Karl was forced to run away from his wedding, but Jessica never understood why he stood her up at the altar. Years later, she received a note in the mail with his name on it. No matter how much time had passed, Jessica never forgot him, and what he wrote was astonishing.
“You will leave this church immediately and never return. Do you understand me, boy?” Hubert Pennigton, Jessica’s father, threatened Karl with a stern look. They were standing in the men’s dressing room behind the church.
“I’m not a boy, sir. I’m a man, and I love your daughter. I will not abandon her. It’s our wedding day,” Karl insisted, pleading his future father-in-law to understand.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“I never liked you two dating, and I’m not going to let this continue. My daughter will not be marrying a loser who works paycheck to paycheck,” the older man sneered. “Do you hear me? I have friends in high places, as well as connections in some others. I can make your life a nightmare. If you don’t disappear willingly, I’ll make you leave by any means necessary.”
“Is that a threat?” Karl asked, squaring up to Hubert, trying not to show how afraid he was. He knew Jessica’s family was connected to some important people and a few dangerous folks, too, so Karl knew the older man’s words were not in vain.
“I don’t make threats, boy, I make promises. Now, you will leave this place right now without anyone noticing and ghost Jessica forever, OR ELSE!” Hubert finished, raising his voice, in the end, to get his point across thoroughly. He poked his index finger in Karl’s chest painfully, gave him a disdainful look, and exited.
Karl didn’t know what to do. He truly loved Jessica, but her father would hurt them both just to get his way. He paced around the room for a few more minutes then decided to leave before his groomsmen came to find him. He was quick, exiting through the back of the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan and hailing a cab right there.
“Where to, sir?” the taxi driver asked.
“DTW, please,” Karl replied. He was going to the airport and flying across the country to get away from these people. I hope Jessica can forgive me, Karl thought while resting his elbow on the window sill and facing out.
All they had left was a single Polaroid photo, a painful reminder of a wedding that was never meant to be.
Fifty years later…
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
At 75, Jessica liked to sit outside on her porch and watch the kids running around Rosedale Park Historic District, one of the best neighborhoods in Detroit. She always took a cup of tea and a book to read. It was a peaceful time, but Jessica inevitably thought about her life during those times. Today was that kind of day.
She remembered her first wedding well, as it was the only time she was ever excited to have one. Karl was the love of her life, or so she thought. But when she reached the end of the aisle on her father’s arm, she saw everyone’s worried faces. Karl had disappeared, and no one knew why. They waited hours for him to return.
His groomsmen went to his house, and everything was intact. But Karl never returned, and Jessica cried on the steps of the Masonic Temple for several more hours. It was one of the best wedding venues in the city, and she always dreamed of getting married there. However, it was not to be. Her mother comforted her as best she could, but her father was actually happy.
Five years later, her father introduced her to Michael Keller, the son of a family friend. He was wealthy and connected, so her dad pushed until she accepted his proposal. They got married and had a daughter, Cynthia, almost immediately. However, Jessica filed for divorce the moment her father died.
Her husband had cheated throughout their entire relationship and was glad to separate from her, so it was a win-win situation for everyone involved. She took the then-six-year-old Cynthia, moved to her house in the Rosedale Park area, and forgot about her failed love life.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Years went by, and Cynthia grew up to become an amazing career woman. She got married right there at the Masonic Temple and gave Jessica three gorgeous grandchildren, who visited often.
I had a great life, Jessica thought to herself while sipping her tea. It was true, although she never tried dating again. But once in a while, she thought about Karl and still wondered why he had disappeared.
Suddenly, the mailman snapped her out of her inner musings with a bright smile and a loud, “Hello, Mrs. Pennington!”
“Oh, dear. You scared me,” Jessica answered after almost dropping her tea.
The mailman laughed and apologized humorously. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But I have a letter for you. I think someone wrote it by hand even. So fancy! People don’t do that anymore,” the mailman said, handing Jessica the letter. She thanked him with a smile, and he left, waving goodbye.
The last thing she expected to see was the name “Karl Pittman” on the envelope, but it was right there along with her name and address.
“I can’t believe this,” she breathed and settled her cup of tea on the porch railing with a shaking hand. Suddenly, she was back at that church, crying on her mother’s shoulders.
Her hands still shook as she tried to open the envelope. She took a big breath before starting to read what was Karl’s unmistakable handwriting.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Dear Jessica,
I don’t know if you’ll be glad to hear from me. But after all this time, I want you to know that not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. Your father threatened me on our wedding day, and I was young and afraid. I shouldn’t have listened, but I did, and I ran off. I moved to California with nothing but the clothes on my back.”
