Hey everyone, I didn’t expect to be sharing this, but after what happened last week, I just had to. I’m Audrey, a 25-year-old woman who was forced to take matters into my own hands when circumstances called for it. Stick around because you won’t want to miss this story!
For context, my mom is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. She used to have a great job, but unfortunately, she had to quit due to cancer treatment.
A cancer patient | Source: Midjourney
Even though she’s in remission now, she needed to find work quickly to help with the bills, so she got a job as a waitress at a local café. She never complains and always wears a smile, even on her toughest days.
Growing up, it was just Mom and me against the world. We’ve always been close, sharing everything from our favorite books to late-night movie marathons.
Her strength and positivity are contagious, and I can’t imagine having a better role model. Seeing her struggle but never lose her spirit has been both heartbreaking and inspiring.
A smiling mother-daughter duo | Source: Midjourney
Enter the entitled woman, Karen. She started coming to the café every day, making snide comments and belittling my mom for no reason. Here are a few examples of her nastiness:
One day, during my lunch break, I decided to visit Mom at the café. I found her serving Karen, who was, unsurprisingly, in full diva mode.
“Excuse me,” Karen called out loudly, waving her hand dramatically as if summoning a servant. “I dropped my napkin. Be a dear and get me another one.”
An entitled woman having coffee in a café | Source: Freepik
Mom, always patient, smiled and retrieved a fresh napkin, handing it to Karen with grace. But Karen wasn’t done.
“Marilyn, is it?” Karen eyed my mom’s name tag on her uniform. “Next time, try not to be so slow. I don’t have all day,” she sneered, her voice dripping with condescension.
I clenched my fists under the table, but Mom just nodded, still smiling. “Of course, ma’am. Is there anything else you need?”
Karen ignored her, turning to her phone with a dismissive wave.
A woman checking her phone while sitting in a café | Source: Midjourney
Another time, I was there when Karen decided to criticize every little thing about the service. “This coffee is too hot!” she snapped. “And this pastry is cold. Did you even bother to check? And look at this table! It’s filthy!”
Mom apologized, “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I’ll get you a fresh pastry and clean the table right away.”
“Oh, and those flowers!” Karen continued. “They’re wilting. If you can’t keep fresh ones here, maybe you should bring some from your own garden.”
Mom’s face fell slightly, but she simply said, “I’ll see what I can do, ma’am.”
A vase with dried roses on a wooden table | Source: Pexels
The worst was when Karen made it personal. One afternoon, she looked Mom up and down and said loudly to a friend, “It’s such a shame when people don’t take care of themselves. Look at her, she looks exhausted all the time. I guess some people just aren’t cut out for success.”
Mom, being the angel she is, never wanted to complain or make a scene. But last week, things went too far.
A woman working as a waitress in a café | Source: Midjourney
Mom came home in tears, her uniform stained with coffee. It turned out Karen had thrown her coffee at my mom, claiming it was too cold. It broke my heart to see her like that.
“What happened?” I asked, gently wiping her tears.
“It’s nothing, Audrey. Just a bad day at work,” she tried to dismiss it, but I could see the pain in her eyes.
“Mom, please tell me,” I insisted.
She sighed. “Karen. She threw her coffee at me because it wasn’t hot enough. I tried to apologize, but she just screamed at me and stormed out.”
A waitress with coffee stains on her dress | Source: Midjourney
“Why does she hate you so much? What’s her problem?” I asked, my voice laced with both anger and concern.
“This isn’t just about a customer being mean to a waitress, Audrey. This goes way back,” Mom hesitated, then finally admitted, “Karen is a former classmate. She’s held a grudge against me ever since your father chose me over her back in the day.”
“That’s it!” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “I’m not letting her get away with this!”
“Audrey, please. I’ll handle it,” said my mom. Her tone was convincing, filled with pure love and concern for me.
A closeup shot of a pair of intertwined hands | Source: Pexels
I shook my head, trying not to worry my mom too much. But as we hugged, my mind immediately started plotting how to teach Karen a lesson she would never forget.
Having established that enough was enough, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Finding Karen online was easy peasy. A little stalking of her social media accounts revealed she was obsessed with her image. She bragged about her lavish lifestyle and her pristine appearance.
A woman using her laptop in bed | Source: Pexels
After doing my research, I concocted a brilliant plan. First, I set up a fake Instagram account, posing as a high-end beauty influencer, Lila Sanders. With a few paid followers and some bought engagement, the account was as good as real.
Then came the next step. I started interacting with Karen’s posts, complimenting her and gradually getting her to trust the fake account.
After a week of friendly exchanges, I sent her a message about an exclusive, invite-only beauty event happening in town, claiming I had an extra VIP ticket.
