- 17 hours ago
The Landlady Who Raised an Aviation Genius - Hot
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00:00The day after my sister, Nicole, ran off, her son, Mark, showed up at my door.
00:05Mark looked up at me cautiously, his little face stiff and serious.
00:09My mom doesn't want me anymore.
00:11Can you give me something to eat?
00:15I tossed him half a leftover pizza from the night before.
00:19Eat it, then take the trash downstairs.
00:22Nobody lives here for free.
00:24Your mom owes me a hundred grand.
00:26You'll work it off.
00:26He devoured the pizza in seconds, then actually carried the trash bag downstairs.
00:31Twelve years later, Nicole showed up dripping in jewelry.
00:34She was trying to take back Mark, the genius kid who'd just gotten into a top aviation program.
00:39Mark, now six foot one, stepped in front of me with a cold looking at me.
00:43Ma'am, you're blocking my way.
00:46I'm trying to buy my mom a burrito.
00:49After taking out the trash, Mark came right back to my door.
00:52He was only six, tiny and skinny, all bones with barely any flesh on him.
00:57He just stared straight at me with those dark, serious eyes.
01:01He looked nothing like his mother, Nicole.
01:03What, still hungry?
01:05He shook his head.
01:06His voice came out rough and dry.
01:09If I work, will you feed me?
01:11I let out a cold laugh.
01:13His mom, Nicole.
01:14Nicole was always a damn mess.
01:16She got pregnant before she even finished high school and had a kid.
01:19She went through five different boyfriends, then ran off in the middle of the night with
01:23some shady, used car guy.
01:25Before she left, she borrowed a hundred grand from me and never paid back a cent.
01:29All she dumped on me was this skinny little kid.
01:31That was five years of my saving.
01:33The whole block was watching, probably taking bets on when I'd toss the kid out and let him
01:38end up on the street.
01:39Just thinking about it pissed me off.
01:40What exactly can you do?
01:42Unclog drains?
01:43Chase down rent from the boxer upstairs?
01:47Mark pressed his lips together and turned away.
01:49I figured he got the message and left.
01:51But ten minutes later, I saw him down in the courtyard.
01:54He was squatting in some nasty corner, knee-deep in grease and dirty water, sorting the trash
01:59my tenants had dumped into neat piles by the wall.
02:02His fingers were filthy, and the back of his hand had a fresh cut from one of the boxes.
02:07This kid had Nicole's stubborn streak.
02:09Same hard-headed attitude and all.
02:11I walked over, pulled a hundred bucks out of my pocket, and tossed it at his feet.
02:18That's for today.
02:19Eat, then get your ass back to the fourth floor and sleep.
02:22Tomorrow, seven sharp, you're sweeping down here.
02:24Mark's eyes lit up.
02:25He grabbed the money, then took off toward the corner store.
02:28The next morning at seven, Mark was already down there with a broom taller than him, sweeping
02:31like crazy.
02:32Nicole used to hang around down in the yard, chatting up anybody who'd listen.
02:36She was always showing off some new outfit or bag, then throwing in a snarky comment about
02:40how I dress.
02:41So what if Helen's got money?
02:42A woman still needs a man with money.
02:45Look at my baby.
02:46He just had to buy me a gold necklace last night.
02:50My response was to shut off her power.
02:53So your baby's got money for gold, but he can't cover your rent?
02:57You've got tomorrow.
03:00If that money's not in my hand, I don't care if you're my own sister.
03:04Toss your ass out.
03:07Nicole went crazy, standing in the hallway, screaming that I was a cheap whore, and now
03:11her son was out there sweeping my courtyard to pay off her debt.
03:15A debt's a debt.
03:16She owes, he pays.
03:17I had to admit, it felt damn good.
03:19I went downstairs, walked up to Mark, and yanked the broom out of his hand.
03:25That's enough.
03:26Go change into something clean and come with me.
03:28Mark took half a step back, looking wary.
03:31Where?
03:31I didn't bother explaining.
03:33I grabbed him by his collar and took him to the kids' section at the mall nearby.
03:36Then I picked out two black tracksuits that wouldn't show dirt, shoved them into his arms.
03:40Here.
03:41These are your work clothes.
03:43Mark held the clothes tight and stared down at the price tags.
03:46His voice came out stiff.
03:48I'll work and pay you back.
03:50Hell yeah.
03:51You think I'm doing this for free?
03:52I rolled my eyes.
03:53Then I took him to Martin Luther King Elementary down the block.
03:56I walked straight into the principal's office.
04:01Lewis, I need this kid in school.
04:03Work something out?
04:06Lewis pushed up his glasses, looked at me, then at Mark.
