That evening, Elliot returned to the demolished site to celebrate. “Getting rid of that old thorn was so easy!” he exclaimed. Suddenly, he found a broken photo frame and gasped, “Mom? What is her photo doing here?”
He drove to the nursing home to confront Joe. “How did you get my mom’s photo? That’s me with her. Do you know my mom?” Elliot demanded.
Joe, initially silent, revealed, “I found your mother Samantha on the road with a baby in her arms 30 years ago. Her boyfriend, your dad, had kicked her out.” Joe had sheltered Samantha and treated her like his daughter for five years.
Elliot, puzzled, asked, “Why did she move out?” Joe explained, “I bought her a new house and helped her start a business. She became successful but never forgot me. I attended her funeral ten years ago, but you wouldn’t have noticed me.”
Realizing Joe’s kindness, Elliot decided to make amends. He put up an “Under Construction” board on Joe’s property and, in less than four months, built a new house for him. Elliot apologized and promised to repay Joe’s kindness. Joe, however, said, “You are my grandson. I accept this house and nothing more, just your love.”
Inspired, Elliot built retirement homes for older adults in the city, helping those in need and vowing never to demolish another house without consent.
