Erabaru.net. When Zoe and Keegan rented Vincent’s house, they were a young couple. Years later, the old man became family to them, did far more than any other landlord ever did, and was ridiculed by others for it. Little did Vincent know that the kindness and love he gave to the young couple would come back to him when he needed it most.
Vincent was a kind and God fearing man. One morning, he was working in his garden, planting roses which his beloved wife admired when a young couple visited him. They are both 18 years old and looking for a place to live.
Vincent initially tells them that he does not accept new partners and kicks them out. But then something in his heart changed, and he chased after them.
“Hello, young couple!” he called them from afar. “You said what’s your name?”
The couple turned when they heard his voice. “My name is Keegan,” the young man replied. “And this is Zoe, my fiancé.”
“You are still interested in my house?” he asked. “I’ve changed my mind a bit. You can check it out if it’s okay with you!”
“Is it right?” Zoe said with a bright smile. “Yes! We will be happy to receive you!”
Zoe and Keegan are both orphans who met at an orphanage, fell in love, and decided to start a family right away. Keegan was a carpenter and the only hand worker, so they had less money, but they were happy.
When they go to Vincent’s house, Zoe is pregnant. They are looking for an affordable place to live in a safe environment for their child. However, Vincent demanded a price the poor couple could not afford.
“Is there no way you can cut it down to a few dollars?” Zoe asked. “We won’t be able to afford it.”
“Miss,” said Vincent. “That’s impossible for me. My ranch and tenants give me money to live on. You look elsewhere then!”
“It’s not just about the rent,” Keegan demanded. “We are pregnant, and we love your home. We want our children to grow up here. Can you consider it and give us a discount?”
Vincent thought for a moment and said: “You know, Imma let you have this one. Something tells me I can’t say no.”
“God always helps me, and I will help you two!”
Vincent sympathized with young Keegan and Zoe and offered them the house for half the price he had decided on. But it doesn’t match up with its neighbors.
“You burned a hole in your pocket!”
“The couple cheated on you emotionally by raising their child!”
“What are you? Half the rent? That’s crazy!”
“Wait until they ask for more help!”
“In my opinion, Vincent, you shouldn’t have done that!”
These are just a few of the few comments Vincent’s neighbors made about the young couple he has set up with. But he didn’t change his mind.
“You are pregnant, lady! You better stay healthy for the little life inside you because I’m best friends with that baby. And you should let me know if you two need anything!”
Vincent always wished the couple well, and since he was childless he was just as excited to hold their new baby as they were. He never remarried after losing his beloved wife, Marlene, to cancer.
When Zoe and Keegan have to go to the hospital because Zoe’s water broke, Vincent drives them there. He was always there for the couple, and he prayed to God when Zoe went into labour.
“Dear God, I pray that everything goes well. Please take care of her and her child.”
But God was a bit late in answering Vincent’s prayer. Zoe dies in childbirth. While she brought a beautiful baby boy into the world, she was never able to kiss, touch, or hold him.
When Keegan got the bad news, he couldn’t even hold their baby. The fact that his wife never came back broke his heart.
“Stay strong, baby!” Vincent comforted the young man. “You have to calm down for the sake of your child. You have to stay strong, okay?”
For days after Zoe’s funeral, Keegan did not come out of his bedroom, leaving Vincent to care for the baby on his own.
“See, baby, isn’t she worth it?” One day Vincent was talking to his late wife. “This little fellow… you will be very happy if you have the chance to take care of him. I hope God gives his father the strength to rise from his loss. It gets hard, you know… I was in his shoes when I lost you.”
A month passed. It took Keegan time to recover from Zoe’s death, but things are improving. She started working two jobs to support her child and pay the rent.
“Hey, kid, don’t worry, okay?” Vincent then told Keegan. “You have to work and earn money, and don’t worry about your child. I’ll help you, okay?”
“This man is there for you.”
“Thanks Vincent,” Keegan said through tears. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay your kindness. But if I can, I definitely will. I promise.”
Keegan is overcome with emotion when Vincent offers to babysit his son. Vincent said that since he had no children of his own it was a pleasure for him, but the old man’s heart knew he did it because he felt bad for his tenants.
Vincent took care of the baby boy as if it were his own. He played with her, changed her diapers, and sang her lullabies. His neighbors laughed at him and thought he was a free ‘nanny’ for the boy. But Vincent didn’t mind any of that. Little Justin needed him, and he would do anything for him.
Several years passed. Justin grew up, but Vincent’s love for the boy never changed. Keegan told Justin stories about how ‘Uncle Vincent’ was always there for them when he was at work, so when Vincent was bedridden, Justin was always there for the old man.
“You will get well soon, Uncle Vincent!” the boy will gladly reassure him. “We still have to watch all the football games we haven’t had time to watch, okay?”
Vincent nodded and smiled. Every time.
One day, Justin visits him, but Vincent is sleeping… sleeping soundly. Justin didn’t bother him, but seeing Vincent like that still made him feel weird. Soon the boy knew his Uncle Vincent had gone to Aunt Marlene.
“May you rest in peace, Uncle Vincent. I… I will miss you!” he cries.
Some stories meet sad endings, but Vincent’s is tragic. She has made so many plans with Justin. They should have traveled together and chased so much football. But life was a little cruel to him and soon took him away. The fact that he was at least surrounded by the people he loved when God called him home was the only thing that comforted Justin’s heart. He still misses Vincent.
What can we learn from this story?
Help others without expecting anything, and that kindness will come back to you one day. Vincent looked after Justin without expecting anything in return, and his kindness returned to him in the form of love when he was bedridden and needed someone to take care of him.
Unfortunately, some stories have tragic endings. Unfortunately, Vincent was never able to carry out the plans he and Justin had made.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.(yn)
Source: amomama
