of marriage shattered in one quick breath when my husband Mike brought home his pregnant sidekick and KICKED ME OUT of the house. I packed alright, but what I unpacked was a revenge plot so brilliant and karmic!

Portrait of a sad young woman | Source: Midjourney

Portrait of a sad young woman | Source: Midjourney

It was a Tuesday evening when my life decided to go off the rails. I walked into our living room, tired from a long day at work, only to find a heavily pregnant woman sitting on our couch, eating chips.

At first, I thought maybe I’d accidentally wandered into the wrong house.

But no, there was our ugly floral wallpaper that Mike insisted on keeping, and there was Mike, looking like he’d just swallowed a porcupine.

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

“Hey, Michelle,” he said, his voice as casual as if he was asking me to pass the salt. “We need to talk.”

I stood there, frozen, my brain trying to compute the scene before me. The pregnant woman smiled awkwardly, her hand on her belly, looking like she was auditioning for a soap opera.

“This is Jessica,” Mike continued, gesturing to the human incubator on our couch. “She’s pregnant. With my child. It… it just happened. And we’ve decided to be together.”

A woman gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

A woman gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

I waited for the punchline. Surely, this was some elaborate prank for a new reality TV show. Maybe I’d win a car if I didn’t freak out?

But Mike’s face remained serious, and Jessica kept smiling that infuriating smile.

“Mike,” I said slowly, “what do you mean by ‘it just happened’? Did you trip and fall into her—?”

Mike had the audacity to look offended. “Enough, Michelle! This is serious. I think it’s best if you move out. You can go stay with your mom. Jess and I’ll take over the house.”

A serious-looking man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A serious-looking man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

I blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. Nope, still not a dream.

I was half-expecting Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me I’d been Punk’d. But alas, no Ashton. Just my cheating husband and his very pregnant sidekick.

“Alright,” I calmly said. “I’ll pack my things and leave.”

Mike looked relieved, probably thinking he’d gotten off easy. Jessica’s smile grew wider, like she’d just won the lottery. Little did they know, the lottery was about to hit them back, and hit them hard.

A heartbroken woman at the doorway | Source: Midjourney

A heartbroken woman at the doorway | Source: Midjourney

I went upstairs, packed a suitcase with some essentials, and left without another word.

As I drove to my mom’s house, the shock wore off, and rage took its place. But this wasn’t just any rage. This was the kind of rage that makes you want to do something spectacularly stupid and incredibly satisfying.

The next day, I set my plan in motion.

First stop: the bank. I marched in there like a woman on a mission, which I was. I froze our joint account faster than you can say “cheating jerk.”

The look on the bank manager’s face when I explained why was priceless. I’m pretty sure he was mentally taking notes for his next novel.

A woman outside a bank | Source: Midjourney

A woman outside a bank | Source: Midjourney

Next, I visited a locksmith.

I remembered overhearing Mike tell Jessica they’d be gone for three days, giving me plenty of time to execute my master plan. It was like the universe was conspiring in my favor, and who was I to argue with destiny?

My next stop: my house. The same cozy house Mike and I once lived together, planning a future that was now a total trainwreck.

The puzzled locksmith probably thought I was crazy, cackling as I had him change all the locks on the house. I may have gone a bit overboard and asked for the most complicated, high-tech locks available. Hey, if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. And big.

A locksmith fixing a door lock | Source: Midjourney

A locksmith fixing a door lock | Source: Midjourney

Then came the movers.

I gave them the spare keys and scheduled them to pack up everything I owned, which was basically everything in the house. I even took the toilet paper. Let’s see how Mike and Jessica enjoy using leaves!

But the piece de resistance? Oh, that was yet to come. I had a brilliant idea that would make this revenge not just sweet, but long-lasting.

Toilet paper rolls in a basket | Source: Midjourney

Toilet paper rolls in a basket | Source: Midjourney

I sent out party invitations. Lots of them. To Mike’s family, our friends, his coworkers, even that nosy neighbor who always complained about our late dog.

The invitation read: “Come celebrate Mike’s new life! Surprise party at our house, tomorrow at 7 p.m.!”

A party invitation | Source: Midjourney

A party invitation | Source: Midjourney

Then, I commissioned a billboard. Yes, a billboard. A huge one. It was delivered and set up on our front lawn, impossible to miss.