04:09Helen, where the hell did this kid come from?
04:10We don't even have all his paperwork.
04:12My sister Nicole dumped him on me.
04:14Just let him start here for now.
04:15I'll deal with the district office later.
04:17The kid can't even read yet.
04:19How's he supposed to help me keep the books and collect rent?
04:21Lewis let out a sigh and dug up some old school books for Mark.
04:24I looked down at him and made it real clear.
04:26Listen, I'm paying to keep you in school.
04:30If you don't place in the top three in your class, that hundred grand your mother owes me doubles interest
04:35and awe.
04:36Mark hugged the books tight.
04:38If I come in first, how much does that knock off?
04:42I raised a brow.
04:44You come in first, you get three meals a day.
04:48Mark nodded hard.
04:50Deal.
04:51And I'll give him this.
04:52The kid really was smart.
04:54By the end of the first term, he really did place first in the whole grade.
04:57And that still wasn't all.
04:59He was damn good with repairs, too.
05:01Anything that broke in the building, Mark handled it.
05:03Light bulbs, busted locks, backed up toilets, all of it.
05:07Before long, people around the building started talking.
05:10Helen, you're really letting that little brat stay?
05:13Nicole was a slut.
05:14What do you think her kid's going to grow up to be?
05:16Keep him around, and one day he'll screw you over and take this whole building.
05:21Before I could even say anything, a rag flew over and smacked Marcus in the face.
05:26Marcus yelped.
05:28Mark came around the stairwell carrying a bucket, his face cold as ice.
05:32Your rent's been late for a week.
05:34Helen said it's 20 bucks extra for every day past due.
05:37You owe 140.
05:40Pay that first, then worry about who's stealing this building.
05:43Marcus lost it and started forward like he was going to swing.
05:45Try it. Lay one hand on him.
05:48Marcus was still mouthing off, but he pulled out his wallet and counted out the money anyway.
05:52Mark watched Marcus stomp off, then turned to me.
05:56Helen, do I get half the late fee?
05:59I smacked the back of his head.
06:01In your dreams.
06:02Now get upstairs and change the light bulb on the second floor landing.
06:05He didn't even get mad, just picked up his bucket and headed upstairs.
06:09I watched him go upstairs and caught myself smiling.
06:12Nicole was an idiot for throwing away a kid like that.
06:18One night when Mark was 12, I was downstairs in the courtyard checking the water and the
06:23holiday.
06:23The gate flew open with one hard kick.
06:27Three guys with tattoos all down their arms stormed in.
06:33The one in front was carrying a baseball bat.
06:36He walked straight to the big glass fish tank in the middle of the courtyard and smashed it.
06:41Glass exploded everywhere.
06:43Water rushed across the concrete.
06:45How goes that bitch Nicole living?
06:47Get her ass out here!
06:49Mark had been sitting in the yard doing homework.
06:51The second he heard the crash, he shot to his feet.
06:53Every muscle in his body locked tight.
06:56I yanked him behind me and grabbed the metal pipe by the wall.
06:59What the hell do you want?
07:02You collecting debts on my property now?
07:09So you're the landlord, Nicole's sister.
07:12The gigili she was keeping owes our boss 500 grand.
07:15Now both of them are gone.
07:17We heard her kid's still here.
07:20His mother's debt is his debt now.
07:22Yeah, the guy was a boy toy, but Nicole was the one paying for him.
07:28Hand the kid over.
07:29We'll take him to settle the debt.
07:31Or today, we tear this whole building apart!
07:35Who the hell do you think you are?
07:37Coming onto my turf and demanding I hand him over?
07:40If his mother owes you money, then go find his mother.
07:44Cut the crap!
07:45Don't stick your nose in this!
07:46Before Nicole ran, she told our boss herself!
07:50What did she say?
07:54She said she was tapped out, and she had left the kid here.
07:57If we had the balls, we could come to her sister and take them.
08:00She already sold the kid off to our...
08:03She already sold the kid off to our boss.
08:05Mark went rigid behind me.
08:06He started breathing hard, his hands fisted in the back of my jacket.
08:10I smacked his hand.
08:12Hey, easy!
08:13You're wrinkling my coat!
08:15This is custom made!
08:17He froze.
08:18Then his grip loosened.
08:20So Nicole says she can sell him to you, and that makes it real?
08:24Let me make something very clear.
08:27This kid owes me a full hundred grand.
08:30He signed 12 years of his life over to work it off.
08:34He belongs to me now.
08:36He's my number one worker in this building.
08:42Who the hell do you think you are coming here for my kid?
08:45He raised the bat and charged straight at me.
