Menino gasta o último dinheiro para comprar frutas para avó doente, dono da loja aparece em sua enfermaria mais tarde – História do dia

Tyler queria comprar o saco de frutas para sua avó, mas ele se recusou a levá-lo de graça. O dono da mercearia por acaso notou essa criança inflexível e brilhante e decidiu intervir de uma forma inesperada.

“O que está sempre na nossa frente, mas não conseguimos ver?” Tyler estava assistindo calmamente ao seu vídeo favorito no telefone da mãe. Ele e a avó estavam sentados na varanda da casa dela, balançando para frente e para trás em cadeiras de balanço.

Os sons sibilantes da brisa abafaram algo engraçado que a avó de Tyler disse a ele, e a dupla caiu na gargalhada.

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Tyler riu novamente só de ver a risada da avó na tela.

‘Meemaw fica tão linda quando sorri!’ ele pensou consigo mesmo.

Para Tyler, de oito anos, a de 60 anos era sua amiga mais próxima. Como toda avó, ela ajudava a cuidar da criança e dele quando seus pais estavam ocupados tentando sobreviver.

Mas Martha era diferente. Ela o ensinou a ser assumidamente curioso, a ler livros que ele não entenderia e a fazer perguntas que às vezes a deixariam sem palavras.

Martha lhe ensinou que comida era remédio e que doença era uma maneira do corpo dizer que precisava de mais de uma coisa e menos de outra.

Enquanto outras crianças da classe de Tyler compartilhavam histórias de princesas e guerreiras que ouviram de seus avós, Tyler compartilhava histórias reais de coragem e gentileza da antiga carreira de Martha como enfermeira.

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Mas talvez uma das melhores coisas que ele amava ouvir dela eram enigmas. Martha parecia ter um caminhão cheio deles em sua mente, e era missão de Tyler responder a cada um deles por conta própria, mesmo que isso levasse horas ou dias.

Por fim, quando ele acertasse a resposta, ela lhe daria um prêmio de 50 centavos.

Enquanto Tyler se sentava pensando em sua avó naquela noite, ele olhou para o cofrinho na mesa de cabeceira. Estava pesado com moedas de 50 centavos. Ele o levantou, tomando cuidado para não acordar sua mãe com o menor tilintar.

‘O que posso fazer com esse dinheiro para ajudar a vovó a melhorar?’ Tyler se perguntou, olhando para a caixa.

Tyler se lembrou do que o médico havia dito mais cedo naquele dia.

“Ela vai se recuperar lentamente, mas há um perigo real de contrair pneumonia. Se isso acontecer, vai complicar as coisas.”

Tyler se lembrava dessa palavra porque ele próprio havia contraído pneumonia uma vez. Ele tinha uma vaga lembrança de como sua avó nunca saía de sua cabeceira durante aqueles poucos dias difíceis. Ela cantava suas canções de ninar favoritas e o alimentava com bastante sopa e frutas. Entre outras frutas doces, havia um prato de fatias de laranja frescas duas vezes ao dia.

“Eles são ricos em vitamina C, Ty. Eles vão ajudar você a se curar super rápido, e você estará de pé novamente em pouco tempo!”

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

‘É isso!’ Os olhos de Tyler se arregalaram quando uma ideia lhe ocorreu. Ele sabia exatamente o que faria com o dinheiro.

‘Amanhã’, ele sussurrou baixinho. ‘Eu vou te trazer um saco das laranjas mais doces, vovó!’

Na manhã seguinte, seu pai o levou ao hospital para ver Martha. Foi uma viagem curta, mas assim que Tyler viu que estavam se aproximando do mercado local, ele implorou para seu pai parar. “Por favor, pai. Só por alguns minutos. Não me pergunte do que se trata; é uma surpresa para a vovó. Prometo que não vai demorar muito. Você pode até ficar no carro.”

