Margaret Anne spent her entire career as a teacher. She loved teaching, loved explaining complex subjects to children. She shared their joy when they grasped something new or solved difficult problems. Students came to her with academic struggles, and later, with personal troubles too.
Margaret was a kind and gentle woman, qualities that her students deeply valued. She had two daughters of her own, Emily and Sarah. The girls grew up surrounded by love and care. Life became harder after Margaret’s husband passed away, but she managed to provide for them.
Her husband had been a man of considerable means, leaving behind enough savings to buy a separate apartment for the girls, which they planned to split into two smaller ones later. For now, they rented it out to cover expenses. They got by, living modestly but comfortably, with enough for necessities.
As time passed, Emily and Sarah grew up and enrolled in university. Margaret realized retirement was approaching. Her life had been fulfilling, until her daughters suddenly announced their engagements.
Margaret had somehow missed meeting their fiancés. She didn’t even know Emily and Sarah were dating. This upset her, but she reassured herself that her daughters were living fast-paced lives in the big city. Their first introduction came over the phone when an excited Emily called.
— Hello, Mom! You won’t believe what happened! — Emily chirped. — I just got proposed to, and I said yes!
— Oh… — Margaret managed, stunned. — Sweetheart, congratulations! Such wonderful news… But who’s the lucky man? You never mentioned dating anyone.
— Oh, Mom, I’ve been so busy, you know how it is. I finally landed a job in my field. No more troubles, everything’s falling into place! And my fiancé, he’s such a charming guy, — Emily giggled, likely with him nearby. — His name’s Peter, and he works at the same place I just started. We got caught up in a whirlwind romance, and I forgot to tell you about him.
— Well, young love, — Margaret smiled. — Can I at least meet him before the wedding?
— Of course you can! — Emily laughed. — You know how to turn on video chat, right?
Margaret knew how. But she’d meant an in-person meeting. Still, maybe this was how young people did things now? She’d always connected with children; no need to be shocked by new trends. She switched on the camera and peered at the screen. Next to her daughter stood a man, not strikingly handsome but not unattractive either. Average, really. He smiled, his arm around Emily’s shoulders.
— Hello, Mrs. Margaret! I’m Peter, the guy your daughter just made the happiest man alive! — he announced cheerfully.
— Well, this introduction is a bit unconventional, but I’m thrilled for you both! — Margaret smiled. — Wishing you nothing but happiness!
— Thank you! — Emily and Peter replied in unison.
A couple of months later, Sarah dropped the same bombshell: she was getting married, also without any prior hint. What could Margaret do?
She congratulated her daughters and began helping them plan their weddings. Naturally, the gift had to be significant. Their fiancés, likely not yet homeowners by their thirties, would need a place to live. Margaret knew it was time to sell the apartment her husband had bought. She’d been renting it out, accumulating a decent sum over the years. Margaret decided to consult a realtor.
One morning, she leisurely sipped her coffee, got dressed, and went to buy a newspaper with listings. She preferred this old-fashioned, romantic way of finding a realtor. Younger agents might try to deceive her, but those advertising in print were likely over thirty.
Margaret bought the paper and returned home, picking up fresh pastries on the way. Settling into her favorite armchair, she browsed the ads. Some were too aggressive, promising to sell any property for top dollar; others were too timid, suggesting multiple meetings and phased consultations. Finally, she found a promising candidate. She dialed the number at the bottom of the ad.
— Hello! This is Andrew. How can I assist you? — a cheerful, energetic voice answered.
— Hello. My name is Margaret, and I’d like to discuss an apartment.
— You’ve called the right person, Margaret. Would you prefer an in-person meeting, or shall we talk over the phone?
Margaret was pleased with her choice. This man clearly meant business.
— I think an in-person meeting would be best, — she replied.
— I like your approach! — Andrew chuckled. — Let’s settle on a time and place. By the way, the visit and initial consultation are completely free.
Margaret was pleasantly surprised by this perk. She gave him the apartment’s address and suggested meeting the next day. Andrew agreed. The apartment had been vacant for a couple of weeks since the last tenants moved out, so there’d be no issues with viewing it.
Andrew turned out to be a well-groomed man, dressed understatedly but tastefully. His demeanor exuded responsibility and honesty.
— Hello, Margaret! A pleasure to meet you in person, — he smiled.
