'I fixed my neighbor’s sink. Two months later, there was a huge surprise in his will...'
"I fixed my neighbor’s sink. Two months later, there was a huge surprise in his will..."
I’ve lived in the same apartment for almost 10 years. Quiet place, mostly retirees. One of them was a grumpy old guy who never smiled and always wore socks with sandals.
Two months ago, I heard banging and cursing through the wall. I knocked, and found him standing in a puddle with a wrench in one hand and a YouTube tutorial paused on his iPad. The kitchen sink was spraying water like a busted fire hydrant. I’m no plumber, but I offered to help. Took me an hour, two towels, and one trip to Home Depot. When I finished, he just grunted and said, “Huh. Thanks.”
After that, I started checking in. Bringing his mail up. Picking up his meds. Talking baseball in the hallway. He never said much, but he’d nod a little longer each time. Two weeks ago, he passed away. Massive heart attack. I figured that was that. Yesterday, a lawyer called me. Turns out he left me his condo in his will. Paid off. Furniture included. Apparently, I was the only person who “bothered to give a damn.”
I still don’t know what to do with it. I never expected anything like this. But I guess sometimes kindness boomerangs in the weirdest, wildest ways. Anyway. Be nice to your neighbors. You never know who’s watching—or what they’ll leave behind.
Here's what people had to say to OP:
cocobodraw said:
I wish you had been able to know him longer, rest in peace to your neighbor. Has to feel a bit weird receiving a gift like that under the circumstances, but you should be glad that you had a positive impact on his life.
NoWarning2327 said:
Thank you for being there for him.
Mesa_Gal said:
Kindness is always the right thing. Thank you, on behalf of humanity.
AIcookies said:
Guess you own a condo now. Time to move and save money!
Pumpkin_Maiko said:
Sounds like you earned it by way of reaching his heart. Glad you were there to show him kindness.
bashomania said:
Sorry about him passing away, but that is an awesome story and you seem like a good person. We can’t ever expect it, but it’s nice when good follows good.