O pai dele parou na frente da loja. “Seja rápido, Ty. Você precisa de algum dinheiro—”

“Não, pai. Mas obrigado!” Tyler já tinha saído do carro com sua mochila e fechado a porta atrás de si.

Ele correu direto para a seção de frutas e começou a escolher as frutas mais maduras que conseguiu encontrar. Ele pegou caixas de morangos, mirtilos, maçãs, kiwi e um grande saco de laranjas.

Satisfeito com sua própria escolha de frutas, ele correu em direção ao caixa. “Bom dia! Eu gostaria de todas essas, por favor! E um saco de papel também. Pagando em dinheiro. Quanto seria?”

Tyler estava tremendo a perna impacientemente quando viu seu pai esperando do lado de fora da loja.

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

A dona da loja, Stella, estava observando de longe. Ela se divertiu com a confiança e meticulosidade adulta do garotinho. Mas ficou chocada ao ver o que a criança fez em seguida.

Tyler entregou seu cofrinho ao caixa, dizendo: “Tem 42 dólares e 50 centavos aqui. Você pode contar se quiser. Isso é o suficiente?”

Um dos funcionários começou a contar as moedas. Enquanto isso, Stella começou a conversar com o menino impressionante.

“São muitas frutas. Para quem são?”

“Para minha avó. Ela está no hospital da cidade. Frutas vão ajudá-la a melhorar!”

O funcionário da loja que estava contando as moedas sussurrou algo no ouvido de Stella.

“Qual é seu nome, rapaz?” ela perguntou.

“Tyler.”

“Tyler, é uma quantia impressionante de dinheiro que você economizou, mas na verdade faltam $14. Mas tudo bem. Vá em frente e leve essas frutas para sua avó.”

“Não, não. Não quero levar nada de graça”, disse Tyler com firmeza e olhou para os sapatos, decepcionado.

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

“Bem, talvez você possa pular o saco de laranjas? Então você terá o suficiente para pagar pelas outras frutas.”

“Não, isso não vai funcionar. Minha avó precisa de vitamina C para combater pneumonia!”

Stella ficou impressionada com o conhecimento e a determinação de Tyler. Ela estava prestes a sugerir mais uma vez que ele pegasse de graça. Foi quando os olhos de Tyler brilharam.

“Vou te dizer uma coisa. Vou te fazer uma charada! Se você souber a resposta, vou pedir $14 ao meu pai e pagar a você. Se você não souber a resposta, terá que me pagar $14.”

Stella concordou com o enigma de 14 dólares num piscar de olhos. Alguns outros funcionários e clientes que estavam no balcão também estavam ouvindo atentamente.

“O que está sempre na nossa frente, mas não conseguimos ver?”

A audiência de Tyler quebrou a cabeça, conversando entre si, discutindo respostas. Stella parecia confusa também.

“Ar?”

“Não.”

“Óculos?”

“Não, pense novamente. Última chance.”

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

“Hmm…pequenos grãos de poeira?”

“Não, é algo que você não consegue ver de jeito nenhum – nem mesmo no microscópio!”

“Oh não! Eu perdi! Qual é a resposta?” ela perguntou com uma carranca animada.

“O futuro!”

O pequeno grupo de pessoas ao redor de Tyler aplaudiu a resposta.

Tyler arrastou alegremente o grande saco de frutas e caminhou o mais rápido que pôde em direção ao carro.

No hospital, Martha estava imersa na narração de Tyler sobre o que havia acontecido naquela manhã. No final, ela bateu palmas com orgulho e disse: “Esse é meu garoto!”

Os pais de Tyler ficaram chocados e secretamente orgulhosos dele também. Enquanto a família passava a tarde se deliciando com o banquete de deliciosas frutas frescas, alguém gentilmente abriu as portas da enfermaria.

A gentileza que você demonstra sempre retorna de alguma forma.

Uma jovem procurou pela sala com os olhos até que finalmente viu Tyler. Demorou um momento, mas Tyler se levantou ao reconhecê-la.

“Esse é o dono da mercearia desta manhã!”