08:47I dodged the swing.
08:49Then I whipped the pipe across his leg.
08:51It cracked hard against his shin.
08:53He screamed and dropped to his knees.
08:55I didn't survive on this street by playing nice.
08:57The other two came at me cursing.
08:59Then a dark blur shot past my shoulder.
09:02Mark.
09:02He had a screwdriver in his hand.
09:04And he slammed it straight into one guy's nose.
09:07The man staggered back, both hands flying to his face.
09:10Blood poured through his fingers.
09:11I shouted,
09:12Call 911!
09:14But Mark didn't reach for a phone.
09:16He ran straight for the breaker box in the corner of the yard and yanked a switch.
09:20Then the whole yard exploded with a shrieking alarm.
09:23Mark had just upgraded my security system a few days ago.
09:27The second it went off, windows started flying open all over the building.
09:31Neighbors leaned out and looked down.
09:33What the hell's going on?
09:35Who's messing with Helen?
09:36You got a death wish?
09:38Marcus from the third floor came running out with his boxing gloves on.
09:42The other tenants started grabbing whatever they could and rushing downstairs too.
09:46The three loan sharks saw the numbers, knew they were screwed, and bailed.
09:50They threw out a couple of threats, then stumbled over themselves getting out of the courtyard.
09:54I shut off the alarm and looked back at Mark.
09:58He was still standing there, breathing hard.
10:01The screwdriver in his hand was still dripping with that guy's blood.
10:05I walked over, peeled his fingers off it, took it away, and tossed it aside.
10:14Well, look at you.
10:15You've got some nerve now, huh?
10:17Using a weapon already?
10:20Mark looked up at me, his eyes full of too much all at once.
10:25She really sold me.
10:27His voice was shaking.
10:29One look at him, and most of my anger was gone.
10:32Back then, Nicole had taken off with that guy in a panic.
10:35It was rushed.
10:36Sloppy.
10:37Those guys were no joke.
10:38If she'd taken Mark with her, he probably would have gotten the hell beaten out of him by now.
10:42So she dumped him here instead.
10:43Left him alone in that room.
10:45Then made sure people knew the kid was under my roof.
10:47She was betting I'd soften up.
10:49Betting I wouldn't leave my sister's only son to die.
10:51I cursed under my breath.
10:53Idiot.
10:55She didn't sell you to them.
10:57She pawned you off on me.
11:00Remember this.
11:01The debt you owe me, you'll never pay me back for me this.
11:04And if anybody lays a hand on you, they go through me first.
11:08Mark's eyes went red.
11:10Then he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around my waist, and buried his face in my coat.
11:14I shoved him twice.
11:15He still wouldn't let go.
11:17So I sighed.
11:20If you get this dirty, you're washing it by hand.
11:24Dry cleaning costs money.
11:26Don't push me away.
11:27I'll wash your clothes for the rest of my life.
11:30Six years flew by.
11:32That skinny little kid grew into a tall, sharp-faced boy.
11:35In his school uniform, walking down the block, he had women turning their heads left and right.
11:41Too bad his attitude only got worse.
11:43At the start of the month, Mary from the first floor tried to stall on rent again.
11:47Mark slapped the rent ledger down on the table.
11:50Mary, your electric bill went up last month.
11:53And your store's been ordering more stock.
11:55That means you made 15% more than the month before.
11:58Your son got the newest iPhone yesterday.
12:03So spare me the business's bad excuse.
12:05The numbers don't lie.
12:07Mary just stood there, stunned.
12:09She looked embarrassed as hell.
12:10In the end, she paid up.
12:11Mark took the money and checked it off in the ledger.
12:13I peeled off my face mask and looked at him.
12:16Look at you.
12:17You're getting more and more like me.
12:19So, what's for dinner tonight?
12:21Mark threw on an apron like he always did.
12:23Over the past six years, his talent for math and science had fully kicked in.
12:27He kept winning prize money from science competitions, too.
12:29All that prize money had become a pretty solid side income for us.
12:33And the first thing he did with his winnings?
12:34He bought me a better massage chair.
12:36At school, the teachers treated him like a golden child.
12:38One of them even came to our house to hint that I, as his mother,
12:42should stop making a genius kid do so much housework.
12:44Mark's in 10th grade now.
12:46This is a critical year.
12:48I heard he's still cleaning and fixing things for this whole building every day.
12:52I hadn't even had the chance to explain.
12:54Miss Carter, physical labor boosts dopamine and helps with mental fatigue.
12:59And honestly, rewiring a floor in this building does more for me than 10 physics problems.
13:04Most importantly, this is my home.
13:05If I don't do it, what, you want my mom to?