In giant, bold letters, it proclaimed: “Congratulations on Dumping Me for Your Pregnant Mistress, Mike! Hope the Baby Doesn’t Inherit Your Infidelity!”

I stepped back to admire my handiwork, feeling like a mischievous fairy godmother who’d just granted the world’s most ironic wish. With a satisfied smirk and a dramatic hair flip, I sashayed away from the scene, eagerly anticipating the chaos that was about to unfold.

A billboard outside a house | Source: Midjourney

A billboard outside a house | Source: Midjourney

The next evening, right on cue, my phone rang. It was Mike, and he sounded like he was having an aneurysm.

“Michelle!” he screeched, his voice hitting octaves I didn’t know he could reach. “What the hell is going on? Why are there people at our house? And what’s with this insane billboard?”

“Oh, that?” I said, trying to sound innocent. “Just a little housewarming party for you and Jessica. Don’t you like the decorations?”

“Decorations? It’s a freaking circus out here! And why can’t I get into the house?”

A startled man talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A startled man talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

I couldn’t help but giggle. “Well, honey, you told me to move out, remember? You never said anything about you staying there. I just remembered that the house is solely under my name. So, I changed the locks. Oopsie!”

There was a long silence on the other end. I could almost hear the gears in his tiny brain trying to process what was happening.

“Where are we supposed to go?” he finally sputtered.

“Gee, I don’t know, Mike. Maybe Jessica’s mom would love to have you? I hear pregnancy hormones and in-laws mix really well.”

A smiling woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

I hung up, feeling lighter than I had in years. But wait, there was more!

In the days that followed, I had the utilities cut off, canceled the cable, and made sure all our joint assets were transferred into my name. I listed the house for sale, making sure to mention in the listing that it came with a “bonus front lawn art installation.”

I had Mike served with divorce papers at work. I specifically requested the mailman to dress up as a pregnant woman. Just for funsies.

But the universe wasn’t done with Mike yet. Oh no, it had saved the best for last.

A man gaping in shock as he holds some papers | Source: Midjourney

A man gaping in shock as he holds some papers | Source: Midjourney

A week later, I got a call from Jessica. Yes, that Jessica. She was crying so hard I could barely understand her.

“Michelle,” she sobbed, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know… I mean, Mike told me you two were separated. And now… now he’s broke and homeless, and I’m pregnant, and I don’t know what to do!”

I almost felt bad for her. Almost.

“Well, Jessica,” I said, trying to keep the glee out of my voice, “I hear the circus is always looking for new acts. Maybe you two could start a juggling duo? You juggle the baby, he juggles his lies?”

She didn’t appreciate my humor. Tsk! Tsk!

Silhouette of a pregnant woman holding a smartphone | Source: Midjourney

Silhouette of a pregnant woman holding a smartphone | Source: Midjourney

As it turns out, when Jessica found out that Mike was now homeless, broke, and the laughingstock of the town, she decided that maybe being with a guy who had no money, no house, and no future wasn’t such a great idea after all.

She dumped him faster than you can say “Karma’s a b****!”

Last I heard, Mike was living in a tiny apartment, trying to scrape together enough money to pay bills and feed his hungry belly. His family had cut him off, disgusted by his behavior.

They even sent me a fruit basket and a sorry card. I ate the fruits while soaking in my new jacuzzi.

As for me? Well, the house sold for a nice profit. I moved to a beautiful new place, started my own business, and adopted a cat. I named him Karma.

A woman with her pet cat | Source: Midjourney

A woman with her pet cat | Source: Midjourney

So yeah, my revenge might have been a bit over the top. But let’s be real, bringing home a pregnant mistress and trying to kick me out of my own house? That’s not just crossing a line, that’s pole-vaulting over it and then setting the pole on fire.

In the end, I learned a valuable lesson: When life gives you lemons, don’t just make lemonade. Squeeze those lemons into the eyes of those who wronged you, and then sit back and watch them stumble around blindly. It’s much more satisfying.

And remember, folks: cheaters never prosper, but the cheated-on with a good sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic? Oh, we do just fine!

A cheerful woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

A cheerful woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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