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

“Oi, Tyler! Só pensei em ir visitar sua avó pessoalmente. Queria dizer a ela que neto incrível ela tem!”

Tyler tentou não corar enquanto segurava a mão da mãe e se escondia atrás dela.

“Tenho mais notícias para você! Quer ouvir as boas notícias primeiro?”

Os pais de Tyler trocaram olhares enquanto se perguntavam o que o estranho tinha a dizer.

“Haverá uma sacola de frutas frescas pronta para Tyler no supermercado toda semana, gratuitamente.”

Martha gritou de alegria e abraçou Tyler o mais forte que pôde, beijando suas bochechas várias vezes. Tyler abraçou sua avó de volta. Ele estava emocionado, mas curioso demais para esperar. “E as más notícias?”

“Quem falou em más notícias? As ‘melhores’ notícias são estas: fiquei profundamente comovido com esta criança brilhante e queria fazer algo por ele. Então, como um símbolo do meu amor e apreço, estarei cuidando de todas as despesas médicas de Meemaw! Acabei de falar com as autoridades do hospital – está tudo feito!”

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Martha não conseguia acreditar no que estava ouvindo. Ela colocou as mãos no peito como se quisesse acalmar o coração.

“Obrigada! Você não tem ideia do que isso significa para nós!”, disse a mãe de Tyler, chorando.

Ver os familiares se abraçando e chorando de alegria foi uma visão reconfortante para Stella. Ela os deixou em paz e saiu da enfermaria, segurando suas próprias lágrimas.

A verdade é que quando Tyler lhe perguntou o enigma naquela manhã, Stella foi imediatamente transportada de volta à sua vida de uma garotinha no colo da avó.

Sua avó lhe fazia charadas o tempo todo e lhe dava uma moeda de 50 centavos toda vez que ela acertava uma.

O enigma que Tyler lhe perguntou naquela manhã era o mesmo que sua avó havia ensinado a Stella pouco antes de ela dar seu último suspiro. Stella ainda tinha aquela última moeda de 50 centavos no bolso.

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Getty Images

My Husband Died on Our Wedding Day – If Only I Knew He Fooled Us All

I thought I was living my dream when I married Damian, but it all turned into a nightmare before the reception. I ended up burying my husband three days after our wedding, only to come face-to-face with him behind the wheel of a taxi.

This isn’t something I can tell the people around me, so I have to use the anonymity of the internet for it. You can call me Paige. I’m 28, and just a few months ago, I was the picture-perfect bride.

A beautiful bride | Source: Midjourney

A beautiful bride | Source: Midjourney

But my soulmate, whom you may call Damian, died after we said I do. They say life flashes before your eyes when you’re going to die, but our entire relationship flashed before mine as I saw him drop to the ground.

Damian and I met at a small café where I used to work part-time. He was one of those quiet, polite customers who always tipped well and read a book while drinking coffee.

A man with a book in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

A man with a book in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

I’d had a crush on him since I first saw him. But when he asked me out, I was shocked. He was gorgeous with his sharp cheekbones, warm hazel eyes, and quiet confidence.

I was just an average girl from a lower middle-class family, so I couldn’t believe he was interested in me. But he was, and from our first date walking on a local pier, it felt like we were meant to be.

A couple on a pier | Source: Midjourney

A couple on a pier | Source: Midjourney

Just a year later, we were standing at the altar in front of our closest friends. It was the happiest day of my life. Damian couldn’t stop smiling at me as I cried while reading my vows. We were about to start the next amazing chapter of our lives together.

But that dream ended abruptly. Before the reception, while taking some pictures with friends, Damian suddenly collapsed. At first, I thought he was joking. But when he didn’t get up, I froze.

People surrounded him, and someone called 911. The paramedics worked on him right there on the dance floor, but nothing they did worked.

