Rich Landlord Evicts Poor Elderly Woman and Sees Her at Family Dinner on the Same Day.
A heartless landlord gave an eviction notice to a woman who couldn’t pay her rent. However, when he went to his sister’s house for a family dinner, he was shocked to find her there.
Life’s tough, and it gets even tougher when the hearts around us are made of stone. Diane Salinger, sixty-two, knew a lot about life. She’d seen far more dark days than sunny ones and cried many tears. But Diane wasn’t the type to give up. Every time life knocked her down, she got back up, ready to fight again. She’d lost her husband three years prior, and then a tornado flattened her home. But she just picked up the pieces and started all over.
With her savings, Diane bought a small grocery store in a mid-sized Michigan town. It was perfect for her: big enough to appreciate some of the exotic items she intended to carry, yet small enough to be cozy and warm. “Cozy and warm” might describe the general community, but not Diane’s landlord, Chris Turkle. It was from Chris that Diane rented her small apartment, a short walk from the store.
Diane was the perfect tenant. She was quiet, didn’t damage the property, and always paid her rent on time. Then, one month, she came up short. Chris unfolded the money he’d taken from the envelope in front of Diane and waved it in her face. “You’re $120 short, Mrs. Salinger.”
Diane flushed. “As I was explaining, Mr. Turkle, since many small businesses have struggled during Covid… Well, I extended credit to some needy families… And this month, I’m a bit short. But you know I’m good for it! I’ll pay you the $120 in two weeks…”
“If you’re willing to sink by playing Mother Teresa, that’s YOUR problem,” Chris retorted. “I, Mrs. Salinger, am a businessman, not a charity! I want you out by the end of the week!“
“But, Mr. Turkle…” Diane protested. “It’s only for a week, and it won’t happen again!”
“It happened once, and1 that’s enough for me, Mrs. Salinger. You’re OUT,” Chris said coldly. He turned his back and walked out. He felt quite justified. He’d seen Diane’s grocery store, and she seemed to be doing good business. There were always people coming in and out with heavy shopping bags full of delicious-looking produce, and her deli section, he’d heard, was extremely popular. “Short on2 money indeed!” he scoffed to himself. “Taking advantage is what it is!”
The Unexpected Twist at Family Dinner
Chris went home and got ready to go to his younger sister, Vanessa’s, for dinner. Vanessa was his favorite sister, and he often worried about her. She’d married and divorced a man who seemed to be constantly unemployed, and Vanessa worked two jobs to make ends meet. He’d offered to give her 16-year-old son a weekend job, but Vanessa always refused, blushing. “It’s okay, Chris,” she’d say. “I’ll manage!”3 But Chris had seen the dark shadows under her eyes and how thin her face was getting.
It was his nephew’s birthday, so Chris4 slipped a $20 note into an envelope and put it in his jacket pocket. Then he walked to the door and ambled the three blocks to Vanessa’s house. He knocked on the door, and Vanessa greeted him with a happy smile. She seemed more relaxed and much happier. Whatever she was cooking for dinner smelled delicious, and his mouth watered.
“Hello!” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “Where’s the birthday boy?”
“Playing video games with Diane!” Vanessa smiled. “Come in!” Vanessa walked to the stairs and called out, “Joss, Diane, come on down! It’s dinner time!”
To Chris’s dismay, in walked Mrs. Salinger, the tenant he had just kicked out of his property, and she seemed to be on great terms with his nephew and sister! Diane was equally shocked to see Chris, but she remained admirably composed.
“Hello,” she smiled. “It’s nice to see you. I didn’t know you were Vanessa’s brother…”
Chris blushed and cleared his throat. “Ehr… Yes, my younger sister… you know…”
“Come on, everyone,”5 Vanessa called out. “The roast is getting cold!”
“Roast!” Joss shouted. “That’s my favorite… But Mom, I know you only get paid next week! How can we afford this?”
Diane smiled at Joss and patted his hand. “Don’t6 worry about it,” she said. “Your mom’s credit is good with me. This smells AMAZING, and I’m starving!”
In a low voice, Chris leaned in and asked, “Is Vanessa the one you’re helping out?“
Diane smiled. “She’s one of them,” she replied. “Maybe she didn’t tell you, but one of her jobs didn’t work out, so I’m just helping her until she gets back on her feet.”
Chris felt a wave of shame color his cheeks. “I’m so sorry about… you know… But why doesn’t Vanessa come to me?”
Diane7 gently said, “You know, we all have our pride. Vanessa wants to stand on her own two feet and raise her son. Help from a friend is one thing—being a poor relative asking for charity is another.“
Chris whispered, “I’ll tell you what: from now on, you get the apartment for half price. You can call it an investment in the well-being of the town and my sister!”
A Change in Perspective
By the end of the night, Chris found Diane to be a very lovely and funny woman, and he greatly enjoyed her company. That night, his perception of his community changed. He would follow Diane’s example. He would lend a helping hand.
What can we learn from this story? That solidarity and understanding can change lives, including our own.
