Mark dragged a kitchen chair out onto the balcony, sat down, and lit several cigarettes in a row. His hands were shaking with resentment, and tears welled in his eyes. How could this be happening to him? He had spent his entire life living for his children, loving them, never denying them a thing. And now, it turned out, he was just in the way. They wanted to get rid of him.
"Dad, stop smoking! And you need to stop getting worked up!" his eldest daughter, Paula, said sternly from the doorway. "You have to see it from our side, too. The kids are starting school soon, and they're all cramped in one tiny bedroom with us. If you don't feel sorry for me, at least think about your grandsons."
"No, Paula. I'm spending the rest of my days in my own house. I'm not going to any assisted living facility! If it's too crowded for you here, move in with your mother-in-law. Mrs. Higgins has that big three-bedroom place. There's plenty of room for everyone there."
"Oh, absolutely not. I couldn't last a day living with her," his daughter shouted angrily. She slammed the balcony door so hard the glass rattled in its frame.
Mark sighed sorrowfully and reached for another cigarette. He thought of his late wife, Linda, with whom he had shared so many happy years. Now he was truly alone—unwanted, forgotten, and helpless. Only Buster seemed to understand him. The aging dog sitting by his feet looked up as if reading his thoughts, gazing at his master with soulful eyes and letting out a thin, pitiful whimper.
How had his beloved Paula become so cold? Hadn't he and Linda tried to give her the very best of everything? She had grown up with every comfort, never wanting for a thing. And now, this was his thanks. He had never felt so low in his entire life. But as it turned out, he hadn't hit rock bottom yet.
A minute later, his seven-year-old grandson, Toby, peeked out onto the balcony and asked indignantly, "Grandpa, why do you hate us so much?"
"What do you mean, Toby? Who told you that?"
"Mom did! She said if you loved me and my brother, you'd give us your room. But you're being selfish! That means you're a mean old man!" the boy shouted spitefully before bolting back inside.
So that was it. Paula was already turning the grandchildren against him. He realized then that there was no other way out. Trembling with hurt, the old man stood up abruptly, walked over to Paula, and said coldly, "Fine. I'll go. I won't stand in your way anymore."
Paula didn't seem to notice the pain or the tears in her father's eyes. Hearing those words, her face lit up with a smile, and she began to chirp happily. "Oh, Daddy, thank you! You really are the best."
Back in his room, Mark looked around sadly. This was it. His lifelong home no longer belonged to him. He had become a stranger in his own house. Well, I'll manage somehow, he thought. The main thing is that they look after my Buster. Thinking of the dog, he went back to his daughter and asked quietly, "Paula, promise me you won't get rid of Buster."
"Oh, stop it, Dad! I'll feed him three times a day. I'll take him for walks myself. Don't you worry about a thing," she replied in a convincing tone, and the old man felt a small sense of relief.
***
The state-run nursing home smelled of industrial cleaner and damp mold. The windows were draped with old, faded curtains. The atmosphere wasn't homelike at all; it was heavy and bleak, like a long-term hospital ward. The food in the cafeteria was terrible. In short, it was nothing like what Paula had promised. She had told him she would find a nice private facility where he would feel like he was at a resort. Instead, he sat in a dark, uncomfortable room alongside other displaced souls.
Heading down to the courtyard, Mark sat on a bench and fell into deep thought. There were so many helpless seniors around him, and it seemed no one cared. In a few years, he would be even more frail, and there wouldn't be a single loved one by his side.
"Good afternoon," a pleasant female voice said.
Startled from his grim reflections, Mark saw a kind-looking older lady standing before him.
"Hello. Yes, hello. Please, have a seat," he murmured.
"Why the long face? You must be new here. Don't worry, I was a wreck when I first arrived, too, but then I just... adjusted. I'm Irene."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Mark. I'm just sitting here wondering how my own daughter could do this to me."
"My nephew was the one who tricked me," the woman shared. "I never had children of my own, so I loved him like a son. I doted on him. I eventually signed my house over to him because he promised to look after me. Instead, I ended up here. He didn't have an ounce of pity for his old aunt. I suppose I should be grateful he didn't just throw me out on the street."