A man on the floor | Source: Midjourney

A man on the floor | Source: Midjourney

They rushed him to the hospital, and I followed them in a daze. A doctor came out hours later, his face grim, and told me Damian didn’t make it. They said it was a heart attack. He was only 32 years old. How does a healthy man just die like that?

I could barely hold myself together the following days. It was all a blur until the funeral when his family showed up. I’d only met them once before, and that one meeting was enough.

Damian had warned me about them but hadn’t told me everything. His adoptive parents were snobbish and controlling. But one of Damian’s friends, Adam, confessed to me that they were also filthy rich.

Two people talking closely | Source: Midjourney

Two people talking closely | Source: Midjourney

“Damian didn’t tell you about his family’s wealth because he didn’t want it to affect how you saw him,” he said in a low voice.

I honestly never knew despite him telling me he had a successful business. Yet, it made sense. That also had to be why they didn’t approve of our relationship. I wasn’t from the “right” kind of family and Damian hadn’t invited them to our wedding.

But now they were here and spent the entire service throwing daggers at me with their eyes. I overheard his mother whisper to someone, “She was probably after his money and caused his death. Get our lawyer on the phone.”

An angry older couple | Source: Midjourney

An angry older couple | Source: Midjourney

I wanted to yell that I didn’t even know Damian had a lot of money, let alone want it. But what good would it do? They’d already made up their minds about me, and I just didn’t have the energy to fight anyone.

***

Three days after the funeral, I couldn’t take the grief and the emptiness anymore. My apartment felt suffocating as every corner held a memory of Damian.

The sadness was overwhelming and was giving me strange thoughts. On top of that, his family had started to call me. I never answered, but their voice messages were terrifying.

A home phone | Source: Midjourney

A home phone | Source: Midjourney

I needed to get away, so I threw some clothes into a small suitcase, grabbed my passport, and called a taxi. My plan wasn’t fully formed. I just knew I had to leave the city or country. Maybe I’d go to Mexico or Aruba. Anywhere that wasn’t here.

When the taxi pulled up, I climbed into the backseat and stared out the window. I barely noticed the driver as I settled into the leather and tried to breathe deeply.

“Fasten your seatbelt, please,” the driver suddenly said.

A man driving a taxi | Source: Midjourney

A man driving a taxi | Source: Midjourney

I froze. My chest tightened, and my heart started pounding. That voice was Damian’s. I whipped my head around and focused on the rearview mirror. Those eyes. Those unmistakable hazel eyes.

“Damian?” I croaked. “But…? How? How are you here? What?”

My words made no sense, but suddenly, he swerved the car away from the road toward the highway and parked on a quiet street. For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

A taxi near a highway | Source: Midjourney

A taxi near a highway | Source: Midjourney

I could see his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly like he was bracing himself for something. Then he turned around and looked right at me.

“I’m sorry, Paige,” he said softly without any preamble. “I know this is a lot to take in. I’ll explain everything. Please don’t hate me.”

I sat with wide eyes and an open mouth for the entirety of Damian’s explanation. It was too much to believe.

A woman in the backseat looking shocked | Source: Midjourney

A woman in the backseat looking shocked | Source: Midjourney

First, he told me about his family. They adopted him as a teenager and used his brilliance to expand their shady business empire, which was failing spectacularly before him. Eventually, he became the brains behind some of their most successful (and probably illegal) ventures.

For a while, he was just glad that he had proud parents and could contribute to the family who had given him a home when no one else would. But he grew tired of the illegal things.

A teen using the computer while an older woman overlooks | Source: Midjourney

A teen using the computer while an older woman overlooks | Source: Midjourney

Damian knew it was only a matter of time before they were caught, and he didn’t want to be left with nothing. So, he started a legit business and grew it into such a success that he decided not to work with his family anymore.

That’s when they turned on him. They wanted to control this venture, but Damian managed to put their threats off until he met me. Well, their shady business was also failing without him.

So, they threatened to ruin me and our lives if Damian didn’t give them a piece of the cake.