— Hello, Andrew. Likewise, — she smiled back. — Shall we head inside?
— Yes, yes. By the way, what’s the deal with this place? Are you looking to sell, rent, or exchange? — he asked as Margaret unlocked the door.
— That’s where I’m unsure, — she sighed. — You see, I have two daughters, and they’ve both unexpectedly decided to get married. My late husband bought this apartment for them. We planned to exchange it for two smaller ones so they could live independently. We’ve been renting it out, so there’s some extra money saved. But I’m not sure if, in today’s market, we can swap one apartment for two…
— Well, first, congratulations! Two daughters getting married is wonderful, — Andrew smiled. — But honestly, you’re right. Exchanging one apartment for two is tricky. It’s more common to trade for a smaller place with a cash supplement or vice versa. Swapping one for two… I’d need to think about it. Can I take a look around?
— Of course, — Margaret gestured invitingly.
Andrew inspected the rooms, checked the plumbing and wiring, jotted notes in his pad, then typed something on his phone for a few minutes. After getting a reply, he pocketed the device and turned to Margaret.
— Alright, Margaret. I have a few suggestions. Unfortunately, exchanging for two apartments isn’t feasible. At least, not with our database, and we have the largest in the city. Selling is the better option. We already have buyers we can show it to. How urgent is the sale?
— Oh… I didn’t expect things to move so quickly, — Margaret admitted, a bit flustered. — The girls are planning a joint wedding in six months.
— Six months isn’t that long, — Andrew shook his head. — Some properties sit for years. But this apartment’s in great shape. A deep clean, and it’s ready to sell. By the way, we have a partner cleaning agency. I can give you their card, and they’ll offer a discount if you sign with me.
Margaret’s head spun from the flood of information. How did people keep up in this fast-paced world?
— Alright, let’s sell it. And I’ll use your cleaning service, — she said hesitantly.
— Excellent! — Andrew beamed, clapping his hands. — We’ll get started. You can leave me a spare key after signing the contract, so you won’t need to attend every showing. But that’s optional.
— I’m a free woman, — Margaret smiled. — Almost retired. I can be there for the showings.
— Even better, — Andrew nodded. — You never know, some dishonest folks might take a spoon, and it turns out to be a family heirloom. Had a case like that when I was younger. The buyer’s kid took it to play with and forgot to return it. Can you imagine?
— Oh my, — Margaret chuckled.
She felt at ease. They discussed the sale price, and Andrew suggested listing it slightly higher to allow for negotiation. Margaret appreciated his efficiency and entrusted the process to him.
Months later, the apartment attracted serious buyers, and a deal was imminent. But there was bad news. Margaret had to switch to online teaching, which she loathed. Computers frustrated her; something always went wrong. Though she was fairly tech-savvy and used social media, mastering video lesson platforms and presentations was beyond her. For such employees, management had one solution: retirement. Margaret wasn’t too upset. She’d planned to retire soon anyway. It was a shame not to finish with her graduating class, but they were bright kids and could reach out to her directly with questions.
So, Margaret bid farewell to her students and retired. Meanwhile, the apartment sold, the deal closed, and the money landed in her account. Everything was going perfectly.
— Well, Margaret, congratulations on a big milestone! — Andrew smiled, shaking her hand. — Great deal.
— You did an excellent job, — Margaret smiled back. — Now, on to the second part of the plan?
— Second part? — Andrew looked genuinely confused.
— What do you mean? Buying two apartments for my daughters… — Margaret faltered.
— Oh, you want me to handle that too? — Andrew chuckled. — A slight misunderstanding. I thought you had something lined up. No problem, we’ll search our database and find something.
— Please don’t scare an old lady like that, — Margaret exhaled.
— Old? You? — Andrew laughed. — Don’t worry, it’s all under control.
But Andrew didn’t call for a couple of days. Margaret figured finding two apartments with specific criteria was harder than selling one with a good deal, so she wasn’t too concerned.
Finally, nearly a week later, Andrew called. His voice lacked its usual cheer.
— Margaret, I’m afraid I have some bad news, — he began.
— What’s wrong? — She sat down, heart racing.
— We can find apartments, but the larger ones are in terrible condition, and small studios aren’t ideal for newlyweds.
— Oh no… What do we do? — Margaret was at a loss.
— Don’t panic, — Andrew said firmly. — There are decent two-bedroom places, but they’re a bit pricier than what we have.
