Debbie, living in a quiet neighborhood, becomes close to her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, and begins to care for her. But when Deb’s mother has to undergo surgery, she has no option but to go home and care for her mother… only for her to receive a horrible phone call from Steve, Mrs. Jenkins’ son, accusing her of not doing enough.
Look, I didn’t want revenge on anybody, especially not for just being kind to an elderly neighbor.
I live in a quiet neighborhood, and my next-door neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, is an 82-year-old widow. She’s frail, lonely, and honestly, sad. It’s like she’s been forgotten by her own family. Her only son, Steve, lives just 20 minutes away but rarely visits.
Whenever I saw her on the porch, she seemed so lost, staring off into the distance. My heart went out to her, so I started helping where I could.
For over a year, I’ve been running small errands. Groceries, appointments, clearing her driveway of leaves in the fall and snow in the winter.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Debbie,” she said to me one morning after I dropped off her groceries, including some freshly baked bread for her breakfast.
“I’m here for anything you need, Marlene,” I said.
Honestly, it wasn’t much, but I felt good knowing that I was helping. Especially since her real family was so absent.
“Steve?” she said one day when I asked about him. “That kid means everything to me, but I know I don’t mean as much to my son. It’s okay. You’re here.”
She would always smile like I was her favorite person.
This man, who barely knew his mother’s daily life, had the audacity to accuse me of not doing enough.
But things took a dark turn when I had to leave town for a few weeks. I couldn’t help it, my mother was in the hospital after being diagnosed with fibroids and cysts that needed to be removed.
I had to be there with her. There was no way about it.
“I’m coming, Mom,” I said. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“But, Deb,” my mother whined. “I don’t want to disturb your routine. Dad’s here, I’ll be fine with him.”
“Mom, I work from home. I can work from anywhere,” I said sternly. “And anyway, Dad’s idea of taking care of someone is making chicken noodle soup. That’s pretty much it. You’re going for invasive surgery. You need me.”
Before I left, I stocked Mrs. Jenkins’ house with groceries, made sure that she had everything she needed, and asked our neighbor Karen to check in on her from time to time.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, Marlene,” I said. “Don’t you worry about a thing. And I’ve asked little Josh to come over and check your mail. He knows that if there’s anything in your mailbox, he has to bring it right to you.”
“Thank you, darling,” she said. “You’re too good to me.”
I thought I’d covered all my bases.
Ten days into my stay with my parents, my phone rang while I was cooking dinner. I didn’t recognize the number, but I picked up anyway.
“Debbie?” the voice snapped when I answered. “Are you the neighbor who’s supposed to be taking care of my mom?”
It was Steve. Mrs. Jenkins’ son. The man who barely showed up for his own mother.
For a second, I got nervous, hoping that nothing had happened to her.
“I just got a call from my mother,” he continued, not even stopping for me to speak. “She ran out of milk. And you’re out of town? Why didn’t you make sure she had enough before you left?”
I was absolutely floored. This man, who barely knew his mother’s daily life, had the audacity to accuse me of not doing enough.
Me?
“Steve,” I said, trying to remain calm. “I’m out of town because my mom is in the hospital. This is where I need to be. I stocked your mom up before I left. And I spoke to Karen, our neighbor, to check on her.”
Instead of apologizing or offering to help like any normal person, he shot back.
“Well, that’s just not good enough, Debbie. If you’re going to take care of my mother, then you need to do it right! I can’t be running around getting her things whenever you drop the ball.”
I almost screamed. The audacity of this man was astounding.
How could he accuse me of dropping the ball when I’d been doing everything for her? Especially while he sat back and did nothing!
I took a deep breath.
“Steve, she’s your mother. You can’t expect me to do everything for her while you’re right there, and do nothing! Maybe you should help her out for once.”
His response was just sad.
“You’re pathetic,” he said. “You don’t even do that much for her.”
Before I could retaliate, I just cut the call. I didn’t want to say anything worse, and I also didn’t want to risk it getting back to Marlene and upsetting her.
Later, as I sat with my mom in her hospital room, I couldn’t stop replaying that conversation. By the time I got home, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
“Go home, honey,” my mother said when I told her about Steve’s phone call. “I’m doing just fine, and my progress is great. The doctor is really happy with me. I told you, Dad and I will be fine!”
I really didn’t want to leave, but I missed my own home. And I missed working from my own space, too. So, I left a few days later.
