Olive finally got a good job right when her son, Chris, left for college. She was so happy to be able to help him with everything he needed. As Chris stood at the train station, about to leave for New York, Olive reassured him, “Chris, don’t worry about anything. I’ll pay for as much as I can. If you need anything, just call me.”
For most of Chris’s life, Olive had struggled to make ends meet. She raised him on her own and studied at night to improve their situation. While Chris always had food and a roof over his head, Olive could never afford the things other kids had. His gifts were often second-hand, and Olive felt guilty for not being able to give him more.
Despite this, she loved him deeply and worked hard to ensure he had the best future possible. Seven years passed, and they only talked through video calls, but one day, Chris returned home and was shocked by what had happened.
Olive was finally earning a decent salary and felt proud she could give Chris anything he needed. “Thank you, Mom,” Chris said, hugging her tightly before getting on the train to New York.
Years passed, and one day, Chris decided to visit his mom. He knocked on the door of his childhood home, but there was no answer. Confused, he peeked through the window—and couldn’t believe what he saw. The house was completely empty.
***
“Mrs. Franklin, you should come to visit! I’m so huge now!” Chris’s fiancée, Rosalie, said cheerfully during a video call, showing off her baby bump. Olive smiled through the screen, but something weighed heavily on her mind.
“Mom, I wanted to ask you something,” Chris began, scratching the back of his head nervously. “Since Rosalie and I are about to graduate and we’re having a baby, I was wondering if you could help us with a house. We’ve already found one in New Jersey. We can’t afford to live in the city, but it’s beautiful, and it reminds me of home.”
Olive stared at her son, deep in thought. “Well, I… don’t know,” she hesitated, thinking about her savings and the hard work she’d put in over the years. She was finally planning for her retirement.
“Please, Mom,” Chris pleaded, explaining the cost of the house and how much they needed for a down payment. He also mentioned that Rosalie didn’t have any family to help them out.
After a long pause, Olive sighed. “Ok, Chris, ok. I think we can work something out.” She knew it would mean using up her entire savings and living even more frugally, but it was possible.
Chris’s face lit up. “Thank you! Thank you, Mom! I don’t know what I’d do without you!” he said, nearly in tears. Olive smiled back, knowing that all her sacrifices were worth it.
***
“I wish you guys could come this Christmas,” Olive said in front of her computer, as she had done many times over the years. It had been seven years since Chris left home, and he hadn’t returned to their Maryland hometown. All their communication was through video calls. Olive was missing out on her granddaughter’s life, and it hurt her deeply. But everyone was always busy, and she felt lonelier with each passing year.
Olive was working harder than ever, still helping Chris financially. She had already depleted her savings once, and now, after helping him start a business, they were almost gone again. Olive never asked Chris for anything in return, but she wished they would at least visit her, as she couldn’t make the trip herself.
“We can’t, Mom. Not this year,” Chris said, shaking his head apologetically during another video call. “But thank you for the gifts you sent Mallory. She loves them. You’re an amazing grandma.”
“Can you put her on the screen?” Olive asked gently. She smiled as she watched her granddaughter, but the longing to hold her was overwhelming.
***
What Olive didn’t know was that Chris was finally planning a surprise visit. He couldn’t afford plane tickets for Rosalie and Mallory to come with him, but he was excited to see his mother after so many years.
However, when his taxi pulled up in front of the house, Chris frowned. It was 9 p.m., and the house was completely dark. He told the driver to wait for a moment and stepped out. Something was off. The porch furniture was gone, the plants his mother had always cared for were missing, the garden was overgrown, and even the welcome mat was no longer there. His heart sank as he walked toward the door.
Chris knocked on the door again, but there was still no response. He peeked through the window and was shocked—everything inside was gone. *Did Mom move? Why didn’t she tell me?* he thought, feeling a knot of concern form in his chest.
“Chris? Is that you?” a familiar voice called out.
He turned around to see Mrs. Torres, the elderly woman who had lived next door his entire life. “Mrs. Torres! Hi!” he greeted.
“What are you doing here, kid?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m here to see Mom. Do you know where she is?” Chris asked, frowning, feeling more confused by the second.
“Oh, dear. Your mother moved away about two years ago. She sold the house, but the new owners only moved out a few weeks ago. I’m not sure who’s moving in next,” Mrs. Torres said, her face scrunching up as she spoke.
“She never told me,” Chris muttered in disbelief. “Do you know where she went?”
“Yes, I have her new address somewhere. Come inside,” Mrs. Torres replied, leading him to her house. After a few minutes, she handed Chris a piece of paper with the address written on it.
Chris read it and frowned deeply. The address was in a part of town known for being run-down. “Do you know why she moved to that area?” he asked Mrs. Torres, feeling uneasy.
“No, honey. But I know she has a roommate now,” Mrs. Torres said with a shrug, leaving Chris even more puzzled.
Feeling anxious, Chris returned to the taxi and gave the driver the new address. The car pulled up to a shabby apartment complex on a poorly lit street. The building’s paint was peeling, and it looked neglected. Chris hurried inside, noticing there was no security as he easily made his way up to the apartment.
When Olive opened the door, her eyes widened in shock. “Chris? What are you doing here?”