An old man yelling on the phone | Source: Midjourney

An old man yelling on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“I couldn’t let them touch you,” Damian said, rubbing his face. “They would’ve destroyed you to get to me. So I did the only thing I could think of. I made them believe I was dead.”

He went on to explain how he staged everything. There’s apparently a medication that can slow your heart rate so much that it mimics death. With the help of a professional fixer who knew the right people to pay off, he faked the collapse, the hospital pronouncement, and even the funeral.

Money exchanging hands | Source: Midjourney

Money exchanging hands | Source: Midjourney

When I asked how he escaped his grave, Damian laughed and said he wasn’t in the coffin at all. He had to be there for the viewing service, but the fixer got his people to take him out at some point without anyone noticing.

I didn’t know what to say when he finished. Was I in a George Clooney heist movie?

“I know I hurt you,” he said as his eyes watered. “But I did it for us. I couldn’t let them win.”

My mouth opened, but nothing came out, so we stayed in that cab on that quiet road for hours without speaking, except for a few whispered, “I’m sorry.”

A man in a taxi looking sad | Source: Midjourney

A man in a taxi looking sad | Source: Midjourney

Finally, when night fell, I asked him to take me home.

It was there that the dam unleashed. I spent hours yelling while he tried to justify his actions. “YOU LET ME THINK YOU WERE DEAD!” I cried out.

“I’m so sorry, baby!”

“DON’T CALL ME BABY!”

A woman yelling | Source: Midjourney

A woman yelling | Source: Midjourney

By the morning, I was all cried out, and my voice was hoarse, but I finally asked, “What now?” It wasn’t like we could go back to how things were. He was supposed to be dead. His family could easily see him here.

Damian then explained his idea for the future. By faking his death, he ensured that all his legitimately earned assets were transferred to me. His family couldn’t touch them now. All I needed to do now was to sell and split it with him.

A computer showing scanned bank statements | Source: Midjourney

A computer showing scanned bank statements | Source: Midjourney

But soon enough, he was moving abroad for good. I was shaking my head, still in disbelief, when he asked me something outrageous.

“I know that I hurt you terribly, but is there any way you’d want to come with me?” he asked.

I scoffed and remained quiet for a long time, but eventually, I answered.

“I can’t just pick up where we left off, even in another country,” I told him. “I’ll do whatever you need with the assets and the money, but you broke my heart. I don’t think I can trust you enough to start over. I need space.”

A woman sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

He nodded seriously. “I understand. Take all the space and time you need. I have to leave later today. But I’m not giving up on us, Paige. I’ll wait for as long as it takes.”

Before Damian left, he left me his contact information and promised to check in when he could.

For the next few weeks, I was furious. I didn’t respond to his texts. But I did start arranging to sell his business and consolidate assets. That brought some trouble with his parents, who wanted to claim what Damian had left me after his “death.”

I had to see them several times in the presence of lawyers, and they were scary people.

Angry older couple in a lawyer's office | Source: Midjourney

Angry older couple in a lawyer’s office | Source: Midjourney

But there was nothing they could do legally to take anything from me, and my attorneys weren’t afraid of them. So, his parents were forced to back off, and I was free to sell what I needed.

When all was said and done, I started to see what Damian had done as the right choice. He was protecting himself and me from them. It was reckless and stupid but also selfless.

Weeks later, I realized something: I still loved him. Despite what he put me through, my heart hadn’t let go. I picked up my phone and dialed his number.

A woman in bed using a phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman in bed using a phone | Source: Midjourney

“Paige?” he answered, pleasantly surprised.

“Where are you?” I asked. “I’ll go there, but never do that to me again.”

And that was it. Now, I’m in another country where they speak an entirely different language, but the beach is 30 minutes away.

I had to give up everything, and it was worth it. Damian and I had another wedding and actually got to enjoy it this time. His parents won’t ever find us, and we’re living our best life.

A woman on the beach with a man behind her | Source: Midjourney

A woman on the beach with a man behind her | 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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