When Nicole’s stepmother called, claiming she had a special gift for her, Nicole felt a mix of curiosity and doubt. Their relationship had always been tense, but Nicole, holding out hope that this time might be different, decided to go over, eager to see what this “priceless” gift could be.
When she arrived at her dad’s house, he greeted her warmly and mentioned that Susan, her stepmother, was sorting through old things in the basement. “She’s finally clearing out some of her stuff,” he joked. “She said there’s something special for you down there.”
Nicole’s curiosity grew, and after a brief chat, Susan emerged from the basement, with her dad trailing behind, carrying the so-called gift—a couch. But it wasn’t just any couch. It was an old, stained, and smelly relic from another era. The fabric was faded and torn, the cushions were sagging, and a foul odor filled the room.
“Happy Birthday!” Susan said brightly, as if presenting something valuable.
Nicole’s heart sank. This wasn’t a thoughtful gift—it felt like a cruel joke. Her father, however, looked at her with hopeful eyes, clearly expecting her to show gratitude. Rejecting the gift would hurt him, and Susan knew it. Nicole swallowed her frustration and forced a smile, calling her boyfriend Derek to come help.
Later, as Derek loaded the couch into his van, he glanced at her skeptically. “This thing’s a wreck. What are you going to do with it?”
Nicole hadn’t quite figured that out yet. Her first instinct was to toss it, but then something shifted inside her. She wasn’t about to let Susan’s petty move get to her. “I’m going to fix it,” she said, determined. “I’ll make it beautiful.”
Thus began a project Nicole never imagined she’d take on. Armed with cleaning supplies, fabric patches, and determination, she spent hours scrubbing, stitching, and deodorizing. The couch was a disaster, but slowly, it started to change.
The stains lightened, the tears were mended, and the smell—after countless cleaning sessions—was mostly gone. Nicole added her own touch, with decorative buttons and thrifted cushions, turning the couch into a quirky, vintage piece.
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