— What about the rental savings? — Margaret asked, clutching her chest.
— That’s including the rental savings, — Andrew repeated. Margaret gasped.
Those were substantial funds.
— What now? I don’t know where to get more money… I so wanted to give my girls this gift… — she stammered.
— No rush, Margaret. Think it over. Maybe studios will do? — Andrew suggested.
— No, that won’t work, — Margaret said firmly, rubbing her aching temple.
— Those are our options, I’m afraid, — Andrew sighed.
— I see… Thank you. I’ll figure out where to find the money. If I can’t, we’ll have time to buy them studios, right? — she asked, defeated.
— Plenty of time, — Andrew assured her.
— Alright, thank you. I’ll call you.
Margaret hung up. How had it come to this? Everything had been going so smoothly! Apparently, Andrew hadn’t realized he was supposed to buy apartments too, so he miscalculated or didn’t check options upfront. How could she, a teacher who explained everything meticulously, miss this? Her mood plummeted. Gifting her daughters studios would be laughable. People would say she failed to provide for them. And a studio for newlyweds? What about kids or guests? They wouldn’t just sit reading books! Young couples needed space, and now there was no money for it. But Margaret had one idea. What wouldn’t she do for her beloved daughters? She’d planned a surprise, but that wasn’t happening now.
She called her daughters and asked them to visit for an important talk. They were busy and reluctantly agreed. Margaret didn’t love their attitude, but weddings were stressful, so she understood.
— Mom, what’s the deal in the 21st century? I hope this ‘important talk’ is worth my wedding dress, — Sarah complained the moment she walked in.
— What’s wrong with your dress? — Margaret asked, surprised.
— I’m still picking it out.
— You’ve been at it for weeks…
— And I haven’t found anything perfect! — Sarah sighed. — Can’t take Mark with me, you know, bad luck.
— Since when do you believe in superstitions? — Margaret smirked.
— You start believing when you’re planning a wedding. Sorry, Mom, I’m just exhausted. I don’t even know if I’m happy anymore, — Sarah admitted.
— Exactly! — Emily chimed in. — Total stress. At first, it’s all magical, then the reality hits—ugh!
— Girls, no need to be so down, — their mother smiled. — I have better news than wedding planning woes.
— Like what? — Emily asked.
— I want to discuss your gift from me, — Margaret sighed. — I wanted it to be a surprise, but things didn’t go as planned. I’m sorry, girls.
— Mom, it’s fine, — Emily patted her shoulder. — We’ve already sorted gifts with Peter’s parents. They’re giving us a car, can you believe it?
— That’s amazing! — Margaret beamed.
— Yeah, and Mark’s parents are gifting us a honeymoon in Hawaii, — Sarah bragged. — Mark already has a car.
— That’s wonderful, girls, — Margaret smiled.
— Too bad no one thought to chip in for a house, — Sarah muttered.
— Actually, you’re wrong there, — Margaret said with a sly grin. — That’s what I wanted to talk about. You don’t have your own places, right? Your dad left you that apartment, remember? Well, I sold it.
— Why?! — Emily’s eyes widened.
— To buy you each an apartment, — Margaret shrugged.
— What?! — the girls gasped in unison.
— But something went wrong… — If only Margaret had double-checked everything, she’d have felt such pride!
But she’d made a mistake. Now she had to recount the whole story to her daughters.
— Oh no… That’s awful, — Emily clucked her tongue after hearing it.
— How did this happen? — Sarah echoed sadly.
— Don’t give up yet, girls. I’ve been thinking. You’re young, you belong in the city. I could move to the countryside. Houses there aren’t too expensive. I’m considering selling my apartment. That should cover your places and leave enough for a small house for me.
— Mom, that would be incredible! — Emily said dreamily.
— But are you sure? Moving’s tough, and at your age… — Sarah added skeptically.
— My age is perfect for a country life, — Margaret smiled. — I’ll relax, garden, grow my own vegetables. I always wanted to retire to a village.
— If you’re certain, we’ll help with the move and anything else you need, — Sarah said, hugging her. — I love you so much…
— I love you too, Mom, — Emily hugged her from the other side.
It was settled. Margaret contacted Andrew again, asking him to sell her apartment and use the proceeds to cover the shortfall for her daughters’ apartments. She needed a specific amount left for her own house.