Jessica had to stop reading for a few moments and wipe a few tears off. She knew her father had something to do with it. She knew Karl loved her and wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It didn’t change anything, but it soothed that old ache that never went away. Karl was right to leave. Her father never made threats he wasn’t serious about and didn’t take “no” for an answer. She focused on the letter again and continued reading.
“I never married nor had children. You were the love of my life, and I wanted nothing else. I hope this letter finds you well. I’m leaving my phone number, and there’s my address, so you can write me back if you want. I don’t know how to use Facebook, and all that stuff kids have these days. But I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely, Karl.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Jessica’s tears kept falling for several minutes after finishing the letter, but then she laughed. She also had no idea how to use all that technology available these days. Therefore, she got up and went inside to find her stationery. It was time to write back.
For the next few months, they wrote to each other often, recounting even the smallest moments in each other’s lives. Until Karl finally called her and they stayed on the phone for hours. A year later, he moved back to Detroit, and they rekindled their lost relationship.
They were old and might not have much time together, but they were going to enjoy one another’s love for as long as they could.
What can we learn from this story?
- It’s never too late to find love again. Jessica gave up on relationships for many years until she found the love of her life again at 75.
- Tell your partner the truth. If Karl had told Jessica about her father’s threats, they could’ve run away together or dealt with it in some form. But he took off, and they would never know what could’ve been.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who stole his grandmother’s money, but she got her revenge.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Grandkids Destroyed My Neighbor’s House with Party While She Was at Husband’s Funeral – I Taught Them a Harsh Lesson
Grandkids Destroyed My Neighbor’s House with Party While She Was at Husband’s Funeral – I Taught Them a Harsh Lesson
My sweet old neighbor recently lost her husband and left to fulfill his wish to be buried beside his father, leaving her house in her grandchildren’s care. But the brats trashed it with a party and ran off. I stood up for the poor old lady and taught her grandkids a priceless lesson.
So, here’s a story about the time I had to teach some bratty grandkids a lesson they’d never forget. It all started with my sweet, kind, and friendly neighbor, Mrs. Jacobs.
Her husband, Mr. Jacobs, passed away recently. His last wish was to be buried next to his father’s grave, which was several hundred miles away on the other side of the city…
People at a funeral | Source: AmoMama
Mrs. Jacobs, being the devoted wife she was, went off to fulfill his last wish, saying she’d be back ASAP. She assured me everything would be fine while she was away.
Before she left, I offered to feed her two dogs and cats. Mrs. Jacobs thanked me but told me it wasn’t necessary.
“I’ve invited my grandchildren, Jordan and Ariana, to stay over while I’m gone. They’re in their sophomore year in college, so they can handle it,” she said. Famous last words.
An older lady walking on a porch | Source: AmoMama
She seemed so confident in their ability to manage the house and take care of her beloved pets, and I didn’t want to undermine her trust in them.
I’m a nurse, so I had a graveyard shift that night. The next morning, I decided to drop by Mrs. Jacobs’s house to check if everything was okay and maybe say hi to the grandkids.
A young nurse outside a house | Source: AmoMama
It had been several months since I last saw them, and I thought it’d be a good time to offer my condolences. Plus, I wanted to ensure Mrs. Jacobs’s pets were doing alright in her absence.
When I knocked on the door, no one answered. Weird. So, I slowly pushed it open, and it was unlocked.
For illustration purposes only | Source: AmoMama
What greeted me was pure chaos. Imagine empty alcohol bottles, broken cabinets, graffiti on the walls, stale pizza boxes, and clothes strewn everywhere. It was like a tornado had hit the place.
The mess was so extensive that it was hard to know where to start if you wanted to clean it up.
It didn’t take long to figure out what had happened. Her lovely grandchildren had thrown a massive party and left the house trashed.
A chaotic party scene | Source: AmoMama
I couldn’t believe my eyes. The audacity of these kids! Instead of being there for their grieving grandmother, they turned her home into a frat house.
They showed no respect for her or her property, and it made my blood boil.
I was seething with anger, but I knew I had to act fast. Just then, a cab pulled up, and out stepped Mrs. Jacobs. She looked exhausted but hopeful. But when she saw the mess, she burst into tears.
A shocked older woman | Source: AmoMama
It was heart-wrenching to see her so devastated by the destruction of her home.
“Nina, what… what happened to my house?” she sobbed, clutching my arm, her body shaking with the intensity of her grief and shock.
I took a deep breath. “I don’t know, but I’ll fix this,” I promised, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “Why don’t you stay at my sister’s place for a couple of days? I’ll take care of everything here.”
An upset older lady sitting on the couch | Source: AmoMama
Her eyes filled with gratitude. “What are you going to do?” she asked, looking at me with hope and desperation.