“Mom! What is going on? Why did you sell the house?” Chris asked, bewildered and upset.
Olive sighed heavily and stepped aside, inviting her son into the small, cramped living room. Once they sat down, she began to explain.
“The first time you asked for money for the house, I still had some savings left, so I used them to help you and Rosalie. But when you asked for money for your business, I didn’t have anything saved up. So, I decided to sell the house and give you most of the profit,” Olive said, her voice calm but tinged with sadness.
Chris was stunned. He had no idea. The realization that his mother had sold her home to help him was like a punch to the gut. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me? I never would’ve taken that money if I had known. I feel terrible… I’ve been so careless,” he said, his voice breaking with guilt.
“But, sweetheart, I just wanted you to succeed,” Olive explained softly. “I couldn’t give you much when you were younger, and I wanted to make up for it. I didn’t want you to struggle…”
Chris shook his head, his heart heavy. “Mom, you didn’t fail me. You gave me everything that mattered. I wish I had seen that sooner,” he said, his voice filled with regret.
“Mom, you gave me everything I ever needed,” Chris said, his voice shaking with emotion. “I only asked for help because I thought you could afford it. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for not checking on you, for not visiting, and for letting you live here, with a roommate, at your age. I’m so sorry.” Tears of frustration streamed down his face.
Olive, with tears in her eyes, hugged her son tightly. They held each other, both overwhelmed with emotion. Chris made many promises that night, vowing never to let her struggle again. Later, he called Rosalie and explained everything. Together, they agreed it was time to move Olive closer to them.
Fortunately, Olive found a new job in New Jersey quickly, and within a few months, they had built an in-law suite for her. Olive was finally close to her family and could enjoy every moment with her granddaughter, Mallory.
Chris worked hard and repaid his mother every penny she had given him for the house and his business, which had become a huge success. Their family was comfortable, and most importantly, Chris never let his mother sacrifice for him again. Olive never missed another precious moment of her granddaughter’s life, and Chris made sure that she would always be taken care of from then on.
Johnny Depp gave entire movie salary to another celebrity’s daughter to ensure she didn’t struggle in future
Johnny Depp is back in the news over a year after winning his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard; this time, it’s for his work-related pursuits and a beloved Heath Ledger. The well-known actor is about to make a big return in the historical drama Jeanne du Barry by Maïwenn. The movie received a thunderous seven-minute standing ovation during its world premiere at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival in 2023.
A Return to the Big Screen
Depp’s first significant film role after his protracted legal struggle with Heard is Jeanne du Barry. Both fans and critics have been eagerly awaiting the actor’s comeback to the big screen. According to the way the movie was received at Cannes, Depp’s performance struck a deep chord and might be the start of something new in his illustrious career.
A Settlement in Court and a Charitable Promise
In their well reported defamation lawsuit, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard came to a deal in December 2022. Heard had to give Depp $1 million as part of the deal. Depp’s legal team revealed that he will be giving the full settlement cash to different charity, displaying his generous nature. This act is in line with Depp’s previous charitable contributions.
A Generous Past
Depp has a long history of charitable giving. One noteworthy event was when he gave his whole payment from The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus to the late Heath Ledger’s co-star’s kid. Matilda, Ledger’s little daughter, was left behind after he died in January 2008 at the age of 28 following an accidental drug overdose. Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and other performers filled in to finish Ledger’s last movie. They each portrayed distinct iterations of Ledger’s Tony, guaranteeing the project’s success.
Assisting the Family of Heath Ledger
Along with their work on screen, Depp, Farrell, and Law chose to give Matilda their share of the movie’s profits. Their anxiety about her financial future was the driving force behind their decision. Given that Ledger had neglected to amend his will to include her. This deed of goodwill demonstrated the generosity and camaraderie of Ledger’s coworkers and was greatly applauded.
Paying Tribute to Hunter S. Thompson
Depp is a philanthropist in addition to being close to Ledger’s family. In 2005, Depp paid $3 million for his friend Hunter S. Thompson’s burial, fulfilling the famed writer and journalist’s last request to have his ashes shot from a cannon. This lavish show of devotion and regard for Thompson—whom Depp starred in the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas—was highlighted by this costly gesture.
Depp on the Legacy of Ledger
When talking back on his time spent filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Depp has nothing but praise for Heath Ledger. According to him, Ledger is “the only player out there with a thundering and ungovernable talent that is breathing heavily down the back of every established actor’s neck.” It was clear that Depp respected Ledger’s presence and skill, highlighting the significant influence Ledger had on others around him.
Accolades to My Other Cast Members
Depp also gave his co-stars in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus acclaim for their outstanding performances. He emphasized the Devil played by Tom Waits, the outstanding acting of Christopher Plummer, and the compelling roles of Lily Cole and Andrew Garfield. Depp was proud of Farrell and Law and praised them for trying to use their work to pay tribute to Heath Ledger’s legacy.
A Sturdy Comeback
Johnny Depp’s perseverance and commitment to his work are demonstrated by his journey from a contentious court case to a well-received film debut. Fans and the film business are watching closely as he returns to the spotlight. Expecting more outstanding work from this versatile performer.
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