When I got back, the first thing I did was check on Mrs. Jenkins. Thankfully, she was fine. It turns out that Karen had taken care of the milk situation, and Mrs. Jenkins had no idea about the chaos Steve had stirred up.
“What? Really? He said that?” she exclaimed, shocked.
Steve had to step up. He was not happy about it. Not at all.
As glad as I was that Steve hadn’t fed her any stories about me, I wasn’t going to allow him to get away with this.
The next day, I gently told Mrs. Jenkins that I wouldn’t be able to help her as much anymore.
“I have other commitments, Marlene,” I said sadly. “I have to check on my mother more often, too. She’s going to need me for the next few weeks.”
She looked disappointed, but she reassured me that she understood.
A few weeks went by, and Steve had no choice but to step up. Naturally, he wasn’t happy about it. Sometimes, as I worked from my living room, I could see him showing up to his mother’s house. He always looked irritated, like running an errand for his mother was the biggest burden anyone could have placed on him.
When I did visit Mrs. Jenkins next, she smiled and told me that she was relying on Steve more.
“I call him for everything,” she said. “Milk, teabags, and even help with the gutters.”
One afternoon, Mrs. Jenkins asked me to help her sort through some old papers. That’s when we stumbled upon her will.
Naturally, Steve was listed as the sole beneficiary.
“It’s a shame that Steve cannot spend more time with you,” I said casually. “You know, with work and whatnot.”
“I know, dear,” Mrs. Jenkins sighed. “But he’s been like that. Sometimes I think he only sticks around for what I’ll leave him.”
That was all the confirmation I needed.
“You know, Marlene,” I said. “You don’t have to leave everything to Steve. It might be nice to donate some to charity or leave something for the people who have always been there for you. That’s a sweet gesture. Think about it.”
“You’re right, Debbie,” she said. “I’ll think about it.”
A week later, Mrs. Jenkins updated her will. Steve still got his share, but she also included several charities to get vast portions of her estate. She left a little something for me, too, though I didn’t ask for it.
It wasn’t about the money. It was about showing Steve that neglect and greed have consequences.
When Steve found out, he stormed to my house, knocking furiously on my door.
“You convinced my mother to give away my inheritance? You manipulative little…”
I cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
“I didn’t convince her of anything. Maybe if you spent more time with her, you’d know what she really wanted.”
Steve spluttered, his face turning red. He shouted a few more insults and stormed off, but I could see it in his eyes.
He knew that he had lost.
Now, the lovely Mrs. Jenkins is happier than ever, and I’m taking her to the ballet later this week. Steve is sulking, likely regretting all the time he wasted.
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And as for me? I’m happy knowing that Mrs. Jenkins isn’t being taken advantage of by Steve.
Sometimes, the best revenge is just letting someone realize their own failure.
What would you have done?
HOLLYWOOD SHOCK! MERYL STREEP’S 33-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER COMES OUT AS QUEER ON HER MOM’S SPECIAL DAY
Louisa Jacobson, the daughter of famous actress Meryl Streep, has publicly come out as queer. She shared the happy news on Instagram with a photo of herself and her partner, which made fans and social media users very excited.
The 33-year-old actress, known for her role in “The Gilded Age,” posted pictures with her partner, Anna Blundell, on June 22. This date was special because it was both her mother’s birthday and during Pride Month.
In her post, Jacobson shared how happy she felt, writing, “blessed to be entering the Joyful New Era bb.” Her caption referred to a recent New York Times article called “We’re Entering a Joyful New Era of Lesbian Fashion.”
Support for Jacobson’s announcement flooded social media. Blogger Sky Maddas praised her choice of timing, saying, “COMING OUT AT YOUR MOM’S BIRTHDAY IS SO ICONIC.”
Socialite Derek Blasberg also joined in with a happy “Happy Pride.” Fans left encouraging comments like “omg so happy for you!” and “We’ll support you in every era kiddo!”
Earlier in June, Jacobson gave hints about her relationship by sharing ten photos on Instagram that showed her close bond with Blundell. One photo showed them taking a mirror selfie in an elevator, both wearing matching black outfits.
Another photo featured Blundell, wearing an “ITALIA” hat, kissing Jacobson’s cheek. Jacobson, in orange-tinted sunglasses and a grey denim jacket, looked happy.
One more photo showed them holding hands while walking down the street, both in denim and black long-sleeve outfits.
In the final photo, they stood in a living room, each holding a drink and looking towards a table outside where a child was sitting alone. Jacobson captioned the post, “Cute spring things.”