“Just trust me,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I have a plan.”
Glistening eyes of older woman | Source: AmoMama
The next morning, I called Jordan and Ariana.
“Listen, your grandma is not well,” I lied. “She doesn’t have much time left, and she’s deciding who will inherit her estate.”
“Wait, what?” Jordan sounded shocked. My plan seemed to work and I knew I had his attention.
A young man talking on the phone | Source: AmoMama
“She’s got a significant amount of money in her bank account,” I continued.
“She’ll leave it to the grandchild who proves they care about her the most.”
“Are you serious?” Ariana asked when I called her next, excitement evident in her voice. I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head, calculating her chances of getting the inheritance.
A young woman in a cafe engaged in a phone call | Source: AmoMama
“Yes, and if she finds out about the mess you made, you’ll both be out of the will,” I warned, hoping the threat would motivate them to take immediate action.
Within hours, Jordan and Ariana showed up with a few friends.
They cleaned up the mess, scrubbed the walls, fixed the broken cabinets, painted the fence, and even took care of the leaky roof Mrs. Jacobs had been complaining about for months.
A young man and woman in a car | Source: AmoMama
I watched from my balcony, sipping on my cinnamon coffee, a triumphant smile on my face as they worked tirelessly to restore the house.
“Make sure you get that spot by the fireplace,” Jordan barked at one of his friends, pointing at the grime that had accumulated there over time.
A young woman clutching a cup of coffee on the balcony | Source: AmoMama
Ariana was on her knees, scrubbing the floor. “This better be worth it,” she muttered under her breath, clearly not enjoying the task but determined to see it through.
The next evening, Mrs. Jacobs returned. Her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the spotless house.
“Oh my goodness, Nina, I’m not able to recognize my own house! How did you manage this?” she asked, tears of joy streaming down her face.
A surprised older woman | Source: AmoMama
“Just a little trick, Mrs. Jacobs!” I replied, not giving away the whole truth. I wanted her to feel at peace and not worry about the effort it took to clean up the disaster her grandkids had left behind.
Her grandchildren hovered around her, eager to please. They competed for her attention, hoping to secure their place in her will. It was almost comical to see how quickly they had changed their tune.
Teary eyes of an older woman | Source: AmoMama
“Nana, I made your favorite stew,” Ariana said, presenting a steaming bowl with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. The effort was there, even if the sincerity was questionable.
Jordan cut in, “And I’m taking you to the new art exhibit downtown this weekend. Thought it’d be a nice change of pace,” he added, trying to one-up his sister.
Young man with older woman | Source: AmoMama
Over the next few weeks, I watched in amusement as Jordan and Ariana doted on their grandmother.
Jordan took her on a vacation to Miami, something he’d never done before, and Ariana drove her around town, did her laundry, and even cooked meals for her. They were going above and beyond to show their care.
Young lady in the kitchen | Source: AmoMama
It was such a pleasure to watch the grandchildren take care of Mrs. Jacobs and have most of her wants fulfilled. For instance, Mrs. Jacobs had a rotten tooth that needed immediate attention.
It thrilled my heart to watch Jordan and Ariana fight on the porch over who would take their grandma to the dentist.
Young man and woman staring at each other | Source: AmoMama
“You took her last time!” Ariana shouted, crossing her arms defiantly, clearly not wanting to back down from the responsibility.
“Yeah, but she likes my car better,” Jordan retorted, keys dangling from his finger, trying to assert his superiority.
An annoyed young lady | Source: AmoMama
You won’t believe it, but they started visiting their grandma regularly on weekends and even drove her to church every Sunday.
I was so happy for Mrs. Jacobs and the pleasant changes in her fragile, old age.
But deep down, it also saddened me to know that her grandkids were competing only for her money. It would hurt the poor old lady if she ever discovered this, right?
Woman sitting on a couch | Source: AmoMama
God, I hope such a day never arrives in Mrs. Jacobs’s life, or it would tear her apart.
One day, Mrs. Jacobs came over to my place, a radiant smile on her face.
“Nina, I’m so happy. My grandchildren have changed so much. They’re always around, taking care of me. I don’t know what you did, but thank you!” she chirped.
I smiled, squeezing her hands. “Just did what needed to be done,” I said, winking at her, feeling a mixture of satisfaction and relief that my plan had worked so well.
Happy older woman on a warm evening | Source: AmoMama
She hugged me tightly. “They’re taking me to a movie today,” she said, beaming with joy and pride in her “transformed” grandchildren.
As she left, I offered a silent apology, hoping she’d never discover the truth. I wanted her to live happily, surrounded by the love she deserved, without ever knowing the extent of my intervention.
Older lady and young woman embracing each other | Source: AmoMama
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