When Nicole’s stepmother calls her saying that she has a gift for her, Nicole goes over excitedly. But when she discovers what the gift is, Nicole is torn between keeping her father happy or retaliating. Finally, she accepts it and plans to transform it into something completely different. In the end Nicole is ready to claim the rewards of her hard work.
Ever have one of those moments where you should’ve just trusted your gut? Yep, that was me, standing in my stepmother’s basement, staring at the ugliest, smelliest couch I’d ever seen.
A close up of a young woman | Source: Midjourney
My stepmother, Susan, called me earlier that morning with a grand gesture for my birthday. She insisted that she had a “priceless” gift that was too big for her to move alone.
“You’re going to love it, Nicole!” she said. “It’s absolutely priceless! Come over later today, and we’ll show it to you.”
Now, this is the point when I tell you that Susan and I had never been close. In fact, if I’m being honest, she barely tolerated my existence. So, imagine my absolute surprise when she offered me a gift.
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
“Curiosity killed the cat, Nic,” I said to myself as I got into the car.
I just wanted to see what it was, and I hoped that, for once, she might actually be genuine.
So, I get to my dad’s house, and he tells me that Susan’s busy.
“She’s sorting out the basement, honey,” he said. “Susan is finally cleaning out her clutter. It’s about time, to be honest. Come, have a cup of tea.”
A smiling older man | Source: Midjourney
“No, let me check out the gift first, Dad,” I said. “I’m so curious!”
He chuckled, oblivious to my nerves. Susan had a knack for random gifts. Last year, she gave me water bottles and socks for my birthday. I wondered if this year would be any different.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll get Susan, and then we can have some tea and a slice of cake. Susan made lemon cake this morning.”
A slice of lemon cake | Source: Midjourney
I paced in the foyer while my dad went down to the basement. Moments later, I heard them on the stairs.
Then I saw it.
My dad and Susan were making their way out of the basement with the monstrosity of a couch. The fabric was stained and ripped, with a stench that could probably knock out an adult horse! It looked like it had been neglected for decades!
A stained yellow couch | Source: Midjourney
“Happy Birthday!” Susan beamed, as if she were handing me the keys to a new car.
My dad looked at me expectantly, hoping I’d be happy with the gift. But it was horrendous! Rejecting it would hurt him, and Susan knew it. I could see it on her face.
A close up of a man | Source: Midjourney
I swallowed my frustration and called my boyfriend to bring his van over.
“I’ll be there in about ten minutes, babe,” Derek said.
“Thank you!” I replied. “I think they want the couch out today, so I need to take it home.”
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“Not a problem, Nic,” he said. “I’m just gaming online. But I’ll be done soon.”
I knew that Susan was using me as a free dump and delivery service. That couch wasn’t fit to be in any home. But again, I was determined to keep the peace for my father.
Derek showed up as I was drinking my cup of tea, and we loaded the couch and left for my home. He was going to follow me home, and we planned on having dinner together.
A young man in a driving | Source: Midjourney
“This couch is rough,” he said. “Looks like it’s been through a storm or two.”
My initial plan was to dump it at the curb and let someone else take it, but then something shifted inside me. I wasn’t going to let Susan win.
I decided to restore the couch and give it a second life. And so began a project I ne ver thought would lead to surprising results.
A young woman with yellow rubber gloves | Source: Midjourney
First, I tackled the smell.
The couch reeked of a stench that it seemed to have a life of its own. And the odor only got stronger as the day went on.
Luckily, I found a recipe for a DIY deodorizing solution online: white vinegar, water, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. I mixed it up and sprayed it generously over the couch, letting it sit for a few hours.
Glass bottles on a counter | Source: Midjourney
The vinegar smell was overpowering, but it faded, taking most of the nasty odor with it.
Next, I had to deal with the stains.
The years of spills and neglect had left their mark, so I whipped up a cleaning concoction of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a small amount of dish soap. With a soft brush in hand, I carefully scrubbed the stained areas, working the mixture into the fabric.
Different cleaning supplies on a counter | Source: Midjourney
I let it sit for about fifteen minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth. The transformation was already noticeable. The stains were fading, and I felt optimistic about my restoration project.
But then I had to deal with the rips and tears. A simple needle and thread weren’t going to fix this.
A woman scrubbing a couch | Source: Midjourney
“Nic, you need material,” Derek said while marinating chicken in the kitchen. “There’s no other way than to do a funky patch job.”
“I agree,” I said. “Will you be fine here while I do a quick dash into town?”
Derek nodded.
“But why are you rushing?” Derek asked.
A young man in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“Because if I don’t, it’ll end up as another sidelined project.”
“Go,” he laughed. “I’ll finish dinner in the meantime.”
So, I went to the local thrift store and found some reasonably matching fabric, random buttons, frills, and even two throw cushions.