Even though Jacobson has come out publicly, she has kept her romantic life mostly private. She has shared photos with Blundell, but Blundell has only posted about their relationship once on Instagram.
On December 15, 2023, Blundell, a producer, posted a similar photo with the caption “Annual update,” showing herself looking away while Jacobson smiled at the camera under red light.
Jacobson’s new relationship is similar to her mother’s romantic life. After separating from her long-time husband, Streep was rumored to be dating one of her “Only Murders in the Building” co-stars last March after their appearance at the Golden Globes.
Before the recent rumors, Meryl Streep had been married to Don Gummer for 45 years. They got married in September 1978 after knowing each other for less than a year. They met through Streep’s brother, Harry.
Now, Streep and Gummer are separated. In 2023, a spokesperson for Streep revealed that they had been living apart for more than six years. The last time they were seen together was at the 2018 Oscars.
The spokesperson said that even though Streep and Gummer still care about each other, they have decided to live separate lives.
After their split, there have been rumors that Streep might be involved with her co-star from “Only Murders in the Building,” Martin Short. The rumors started when they were seen together at the 81st Annual Golden Globes.
At the event, Streep and Short were sitting with Selena Gomez, their co-star. All three were nominated for their roles, which added to Streep’s record as the most-nominated actor in Golden Globes history.
Fans noticed the chemistry between Streep and Short and began speculating on social media about whether they might be a couple. One fan said, “Sitting with the knowledge that Meryl Streep and Martin Short might be in love but I have no proof.”
Fans thought that if Streep and Short were dating, it would be a big deal. “If Martin Short and Meryl Streep are dating, that’s the biggest power couple going,” one fan said. Another fan added, “Martin Short and Meryl Streep — be the power couple of 2024 we all need if you aren’t already.”
Like Streep, Short was also in a long-term marriage. He married his wife, Nancy Dolman, in 1980, and they were together until she passed away in 2010.
Dolman died of natural causes after Short called 911 from their Los Angeles home. They had been married for 30 years and had three children: Oliver, Henry, and Katherine.
Reports said Dolman had been battling ovarian cancer since 2007. In 2019, Short talked about his marriage and losing his wife, calling it “a triumph.” He said he still feels connected to her and seeks her guidance on decisions, especially about their children. He believes that those who have passed away continue to have an impact on their loved ones.
Short explained, “This idea that it just ends, and don’t speak of them — that’s wrong. That’s based on denial that we’re all going to die. So to me, she’s still here.” Losing his wife also led him to embrace risk-taking.
The Canadian-born actor doesn’t believe in bucket lists, focusing instead on daily happiness. He keeps a list of categories like health and career, periodically giving himself a report card to identify areas for improvement.
Short reminisced about a childhood question: “What is the most important thing in life?” His response was simple yet profound: “To be happy.” For Short, part of that happiness comes from being helpful to the people he loves. “That’s what takes you from day to day,” he added.
Now, fans speculate whether Streep is one of the people Short loves. Rumors of a romance between them intensified after they were seen together at the 2024 AFI Luncheon.
Moreover, Streep and Short’s characters in “Only Murders in the Building” fell in love during the third season of the Hulu comedy. Fans have noted their great on-screen chemistry. “Only Murders in the Building” is a collaborative creation by Steve Martin and John Hoffman.
Hoffman shared that Streep expressed gratitude to him for crafting the romantic storyline involving her and Short’s characters in the series, noting their incredible on-screen connection. In season three, episode five, Streep and Short’s characters share a date on a ferry overlooking New York City.
Hoffman recalled Streep’s fondness for the ferry location, ranking it among her top two favorite filming sites. “It was the most magical night of shooting, and they were completely beyond wonderful together,” Hoffman remarked about the scene and the chemistry between Streep and Short.
Besides their on-screen chemistry, Streep and Short have been enjoying their time together off-screen. On February 21, 2023, the pair had dinner with friends at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California.
For their outing, Streep wore black pants with a hot pink button-down shirt and a red jacket. Short wore a gray sweater and a black blazer.
An insider shared details about their dinner. The source said, “They were really enjoying their meal and having a blast the whole time,” mentioning there was “lots of laughing” and that the group “couldn’t have been having a better time.”
Despite their close friendship, Short has denied any romantic relationship with Streep. In a January 2024 interview, Short said, “We are not a couple; we are just very good friends.”
Both Streep and her daughter Jacobson are moving on to new phases in their lives. Jacobson is in a new relationship with Blundell, and Streep is enjoying her close friendship with Short. They are both embracing these new chapters with love and support.
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