The heartfelt conversation between the two abandoned seniors lasted until evening. They talked about their heartaches, then reminisced about their younger days, and the weight on their hearts began to lift. The next day, they went for a walk together, talking and talking... Neither of them wanted to return to their cramped, stuffy rooms.
***
Day after day passed, but Paula never visited. At first, Mark hoped his daughter would come to her senses, feel guilty, and take him home. But alas, she couldn't even find the time to drop by, tell him about the boys, or bring a few treats. Whenever he tried to call, the answer was always the same: "I'm busy, let's talk later."
One day, Mark walked out to the edge of the property and unexpectedly bumped into his former neighbor, Greg.
"Mr. Harrison? So this is where you are?" the man asked in surprise.
"Hello, Greg. Yeah... that's just how life goes sometimes," Mark replied sadly. "How's my Paula? Do you see her often? Is she taking Buster for his walks like she said?"
Greg looked down and went silent.
"What is it? What's happened to Buster? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"They kicked the poor dog out, Mark. He lived in the alley behind the house for a while. The neighbors all took turns feeding him. Eventually, animal control took him to the shelter," Greg answered grimly. "Paula told everyone you'd moved to a retirement community in the country and couldn't take him with you. And she's planning to sell the house. She wants to move in with her husband's parents permanently. That's the word, anyway."
Hearing the news, the old man clutched at his chest. A panicked Greg helped him to a nearby bench, sat him down, and tried to calm him.
"It's okay, Greg. Don't worry. I'm glad I know the truth now. You're an attorney, right? You do property law?"
"I am. I handle estates and real estate disputes."
"Then help me get my home back! Tell me you can do it, son," the old man asked hopefully.
"I'll try my best. I think we can sort this out. Have you officially changed your permanent residence or signed away your rights yet?"
"No, I haven't gotten around to it. But who knows if Paula did something behind my back?"
"Alright, Mr. Harrison, we haven't a moment to lose. My car is right there. Come on," Greg helped the shaken man up and began leading him toward the vehicle.
"Wait a second, son. I just need to get my things."
Returning to the facility, the old man packed his clothes into a bag and went to find Irene.
"Irene, I'm leaving. I can't stay here another minute. My daughter kicked my dog out and she's trying to sell my house. I have to stop her. Don't you worry, though. I've got a lawyer helping me. As soon as I'm settled, I'm coming back for you."
"Why would you want me?" the poor woman cried.
"I'm coming back for you, I promise. Just wait for me. I have to run, the car is waiting. I'm sorry."
***
Mark couldn't get back into his house immediately. He had to stay with Greg for a few days. It turned out Paula had already moved in with her mother-in-law, and since a buyer hadn't been found yet, she was planning to rent the place out. But the law was on Mark's side. The kind-hearted lawyer had no trouble re-establishing Mark's rights to his own property.
"Thank you, Greg, for getting me out of that horrible place. I just don't know what's next. Paula isn't going to leave me in peace. Do you have any advice?"
"Would you consider moving out to the countryside? You could sell the house, buy a nice little cottage, and have plenty of money left over to give Paula her share. I can handle the sale for you so you don't get cheated."
"That's a wonderful idea!"
***
A few months later, a rejuvenated Mark was moving into his new cottage. Greg helped him with everything, even going to the shelter to retrieve Buster and driving them both to the new house. On the way, they pulled into the driveway of the nursing home. Irene was sitting alone in the courtyard. Hearing a car pull up, she didn't even turn around; people came and went all the time.
"Irene! Irene! It's me. I told you I'd be back. And this is Buster, my old pal. Look at him, isn't he something? I think you two are going to be great friends."
The woman was stunned, her voice trembling. "But... where are we going?"
"To the country, for some fresh air. We'll sit in the garden and go picking berries. Maybe even some fishing. Come on now, get your things packed!"
Hardly believing her luck, the old lady began to cry and rushed inside to get her bags. A beaming Mark watched her go while Buster barked happily. Finally, the trouble was behind them. It was important never to lose hope. After all, there really are more good people in the world than bad ones.
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