— Got it, Margaret! — Andrew replied with his usual enthusiasm. — You’ll have two weeks to move after the sale. Will that work?
— Yes, I’ll manage, — she said confidently.
— I can’t help with finding a house outside the city, though. I only work locally, — Andrew warned.
— I’ll find a house myself and let you know how much I need, — Margaret said, determined to be thorough this time.
— Sounds good. Best of luck! I’ll start looking for a buyer, — Andrew said before hanging up.
Margaret approached her dreaded laptop. She was decent at searching online. After a couple of days, she found a house in a village 85 miles from the city. It was old but sturdy. An outdoor toilet in winter was daunting, but what wouldn’t she do for her daughters? She called Andrew, specifying the amount she needed to keep after buying the apartments. He assured her he could work within that budget. They timed the sale for a week and a half before the weddings, giving enough time to buy the girls’ gifts and move without rushing.
Margaret packed her essentials, waiting only for the remaining funds to buy her house. But, of course, things went wrong. On the wedding day, the rental of a large limousine fell through. The girls had their hearts set on it.
— Mom, there’s no car! How will we get around? — Sarah nearly cried.
— We’ll walk or take a bus. From our wedding! — Emily’s tears were held back only by her expensive makeup.
— Mom, please help! You still have money from the apartment sale, right? — Sarah asked hopefully.
— Sweetie, I’d love to, but that’s for my country house and the move, — Margaret said, surprised.
— We’ll help with the move! We’ll drive everything! Plus, we’ll get cash gifts at the wedding—not everyone brings toasters, — Emily pleaded. — We can’t rent another limousine! There won’t be another wedding!
— Alright, — Margaret sighed.
Her daughters’ joyful squeals nearly deafened her.
The wedding was splendid, aside from the limousine hiccup. Guests were delighted, the newlyweds were thrilled, and Margaret was happy for her girls. Right after, Sarah and Mark jetted off to Hawaii, their honeymoon starting the next day. Margaret called Emily the following day about the house. She had three days left to move out.
— Mom… It’s my first day as a wife. You still have time. We’re exhausted from the wedding and haven’t even opened the gifts, — Emily said sleepily. — Can we deal with this tomorrow or the day after?
— Fine, but no later! Lena, this is serious. You wouldn’t leave your mother on the street, — Margaret said, worried.
— Mom, don’t be ridiculous! Alright, talk tomorrow, — Emily grumbled.
But the next day was silent. Only the day after did Emily call, when Margaret was genuinely panicked. The buyers were already asking if the former owner had moved out.
— Emily, finally! — Margaret exhaled.
— Mom… I don’t even know how to say this… — Emily sighed, her voice heavy with worry.
— What? — Margaret froze.
— The gifts, from both my wedding and Sarah’s… They only add up to half of what you need.
— How? — Margaret stopped breathing. — Only half? I can’t buy anything with that! And I have to move tomorrow!
— Mom, don’t worry. We’ll find something… Worst case, we’ll book you a hotel for a bit…
— A hotel? And then what? Money will magically appear? No, Emily, no hotels, — Margaret’s head throbbed as she scrambled for a solution. — I have to move tomorrow… I’ll have to stay with you girls until I save up for a house from my pension.
— Uh, Mom… Where would you stay? — Margaret thought she misheard.
— What do you mean, where? I bought you an apartment!
— You saw how tiny it is. Half your stuff won’t fit, and we still need to move in Peter’s things.
— Are you seriously suggesting I live on the street? Be homeless? Me, your mother? — Tears streamed down her face.
She hadn’t expected such ingratitude.
— Mom, of course not… It’s just, you wouldn’t be comfortable here. We’re young, like you said, we have our own lives. And we’re already planning a baby… — Emily tried to dodge.
— I see, — Margaret said coldly. — Thank you, sweetheart.
She hung up. Rage and hurt overwhelmed her, and she wailed, consumed by emotion. How could her own daughters treat her like this?
After crying for hours and feeling utterly drained, Margaret calmed herself with green tea. She tried calling Sarah, but Sarah didn’t answer. Margaret left a message, hoping she’d check her phone, and went to bed. Her last night in the apartment.
