A teacher stumbles across her best pupil on the street, asking for handouts from random people. She hears about his sick younger sister and offers to assist in ways he and his mother were not expecting. “No matter how hard we battle, certain problems simply don’t go away,” Ronnie observed. He was lost in thought, resting on a seat by the roadside curb. His eyes welled up with tears. “I’ve got to do it. Sorry about it, Mom! “He cried.
Ronnie was a baseball enthusiast who never missed after-school practice. But that was nothing compared to his sister’s illness and his mother’s effort to pay for her care. Chelsea had been unwell for the whole week, and here Ronnie was, collecting alms in his hat to purchase her meds. Christie couldn’t figure out why Ronnie was begging in the first place. He was her finest pupil and the most wealthy kid in the class.
It didn’t make sense that a youngster who often got out of his fancy SUV at the school gate was suddenly left alone, asking for pennies from random passers-by. “What happened to his parents? What became of Ronnie?” Christie seemed perplexed… “Good Lord,” she mused, “why is my closest friend’s kid asking for alms?” Christie and Ronnie’s mother, Brenda, were closest friends through thick and thin until Ricky came into their life. Brenda’s lover, Ricky, whom she married against Christie’s desires.
Christie had advised her buddy, “I hope you’re not going down the wrong path by marrying him.” “Marriages are built in paradise, but I worry marrying that wealthy flirt will transform yours into hell.” Brenda was over over heels in love with Ricky. All of her closest friend’s advise felt pointless at the moment. She ignored Christie and married Ricky, creating a schism in her friendship. The two buddies had never met before and had only chatted about Ronnie’s grades since Christie was his class instructor.
We take a long time to correct our mistakes, but it is better late than never. “I hope everything is well,” she inquired as she approached the youngster. “What are you doing here, Ronnie?” Christie’s voice caught him off guard. “Are you Ms. Jones?” Ronnie became pale and silent. Christie saw he was well-dressed and groomed. She hoped it was a joke or prank that youngsters his age were known for. But it wasn’t the case. Her class president was actually pleading for charity.
“What are you doing here, Ronnie? Why are you wearing that coin-filled cap? You need to be at home, “She was concerned. With huge, tearful eyes, the youngster glanced up at her. “No, Ms. Jones, I need funds for my younger sister’s therapy. She’s been sick all week, and her mother has been suffering financially.” Christie was taken aback. She knew how wealthy Ronnie was in the class, and it would be some kind of joke if he had turned penniless overnight. “I’m confused…what happened, Ronnie?
What do you mean your mother is having financial difficulties? “She urged him for further information. “I was seeking for work, but no one was willing to employ me,” Ronnie said. “They told me there were no employment for nine-year-olds like me.” Christie pursed her lips and sat alongside him, resting her hand on his shoulder. “Tell me what happened, and where is your mother?” she inquired, surprised by what she was about to hear.
“I overheard mum and dad arguing on the phone a few days ago. She was pleading with him for money to pay for my sister’s treatment. When he declined, she began yelling at him “Ronnie said. “However, why would your father refuse to pay for your sister’s treatment?” Christie was intrigued. “Because my father no longer lives with us. He abandoned us a long time ago and never spoke to us again.
He stole the most of our belongings, including our automobile “Ronnie disclosed “That’s why I walk to school now,” he said. Christie was taken aback since she had no idea. Ronnie and his mother suffered greatly when his father Ricky died. Their anguish increased when Chelsea, his sister, became sick and required immediate medical attention. So Ronnie took it upon himself to assist his mother, just as she had done for them. But he did it behind her back because he was worried she would not let him beg.
“This would have been a good lesson for her. I urged her not to marry Ricky, but she didn’t listen “Christie, teary-eyed, reflected. She realized she couldn’t stand by and watch her closest friend suffer, so she resolved to assist. “Brenda, on the other hand, will not accept a cent from me. How can I assist her? “She pondered, and an idea came to her right away. The following evening, students and staff gathered in the reception area, waiting for their turn to deposit money into a box labeled “Save Little Girl’s Life.”
Christie devised the scheme. She’d planned a fundraiser at school, and it had been successful! Christie had even given a significant portion of her income to the cause. “I don’t know how to thank you, Ms. Jones,” Ronnie sobbed as Christie handed him the money box. Ronnie presented the money to his mother later that evening. She was astounded and asked him how he had amassed so much money.
“My teacher, Ms. Jones, helped me, mum,” he whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks. Brenda, moved by her best friend’s assistance, asked Christie to supper the following day. She apologized for clashing with her estranged husband, Ricky, and choosing him over her 10 years ago. “Sometimes it takes a long time to reconcile our disagreements, but it’s better late than never!” Christie said as she hugged her closest friend after their wonderful reunion.