When Chris was hospitalized, his daughter sent her son, Peter, to check on him and ensure his house was ready for him to return. However, Peter and his wife had different plans. Chris came back to find his home in disarray and then discovered some unsettling news from his grandson.

“Dad, don’t worry. I’m going to work something out. But I can’t visit you because I’m out of paid time off at work,” Angelina reassured her father, 87-year-old Chris, when he called her during his hospital stay.

Chris had dialed 911 after experiencing a heart episode, fearing it might be serious. The doctors wanted to run more tests and insisted on keeping him for observation. He reached out to his daughter, who resided in Miami, to see if she could come assist him in Austin, Texas, once he was released.

Unfortunately, Angelina couldn’t make it. “It’s okay, dear. The doctors are just being thorough because of my age. They’ll have more information for me soon enough,” Chris said softly, holding his phone to his ear from his hospital bed.

“Hannah, calm down. It’s fine. It just messes with our plans for a bit,” he placated. Plans?

They ended the call, and the doctors requested Chris to stay in the hospital for a few more days to monitor his condition before formulating a treatment plan.

***

“You need to head to Austin and check on your grandfather. He’s all alone,” Angelina urged her son, Peter.

“I’m not sure if I can, Mom,” Peter hesitated, speaking on the phone with his persistent mother.

“Peter, your grandfather needs you. Who knows what might happen with his heart condition? You’re his only grandson, don’t forget that,” she persuaded. “He always mentioned that you would inherit his house and belongings. It would be wise to see what might need repairs to ensure his comfort in the time he has. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to bond with him,” Angelina insisted.

Peter was silent momentarily, and Angelina feared he might have hung up. Finally, he replied with a peculiar tone, “Alright, alright. I’ll go. Hannah will accompany me. I can probably arrange some time off as I’ve accumulated vacation days.”

“Good. Thank you, son. My work won’t allow me to leave, but I trust you’ll take care of Grandpa. I love you,” she said, comforted by the thought that her father would not be alone after his hospital release.

“I love you too, Mom. Bye,” Peter ended the call, though his true intentions were concealed from Angelina.

***

A few days later, the doctors prescribed medication for Chris and advised him to avoid physical strain. They discharged him with warnings about managing his health post-recovery.

Chris nodded through the medical advisories, though his thoughts were elsewhere. Angelina hadn’t called the previous day, and she had assured him Peter would be at his house.

Without his grandson’s contact information, Chris hoped to see him there. He took a cab from the hospital to his home.

Upon arrival, he was alarmed to see some of his furniture strewn on his front lawn. His front door, which the paramedics had closed completely upon taking him to the hospital, was slightly open. What could have happened? Shock hit harder when he entered his home.

The house was bare. Paintings, military memorabilia, the credenza, kitchen table and chairs—everything but a few items lounged on the lawn—were missing. Plastic sheets were scattered, hinting at either painting or construction work within the house.

“Hello?” Chris called into the vacant space, hearing footsteps approach from the bedroom hallway.

“Grandpa?” Peter asked, surprised by his sudden presence. Chris disregarded Peter’s puzzled look.

“Peter! Oh, thank goodness! I feared someone burglarized the place. What’s happening, my boy?” He rushed to his grandson, embracing him fondly.

“Well, no, nothing like that,” Peter muttered, uncertain as he returned the hug.

Detecting something amiss in Peter’s demeanor, Chris asked, “So, tell me, what exactly is going on here?”

“We wanted it to be a surprise,” Peter started hesitantly.

“We?”

“Yes, Hannah and I. She’s in the back,” Peter explained, turning to call his wife from the hallway. “Honey!”

“What?” Hannah emerged, eyes widening at Chris’s presence. “Hello, Mr. Harvey,” she greeted.

“Hello, dear! Lovely to see you again since the wedding,” Chris smiled warmly and kissed her cheek. “So, what’s this about my home, then?”

Peter and Hannah exchanged a brief, odd glance before Peter responded. “We thought a remodel would be a nice surprise. It desperately needed upkeep to help uplift your spirits. But, it seems our timing was a bit off.”

Beaming at their thoughtfulness, Chris exclaimed, “That’s splendid! Although I hope you’re not spending too much,” he mused.

“Oh no, no. We know someone who could help,” Hannah assured, her expression tense but unnoticed by Chris.