Morning brought no reply from Sarah. The buyers demanded she move out, and they were right—they weren’t obligated to let her stay. With no options, Margaret, still crying, packed essentials into her old station wagon and drove to the city outskirts. This was her home now. The car wasn’t ideal for a 60-year-old woman, but what choice did she have? She lived like this for two weeks. Sarah never responded. Her phone died, and she didn’t know where to charge it. Her pension went to gas and meager meals.
Each day, Margaret thought she couldn’t go on, but she woke up the next morning.
One day, she fell ill and went to a pharmacy. It was a chilly autumn, and living in a car with the heater used sparingly took its toll.
— Hello, — she croaked, leaning toward the pharmacy window. — Something for fever and cough, please. I’m a bit sick. Something affordable.
— Mrs. Margaret? — the young pharmacist said, shocked.
Margaret squinted at her.
— Diana? Little Diana from class B! — Margaret laughed. — Wow, you’re already done with medical school?
— No, I’m only in my fourth year, — Diana smiled. — But I can work here part-time.
— You’re doing so well! Your parents must be so proud, — Margaret said, her voice breaking as she thought of her daughters, who’d discarded her so easily.
— Mrs. Margaret, what’s wrong? You look so upset, — Diana said, concerned.
— I’ve got reasons to be, — Margaret scoffed.
She briefly recounted her story. Things couldn’t get worse.
— You’re living in your old car? — Diana gasped. — How could this happen?
— That’s how it is. They have their lives, and I’m no longer part of them, — Margaret said bitterly.
— And that realtor totally scammed you! — Diana exclaimed.
— I see that now. He played me so smoothly, — Margaret said, even sadder.
— This won’t do, — Diana said firmly. — Come to the back room, lie down. I’ll get you the right pills. Rest here. I’ve got lunch in the fridge—Mom always packs too much—so help yourself. I’m going to handle this.
— Diana, I can’t… What if someone sees? — Margaret protested.
— So what? My dad owns this pharmacy chain, — Diana shrugged. — Come on.
— Thank you… — Tears welled up in Margaret’s eyes.
She followed Diana and lay on a soft couch. Diana quickly handed her pills, poured hot tea, and brought cookies. Margaret accepted it all gratefully. She felt warm and safe. She didn’t notice herself drifting off. Sleeping in warmth and comfort was far better than the car.
— Mrs. Margaret… — a soft voice broke through. — Mrs. Margaret…
— Huh? What? — She opened her eyes.
— It’s evening. My shift’s over, — Diana smiled.
Margaret sat up, rubbing her eyes.
— Oh, thank you, Diana. I slept so well!
— On a couch? Not really, — Diana teased. — You need a proper bed.
— I wouldn’t say no, — Margaret chuckled. — But I don’t have one.
— That’s where you’re wrong, — Diana said. — Dad! Mrs. Margaret’s awake!
Before Margaret could process, a distinguished man in a white coat entered. She recognized him—Diana’s father, Steven Charles. He attended every parent-teacher meeting.
— Hello, Mrs. Margaret, — he smiled.
— Oh, I’m so sorry for being here… — she began, but Steven shook his head.
— Diana told me everything. You don’t deserve this, but it’s not by chance. I’ve always wanted to thank you. You turned our wild Diana into such a wonderful girl! — He grinned at his smirking daughter. — Now’s my chance. I wasn’t sure where you wanted a house, but I hope this one suits you.
He handed Margaret keys and a stack of papers, including a deed. Her eyes widened, unable to believe it. But the documents and keys were real.
— I can’t… — she started, but Steven cut her off.
— You can, and you will. I insist. Otherwise, I’ll feel like the worst person alive. Can’t I help someone?
Margaret burst into tears, thanking Steven and Diana profusely. They helped her move the next day. The gifted house was far better than the one she’d planned to buy. It wasn’t a remote village but a suburban neighborhood with indoor amenities and a small sauna outside. There was a lovely garden and a plot for vegetables.
Margaret was grateful for the house for the rest of her life. As for her daughters, when they learned about her new home, they tried to reconcile. A suburban plot would be perfect for summer barbecues and sauna visits! But this time, Margaret was firm.
— You know, girls, you were right. You’re young, I’m old. You’d find me inconvenient. You’re planning kids, and I need my sleep and early mornings. So, go enjoy your resorts, and please, don’t bother me anymore. I’ve willed this plot to Diana.
— Who’s Diana?! — Emily exclaimed.
— The one who was there for me in my darkest hour, closer than my own daughters, — Margaret replied, ending the call.
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