Jimmy and his father have their own system of traditions. They would go to the park every Saturday afternoon to play baseball and then stop at their favorite ice cream shop for a double scoop of chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
They always walked past a homeless man who sat at the same street corner when they left the ice cream shop. Jimmy’s father would always open his wallet and give over each dollar he had, and the man would always smile.
‘One day, John Landry, I’ll give you back the money every cent!’ he would reply.
Jimmy’s father would answer, ‘Sure, Wayne.’ ‘I have my fingers crossed!’
Jimmy grabbed his father’s hand one day. ‘ How did that man know your name, Dad?’
‘Jimmy,’ said John. ‘Wayne was someone I knew when I was in college.’ He was always on the brink of making a major breakthrough. Anyway, things did not go well for him, which is to be expected.
A kind heart is always appreciated.
‘So I give him what I can when I see him, and he says he’ll use it for lab equipment.’ I know it’s not true, but I try to act as if it is… I assure him I believe him when he says he’ll share the rewards of his discoveries.’
Jimmy didn’t comprehend all his father said, but the emotion in his voice moved him to stop and hold him warmly. Jimmy had no idea it was going to be his last hug.
Jimmy’s father’s ‘huge’ heart went out that night while out on his nightly run. John Landry had died, and Jimmy had been alone in the world since his mother had died when he was born.
Wendy, his grandmother, was the only person he had left. Even though Jimmy’s father had a profitable small software firm when he died, it failed, and with it went everything he owned, including their home.
Gran Wendy only had her pension, so she found them a trailer to live in, and Jimmy’s life became very difficult. Wendy did her hardest, but she couldn’t give her grandson all he had when his father was alive.
Even though she was quite old, she found a job working the night shift at a laundry. But her health became worse, and Jimmy became deeply concerned. Jimmy would be alone in the world if Gran Wendy died as well.
He began to cry frequently and became quite silent. Wendy made the decision to cheer him up. She said, ‘Listen, Jimmy.’ ‘How about going to the park on Saturday?’
So Jimmy and Gran Wendy went to the park and passed the ball around, then to the ice cream store. They exited, and Jimmy noticed Wayne, his father’s homeless friend, standing on the corner.
‘Wait!’ screams Gran Wendy. Jimmy cried. ‘I have to get stuff done!’ Jimmy approached Wayne and turned inside out his pockets, but all he had was twenty cents. He got upset.
‘I’m sorry Wayne, but I only have twenty cents!” he cried with tears in his eyes.
Wayne said, ‘Hey there.’ ‘That’s fine! Every penny counts! How is your father? I haven’t seen him in a long time!’
Jimmy was crying at this point, and Gran Wendy came running. ‘He’s dead!’ Jimmy cried. ‘He’s dead, we’re poor, and I’m worried Gran Wendy will pass away soon, leaving me alone!’
Gran Wendy wrapped her arms around Jimmy and swore she wouldn’t die when Wayne learned that Jimmy’s father had died.
Wayne then added, ‘Listen, when my patent application is approved, I’ll be a millionaire. And because John was an investor, I promised him a significant piece of my money! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re safe!’
Gran Wendy smiled and shook her head sadly. ‘Thank you,’ she expressed her gratitude. ‘Thank you very much.’ Despite her disbelief, she offered Wayne their address so he could contact them when he became rich.
Wendy was taken aback when Wayne arrived at their trailer in a limousine with a check for $5 million a year later. She was even more surprised and shocked when Wayne drove Wendy and Jimmy to a beautiful luxury seaside apartment he’d purchased for them for $740,000!
Wayne stated, ‘I promised John he’d get his money back.’ ‘I’m honoring my promises since a multinational recently bought my patent for more money than I’ll ever be able to spend!’
Gran Wendy’s health improved greatly in the new house, and Jimmy stopped being so anxious all of the time. Wayne, on the other hand, was a joyful man who came in all the time to play baseball and shoot hoops with Jimmy.