13:07The school counselor had nothing to say after that.
13:10He took a sip of coffee and left in silence.
13:15I looked at Mark and raised a brow.
13:18Excuse me?
13:18I'm not your mom.
13:19I'm the one you owe.
13:21Your mom's Nicole, the woman who bailed.
13:23Mark took off his apron and came over behind me.
13:25My dear creditor, all this month's rent has been collected.
13:27It's already in your account.
13:28I also calculated the interest at the highest rate.
13:31So, since I've been doing such a great job, can I get some funding approved?
13:35For what?
13:36I narrowed my eyes right away.
13:37There's an aero modeling competition at school.
13:40I need to buy some materials.
13:41First prize is 20 grand.
13:43By our usual split, you take 80%.
13:45I keep the other 20.
13:46I pulled out my phone and transferred the money right then and there.
13:49Buy the best stuff.
13:50And if you don't bring home first place, I'm docking the cost from your food budget.
13:53Mark looked at the transfer on his phone.
13:55The corner of his mouth lifted a little.
13:56Got it.
13:58Over the years, Mark and I hardly ever talked about Nicole.
14:01But both of us knew.
14:02When Mark was 13, I finally pulled some strings and tracked down that used car dealer from
14:07back then.
14:09He got locked up for fraud.
14:11And Nicole?
14:12Not long after she ran off with him, she found out he was a complete scam artist.
14:16That stormy night, she made the dumbest choice possible, but also the most desperate one.
14:21She used herself as bait to draw the debt collectors away.
14:24She knew me too well.
14:25We grew up together.
14:26She knew I talked mean, but I'd never leave her kid to fend for himself.
14:33When we finally got the truth, Mark was sitting right next to me, that short report in his
14:37hands.
14:38He didn't say a thing.
14:39Things true.
14:41She left you the best shot you had.
14:44Mark folded the report nice and neat, then slid it into the drawer.
14:49Helen.
14:50He looked up at me.
14:51She gave birth to me.
14:52You raised me.
14:54Her debt is paid.
14:57Yours, I'll pay back slowly.
14:59From that day on, Mark pushed himself even harder, like he had a motor in him.
15:03Always studying, always getting better.
15:05Then he set his sights on the top aviation school in the country, the dream school.
15:09The one that turns out astronauts and aerospace engineers.
15:11Its acceptance rate was even lower than Harvard's, and getting in meant surviving rounds of exams
15:15and project reviews.
15:17And his reason?
15:17200 grand.
15:18That's what he'd get if he made it in.
15:20I rolled my eyes and called him money hungry.
15:22But behind his back, I pulled out the deed to this building.
15:24I was already planning it.
15:25The second he turned 18, I'd add his name to it.
15:28Later, he took gold in a national physics competition and came in first in math modeling.
15:32These rewards got him through the door for the final round.
15:34The day the results dropped, the whole neighborhood went nuts.
15:37The community board showed up with a huge congratulatory banner and made a whole celebration out of it.
15:42Mark got in early to Caltech's aerospace engineering program.
15:45Number one aerospace program in the country.
15:47He scored almost perfect.
15:48That 200 grand scholarship?
15:50He transferred the whole thing straight into my account.
15:52Then he dropped a brand new bank card in front of me.
15:56Helen, this year's rent.
15:58I slipped the card into my bag, grinning to myself, and waved him along.
16:01Come on.
16:02My treat today.
16:03I'm taking you out for something good.
16:05Order whatever you want.
16:07If we don't eat 200, it doesn't count.
16:09Mark looked at me.
16:11Just a taco.
16:13Double beef.
16:14We'd barely reached the gate when a black G-wagon rolled up at the end of the block.
16:19It looked totally out of place there.
16:23The door swung open.
16:25A woman stepped out, dripping in jewelry from head to toe.
16:28She hadn't aged much at all.
16:29If anything, money had made her look even better.
16:31She carried herself like money now.
16:33The second she took off her sunglasses, I knew exactly who she was.
16:36Nicole.
16:3712 years.
16:38And somehow, she'd struck it rich.
16:39Nicole saw me by the gate, then her eyes shifted to Mark beside me.
16:43He was a full head taller than me now.
16:45Her eyes turned red on the spot.
16:47She came hurrying over in her heels.
16:49My Mark!
16:50You're all grown up!
16:52Her voice trembled.
16:53She lifted her arms and went to hug Mark.
16:55Mark's eyes stayed cold.
16:56He took half a step back and dodged her hand.
16:59Nicole's hand hung there for a second.
17:01Then her eyes filled with tears.
17:03Mark!
17:04I'm your mom!