A young woman in a thrift shop | Source: Midjourney
I used fabric glue to patch the larger holes and an iron-on fabric mender for the smaller tears. Finally, to give the whole couch a more cohesive look, I added some decorative buttons and tufting in key areas, making it look almost intentional.
A young woman sitting on a couch and looking through buttons | Source: Midjourney
“Alright, give it a rest, Nic,” Derek said as he took the last flatbread out of the pan. “You can finish it off in the morning.”
My arms were exhausted from all the scrubbing, so I was ready to listen to Derek and just sit down and eat everything he prepared.
Flatbread on a board | Source: Midjourney
But the next morning, I was back at it. I used my steam cleaner and thoroughly steamed the couch. I spent hours going over every inch of it, bringing the fabric back to life while I imagined every germ evaporating into oblivion.
By the time I was done, the couch looked like something out of a high-end furniture store.
“Damn, Nic!” I said to myself. “Well done, girl.”
A woman steam cleaning a couch | Source: Midjourney
Feeling pretty proud of my work, I decided to post the couch on a social media marketplace for $5,000. It was almost a joke because I just wanted to see if anyone would go for it.
I loved the restoration of the couch, but I also just wanted to see if I could make some money from my DIY project.
“What on earth?!” I exclaimed when my phone buzzed with a notification. Someone named Maggie was ready to purchase my couch!
A woman holding a phone | Source: Midjourney
To my shock, within a day, I got an offer from someone in the ritzy part of town. I couldn’t believe my luck, but I accepted the offer anyway.
“This is just wonderful,” Maggie said.
The moment I agreed to the sale, she came flying over to my place to test out the couch.
“This couch is going to be perfect for my art studio! Why would you ever want to get rid of it?” she asked.
“I’m just redecorating,” I said sheepishly. “But look, it’s yours to love and enjoy.”
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
A few days later, Susan showed up at my doorstep, furious. She had seen the post and the fact that the couch had been purchased for $5,000.
“You ungrateful little brat! How dare you sell my gift?” she screamed.
“Susan, you gave me a piece of junk. Actual junk. I put in the time and effort to restore it. The only reason it was worth anything now is simply because of my work.”
But she didn’t back down.
A close up of an angry woman | Source: Midjourney
“It was my couch! I expect half the money since you sold it. That’s $2,500!”
I couldn’t believe her nerve.
“No, Susan. If you wanted to sell the couch, you should’ve done it yourself. The transformation and profit are all mine.”
“You’ll regret this!” she shouted, storming off.
She hasn’t come back, so I don’t know what she’s planning. But I know I’ll be getting a call from my dad soon.
A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
In-Laws Kicked Us Out of the House They Gifted After We Paid for Renovations — Then It Got Even Worse
When Mike’s parents offer him and his family a home, they are over the moon. Mike and Maria have a growing family, and they need the extra space. So, they venture into renovations, making the house a home. But one day, Mike’s parents called, wanting their home back.
When my in-laws offered us a house, we thought it was a dream come true. With three kids and a tight budget, any help came as a blessing.
A close-up of a house | Source: Midjourney
But, let me be honest with you: the house was far from ideal.
“It’s in the middle of nowhere, Mike,” I told my husband when we were sitting on the couch talking about the possibility of moving into the house.
“It’s miles away from the kids’ school and our jobs! We’ll have to leave a lot earlier just to make it on time,” I said, sighing.
A couple sitting on a couch and talking | Source: Midjourney
“I know, Maria,” my husband said. “It irritates me that the nearest grocery store is twenty minutes away. But I don’t want to seem ungrateful.”
I understood. Their gift came at the perfect time. Our little two-bedroom house was cluttered, and our three kids had to share one bedroom.
A cluttered bedroom | Source: Midjourney
“We’ll do it for the kids,” I said, taking his hand. “Whatever happens, we’ll make it work for them.”
“Think of it as a fresh start, kids,” Mike’s mom said when we went over to their home for dinner. “You’ll love the peace and quiet, and the kids will have a lot of space to run about in. This is going to be good for you.”
“Yes, Mom,” Mike said. “We agree with you. We’re looking forward to this new start and just going on a journey together as a family.”
A family sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Heather Locklear’s Tragic Details
In the 1990s, Heather Locklear was one of the most well-known and sought-after actors; but, in subsequent years, her star power started to decline. Does this stem from her making bad job decisions or from personal struggles?
The actress from “Money Talks” has struggled with a lot over the years, some of which have sent her to rehab several times. She has also experienced her fair share of breakups, love mishaps, and legal run-ins.
In 2018, a someone close to Locklear told Page Six, “We would hate to see that wasted because she has so much talent and beauty.” However, she faces numerous devils. She is left with no option but to resume her treatment and give it another go.
There have been many highs and lows in Locklear’s life, including heartbreaking moments when fans witnessed their idol fall from grace. The actress’s life seems to be turning around, even though she might have needed to hit her lowest point before she could rise above it.