“Great. But where’s all my stuff?”

“Most of it is in storage, while some items we plan to replace are waiting for the garbage pickup outside. We needed space for the remodeling,” Peter answered with pauses of uncertainty. “Your bedroom is still intact. You’ll sleep soundly tonight,” he added.

“Thank you! I’m incredibly grateful. You two are wonderful!” He hugged them, feeling pure happiness to see his family again and appreciate their efforts on his behalf. “I need to fill some prescriptions, but I’ll return shortly,” he mentioned before leaving.

“Sure!” Peter and Hannah chimed, laughter vaguely masking concealed emotions.

Chris frowned briefly, dismissing their awkwardness before heading to the nearby pharmacy.

Upon his return, the house was empty, except he heard murmurs from the old bedroom of his daughter, Angelina. Approaching to inquire about dinner preferences, he overheard unsettling whispers.

“What are we going to do, you fool?” Hannah chastised her husband, whom Chris had never known to speak so harshly.

“Relax, Hannah. It alters our plans slightly,” Peter replied, attempting to calm her agitation. Plans?

“Slightly? You told me he was near death, and this was going to be our house! You expect me to spend on this place when we rent?” she retorted bitterly.

Chris silently gasped, clenching his fist to prevent any noise from escaping, determined to hear more.

“Hannah, it’s okay. We’ll inherit the house eventually and be richer for it. Consider it an investment,” Peter coaxed, struggling to contain his displeasure.

Furious, Hannah declared, “No! I refuse to contribute another cent, and I don’t care about him! First thing tomorrow, we’re flying home. This was an utter waste!”

“We can’t leave things half-done!”

“Oh yes, we can! And we will! That’s final,” she screamed, and Chris had heard enough. Retreating, he deliberately re-entered with a resounding bang.

“I wanted to thank them for all the work they’ve done on my house… because I’m going to enjoy it for the rest of my life.”

He called out with Peter and Hannah playing along with pleasantries. Chris’s plan to process what he’d learned and teach them a lesson steadily molded in his mind.

During a spaghetti and meatball dinner on the floor, he transitioned the topic deliberately.

“Peter, I need to discuss something significant,” Chris stated as he detected their curiosity shift. “Moving into a permanent nursing home appeals to me now to avoid emergency risks here. I’d like you two to have the house once I leave.”

Peter and Hannah, almost jubilant, exchanged looks of excited disbelief. “Really? Are you for real?” his grandson beamed.

“Without a doubt,” Chris assured, succeeding in their renovations with some of Chris’s valuables preserved while others were discarded. His compliant facade masked a deeper offense.

With the house freshly remodeled, Chris scheduled a housewarming celebration, where he hinted at his move but maintained a stalwart façade amid their glee.

Friends from afar joined, everyone enjoying the lively festivity. Chris stealthily submitted to their remodeling until an unveiling moment arose.

“To my grandson and his charming wife,” he toasted, gratitude falsely heralded, while praising their diligent efforts. “For all they’ve done at my home… because I’m staying for good!”

Perplexed, the gathering swiveled to Peter and Hannah clearly misunderstanding Chris’s proclamation. Conversations of their anticipated transition were shattered.

“You assumed wrongly that my end be nigh,” Chris corrected harshly, illuminating guests on their intentions. “Upon my unexpected return, they intended their leave, leaving me with mere remnants,” the party ambiance diminished.

Peter implored for a private audience but Chris declined firmly.

“No necessity for secrecy. Their duplicity surfaces. For they commandeered this house pending inheritance, I’ve resolved its charitable fate,” Chris avowed, confronting the room.

Mortified, Hannah fumed a hasty exit, Peter trailing in discontent.

Chris unleashed them and their embarrassed guests at the harsh directive to vacate his premises immediately. Their deceit bore exposed consequences.

The following day, Chris debriefed Angelina about Peter’s genuine ambitions and joined wrath in his disregard. Understanding her father’s motivation, she inquired, “Are you at peace severing ties this way?”

“He assuredly concluded that relationship when he sought my early demise,” Chris solemnly declared.

Inhaling years of life, Chris spent 11 more years until posthumously arranging his estate’s allocation to beneficent support for fellow seniors.

What insights could be garnered from this tale?