A young woman smiling while using her phone | Source: Midjourney
“Hi, Karen!
I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been loving your recent posts – your style is just impeccable!
I’m reaching out because I have an extra VIP ticket to an exclusive, invite-only beauty event happening in town next week. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to network and enjoy some luxurious pampering. I thought you might be interested since you have such a passion for beauty and fashion.
Let me know if you’d like to join!
Best, Lila Sanders”
A happy woman using her smartphone | Source: Pexels
Karen jumped at the chance. “Oh my God, that sounds amazing! I’d love to go!” she texted back, her excitement practically jumping off the screen.
“The event’s at the Grand Hotel,” I told her. “The dress code is really strict, so make sure you look your best.”
She replied right away. “Absolutely! I can’t wait! Thanks so much for the invite!”
I smiled to myself, knowing that soon, Karen would regret ever messing with my mom.
A young woman smiling while holding her phone | Source: Midjourney
Karen showed up dressed to the nines, a smug smile on her face as she strutted into the hotel lobby. I watched from a distance as she approached the front desk, her confident demeanor slowly morphing into confusion.
The hotel manager, Mr. Daniels, was already waiting, looking rather displeased. I had called ahead, pretending to be Karen, and canceled her actual reservation for a spa day she had planned, explaining she was very ill and couldn’t make it.
“What do you mean my reservation is canceled?” Karen’s voice rose, attracting the attention of nearby guests. “I didn’t cancel anything!”
A very shocked and upset woman in an expensive dress | Source: Midjourney
Mr. Daniels shook his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the reservation was canceled by someone claiming to be you. We’ve already charged the cancellation fee and other costs.”
Karen’s face turned bright red as she tried to explain herself. “This is ridiculous! I demand a refund!”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Mr. Daniels said firmly. “We had everything ready for your visit, and now it’s too late to rebook.”
A hotel manager | Source: Midjourney
Flustered and embarrassed, Karen had no choice but to pay up, drawing curious and judgmental looks from the other guests. I could see her eyes darting around, trying to avoid the stares as she fumbled for her credit card.
I couldn’t help but smile to myself. But I wasn’t done yet. Remember the fake beauty event? I had arranged for a delivery of cheap, sticky, glittery “beauty products” to be sent to Karen’s address, all packed in what looked like high-end packaging.
A woman holding a nicely-wrapped box | Source: Pexels
As I watched Karen leave the hotel, I imagined the scene unfolding at her home.
When Karen finally got home, she found the delivery waiting for her. Excited, she opened the packages, only to have glitter and sticky goo explode all over her expensive outfit and pristine living room.
“What the—?” she screamed, frantically trying to brush off the glitter that stuck to everything it touched. The mess was nearly impossible to clean up, and I knew it would take days to fully get rid of.
A mess caused by cheap, sticky, and glittery products spilled on the floor | Source: Midjourney
Karen’s social media posts took a nosedive as she frantically tried to salvage her image. Her once-perfect photos now showed a frazzled woman desperately trying to maintain her facade. She even had to take a break from her daily café visits, much to my mom’s relief.
But the final blow came when I decided to confront Karen directly. I walked into the café during one of her usual visits and calmly approached her table.
A woman in a café | Source: Midjourney
“Karen,” I began, my voice steady. “I know exactly who you are and what you’ve been doing. You think humiliating my mom makes you superior, but it only reveals your insecurities and bitterness. My mom survived cancer and continues to work hard every day, while you cling to petty grudges from high school. It’s time to grow up and move on because your actions are pathetic, and you’re only embarrassing yourself.”
An upset young woman talking to an older woman in a café | Source: Midjourney
Karen’s face turned beet red, and she was completely speechless. The other customers in the café, who had overheard our conversation, stared at her in silent judgment. She quickly gathered her things and left, her head bowed in shame. I haven’t seen her in the café since.
When my mom found out what I had done, she wasn’t exactly thrilled about the deceit. “Audrey, I appreciate you standing up for me, but was all that really necessary?” she asked, a blend of concern and amusement in her voice.
A woman talking to her daughter outside | Source: Pexels
“Mom, you’ve always been there for me, making endless sacrifices to ensure my happiness. This was nothing compared to what you’ve done for me,” I replied, squeezing her hand.
She sighed but couldn’t help smiling a little. “Justice in the most glittery, sticky way possible, huh?”
“Exactly,” I grinned. “Karen needed a taste of her own medicine.”
So Karen, if you happen to see this, I hope you reconsider before lashing out at someone who only wants to brighten your day. And Mom, you truly are the strongest person I know.
A happy mother-daughter duo holding coffee cups | Source: Pexels
What would you have done differently if you were in my shoes?
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.
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