The public has been made aware of Heather Locklear’s substance abuse issues, and it has been reported that she has sought therapy multiple times. When Locklear was admitted to a treatment center for the second time in 2019, her caregivers expressed optimism for her future, a source told People magazine.
The individual stated, “Everyone is hoping that this time will be different, but it’s difficult to predict.” The issue is that she’s simply repeating a previously learned behavior rather than trying something new. She may have attended treatment twenty or perhaps twenty-five times.
The source also highlighted how costly these programs were, and how detoxifications were often part of the treatment.
What particular problems did Locklear have? She was seeking help for issues with “alcohol, pills, and her mental health,” and the insider claimed that “she doesn’t want anybody to hold her accountable.”
There is therapy available if you or someone you know is experiencing addiction problems. Call the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Being well-known has the drawback of making any problems or infractions you may have into newsworthy stories. Every mistake an actor makes is well publicized, and every setback they experience makes for a compelling story. This also applied to Heather Locklear, whose struggles with drug abuse and mental health problems have been well-documented.
Rather than being able to handle these issues in private, Locklear’s 2008 admission to a rehab center in Arizona was made public. “There is no statement, and we will not comment about Heather’s location,” her representative said at the time to E! News.
Although she had some privacy, the article claims that she was there for about four weeks. According to reports, Locklear entered the Sierra Tucson treatment center with the intention of concentrating on her mental health.
At the time, an agent for the actress stated, “Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression.” “She entered a medical facility for appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and she requested a thorough review of her medications.”
Heather Locklear is fortunate to have a large support network of people who genuinely care about her well-being. However, she must take full responsibility for her recovery and must have wanted to ask for assistance.
In 2018, she made headlines once more, this time around for her struggles with addiction and mental health problems as well as her purported refusal to accept support from her friends and family. Her family’s anguish was evident, and the news was terrible.
“Heather is not getting the required medical attention or mental health treatment. It takes more than just going to treatment for addiction problems. Additionally, it’s about receiving the appropriate diagnosis and care for any underlying mental health conditions, a person close to her told People. She withdraws from people, which makes the other problems worse. Naturally, you can’t make someone obtain medical care; they have to desire it, but it can be challenging for a sick person to endure and make informed decisions. Her friends and relatives are incredibly eager to help.
Positively, Locklear eventually received assistance and celebrated her first year of recovery in 2020. She expressed herself on Instagram (or, more precisely, she posted a quote that she claimed to be by Maya Angelou). Later, she promised to give hugs in the post. “One year of sobriety today!!!”
Over the years, people have kept an eye on Heather Locklear because she has been unable to evade public attention in her personal life. This covers the difficulties she encountered in attempting to manage her addiction. Fortunately, she had friends and relatives that cared about her recovery at all times.
Locklear made the decision to keep this private at the time, and while she would subsequently publicly celebrate her sobriety, she has generally been more quieter about the path she traveled to get there.
Though they didn’t seem to be close friends, Denise Richards and Heather Locklear did seem to get along. Moreover, they were neighbors. Once Richards started dating Locklear’s ex-husband, Richie Sambora, their friendship would rapidly deteriorate. However, how were Locklear and Richards acquainted? Initially, Locklear’s friend and former co-star Charlie Sheen introduced them; the two collaborated on the television show “Spin City.”
It is thought that Sambora’s divorce preceded the start of Richards and Sambora’s romance. (Sheen and Richards were also breaking up at the time.) Even so, Locklear must have been hurt by the news. “I’m sorry, but our friendship had to come to an end. Richards said to People in 2006, “The last thing I want to do is create a media frenzy like this, especially as I’m trying to get through a divorce.”
“What brought Richards and Sambora together was our friendship and the fact that we were going through divorces at the same time. “I didn’t take someone else’s spouse,” she declared to Us Weekly. “Have I dated the ex-husband of a former friend? Indeed. Did I end someone’s marriage? No. That would never have happened with Richie if Locklear and I were still friends. Before Richie and I became acquainted, our friendship had ended.
Although her career has slowed down, she has persisted in trying to make a return.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Heather Locklear was a well-known person, most known for her portrayal of Amanda Woodward on the television series “Melrose Place.” Even once the program was over, she kept getting roles, but the amount of leading roles she was cast in in the following years clearly decreased. Older actors in Hollywood are rarely treated well, but Locklear had to face her issues.
Was she ready to quit her work permanently? Nope. Locklear was ecstatic to be chosen for the 2021 television movie “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story.” Aside from having been sober for nearly two years, many viewed this as her comeback and anticipated great things from her.
In reference to her impending 60th birthday in 2021, she remarked, “I’ve always loved getting older because it means I’m alive.” I’m ecstatic. I was unable to care less. I could care less about how I look. My parents still think highly of me. My kid adores me.
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