Old Lady Divides Her Inheritance between Two Sons, Momma's Boy Gets a Cent While Rebel Gets $2M — Story of the Day

An older woman got sick and discovered a vital part of her sons' personalities and decided that her considerable inheritance would not be split equally between them for a particular reason.

"Believe me. I never expected this to happen, and it's going to be awkward for the both of us, but it has to be done. So, let's get this over with, and move on," Oliver told his mother, Patricia, who didn't want to get up from her bed after her son entered her bedroom. But he was there for an important task. A task she never imagined he would have to do or that he would be willing: changing her diaper.

But Oliver's hands were on his waist, and the stern look in his eyes made her stand and take it. She was older and couldn't reach the bathroom due to her reduced mobility. Therefore, she started wearing a diaper and quickly realized that one of her adult sons would need to change them or they needed to hire someone.

"This is my house! I should get the house! I deserve it. You got all the money!" Brian whined like a baby.

Patricia didn't think it would be a problem and thought her eldest son, Brian, who still lived with her even though he was in his 30s, would do it. He was always a momma's boy and incredibly sensitive. He loved flowers and reading, and until this issue, she thought he loved her the most.

However, he chickened out of changing her diaper yesterday, and she had unfortunately been unable to do it herself. Brian eventually paid a neighbor woman to do it, but they couldn't do that daily. But now, and to her complete shock, Oliver was there.

Oliver was the youngest, and he was always the rebel. The kind of kid who hates schools and makes everyone laugh. He moved out as soon as he turned 18, bought a trailer home, and went on many road trips around the country. He would find odd jobs to survive, but adventure was in his soul. He also had a motorcycle and a leather jacket, which he was wearing now, as he cleaned her bottom and changed her diaper.

Patricia's relationship with her rebel kid was very different. She raised both boys by herself; maybe that's why Brian was so attached, but Oliver marched to his own drum, and they butted heads often. She had other ideas of what he should do with his life, but he disagreed.

"Ok, we're done. I'll come back tonight and do it again. Let's not talk about it too much, ok?" Oliver said, clapping his hands in a cleaning motion and marching out of her bedroom. Patricia sat back on her bed, and her eyes watered, thinking about what had just happened.

***

"You? You changed her diaper? That's… unbelievable," Brian said that night as they had dinner. Oliver stayed to eat with them and told his big brother that he would be coming for diaper changes. But they would need to find a more permanent solution.

"Yes, I did it. You'll have to do it too," Oliver said with his no-nonsense tone.

"Never," Brian replied curtly and continued eating. Patricia remained quiet through the entire exchange. But noted how Oliver stared deeply into his big brother's eyes for several seconds. Her eldest looked away quickly, focusing on his food.

And Oliver nodded. She had no idea what that exchange meant. But the following days, Oliver came over, changed her diaper, and even gave her a sponge bath, as it was difficult to shower most days. She got to know her youngest kid and asked him questions about his life. His stories were interesting, adventure-full, and a delight to hear.

On the days he couldn't come, Oliver paid for someone for that duty, and Patricia never had to spend too much time in a single diaper before someone came. But Brian… her sensitive, Momma's boy, who had needed everything done for him and still lived in her house… well, he refused to contribute in any way. And Patricia knew in her heart what she must do. Her eldest son needed a lesson.

***

Years later…

"NO! That's not fair! I didn't even know Mom had money except for her pension and the house!" Brian yelled when Patricia's will was read years later.

"Uncle Charlie was rich with no other family, you idiot," Oliver scolded, rolling his eyes. "But I didn't know how much he had when he died." They were in their late mother's house after the funeral, and the will's executor was there with the news. Brian received one cent of his mother's money, while Oliver got $2 million as an inheritance.

"You have to split it with me!" Brian demanded.

"Not a chance," Oliver responded and stood up from the couch. "But since the house was not included in the will, it technically belongs to us both. You can buy my part, or we sell it, and you start living on your own like a grown man."

"This is my house! I should get the house! I deserve it. You got all the money!" Brian whined like a baby. But Oliver shook his head and sighed heavily.

"Deserve it? How? After you refused to move a single finger for our mom when she was sick? I had to come, and change shifts at work to do it when I couldn't afford to pay someone. She knew that, and this is your lesson to learn. Time to be an adult, big bro," Oliver quipped and walked away, buttoning his black jacket.

Brian was forced to sell the house and started renting an apartment in a sketchier part of Sarasota. And Oliver? He quit his job, which he had held for a few years since Patricia got sicker and sicker. After that, the rebel was off on a new adventure.

What can we learn from this story?

• Care for your parents in their old age because they did the same when you were young. Despite butting heads, Oliver cared for his mother and got a considerable reward afterward.
• Teach your children to be independent, or they might never stand on their own two feet. Brian was coddled for being sensitive and a Momma's boy. And he had to learn later in life that he wouldn't be able to rely on his mother forever.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who excluded her son from a $12 million inheritance and gave him a vase instead.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.