17:05I came back for you!
17:09Then Nicole turned to me, pulled a check out of her Hermes bag, and held it out.
17:13Helen, I know I wronged you back then.
17:15Thank you for raising Mark all these years.
17:16It's $3 million.
17:18Take it as payback.
17:19For what I owed you, and for raising Mark all these years.
17:21I'm rich now.
17:22I'm taking Mark to New York.
17:24I can give him the best life, the best resources.
17:26I looked at the $3 million check.
17:28So that was her game.
17:29Back then, she used me.
17:30Now, she wanted to buy me off.
17:31I hadn't even said a word.
17:33Mark suddenly stepped in front of me.
17:34He put himself between me and Nicole and shut her out completely.
17:37He looked down at Nicole from above.
17:39There wasn't a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
17:41Like she was a total stranger.
17:43Then Mark spoke.
17:44His voice was so calm, it was chilling.
17:47Ma'am, $3 million?
17:49With today's interest rates and inflation?
17:53That doesn't even cover 12 years of food, housing, school, or Helen's sunk cost in me.
17:58Nicole froze.
18:00Mark, what are you talking about?
18:02Mark didn't even react to her shock.
18:03Second, whatever I do with my future has nothing to do with you.
18:07Nicole's eyes flew wide.
18:12And last, you're blocking the way.
18:13I'm trying to buy my mom a burrito.
18:15She covered her mouth and broke into sobs.
18:17How can you talk to your mother like that?
18:18I had no choice back then.
18:20I left you here to protect you.
18:23I know.
18:24Mark cut her off.
18:26It was the best move for you at the time.
18:27I get it.
18:28That doesn't mean I have to thank you for it.
18:30And it definitely doesn't mean I'm leaving Helen to go with you.
18:33He pointed at me behind him.
18:34Back then, you used me as collateral and left me with her.
18:37Now that the collateral has appreciated, you want to redeem me for $3 million?
18:40Sorry.
18:42I'm not for sale.
18:43Then she looked at me like I might help her.
18:45Helen, talk to him.
18:46If he comes with me, he'll have a real future.
18:48Nicole, you're still just as full of yourself.
18:50What can you give him?
18:52All you can give him is a few lousy bucks and a fake image.
18:55What I gave him is backbone.
18:57Backbone.
18:59$3 million?
19:00Who are you trying to insult some guy sleeping on the street?
19:02Mark's a genius headed for the top aerospace program.
19:05And one day, this whole building's his.
19:07That money of yours?
19:08It wouldn't even cover his future rocket parts.
19:10Now take your check and get lost.
19:12You're in the way of our burritos.
19:13Nicole bit her lip and looked at Mark for a long, hard second.
19:16Mark, if you change your mind, you can come find me anytime.
19:20The SUV disappeared down the block.
19:22And just like that, the block went quiet again.
19:25I picked up the business card she'd dropped, glanced at it once, and tossed it straight into the trash.
19:30Well, look at you.
19:31Too good for $3 million now, huh?
19:34Mark turned and looked at me.
19:37Helen, what you said just now, you said I'm the sole heir to this building in the future.
19:43Is that legally binding?
19:45You little brat!
19:46So you really have been eyeing my property?
19:48Of course.
19:49I've worked for you for 12 years.
19:51I should get some equity out of it.
19:52And lately, your memory's been getting worse.
19:54You mess up the rent math all the time.
19:56It'd be safer if I took over management of the building from now on.
20:01Quit standing there and go get the burritos.
20:04I'm starving!
20:05Mark dodged my kick easy.
20:06Then a bright smile broke across his face.
20:08Okay, Mom.
20:10After all these years, he called me Mom for the first time.
20:13Just like that, I froze.
20:15Mark, in that loose white t-shirt, was running toward the burrito stand at the end of the block.
20:20Rude little bastard.
20:23A little while later, Mark came running back with two burritos.
20:29Helen, yours has double beef.
20:31No onions.
20:32He handed me the paper bag.
20:33I took it, bit in hard, and mumbled through a mouthful.
20:38Mark, when you leave for college, who's going to fix my plumbing?
20:42I'll come back on weekends, and I'll go over your books while I'm at it.
20:46You covering my gas?
20:49I'll take it out of the rent.
20:51We walked back together to that old building of ours.
20:54Nicole would never get it.
20:55Some bonds don't come from blood.
20:57And you can't buy them with money either.
20:59That hundred grand she owed me?
21:00In the end, her son paid it back for her, little by little, with the rest of his life.
21:05Not long after that, Mark got into Caltech for aerospace engineering.
21:08And me?
21:09I threw a huge party in the courtyard.
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