What Goes Around Comes Around
One cannot just escape from his past. This LA Dodger went from the bottom to the top; in the process, one might think that it would be easy for him to forget about his origins or what he used to do before fame and wealth.
Nobody would be able to guess that, after his fast rise to the LA jet set lifestyle, he was in for a real surprise. A surprise that would come in the form of a visit from a mysterious homeless man.
On Top Of The World
In 2021, Jimmy had the world in the palm of his hand. Born and raised in LA, this 22 year old who had dedicated his whole life to baseball had managed to be a prospect for the first team of the LA Dodgers.
He was a loved and respected member of his community; he was also at the prime of his professional performance. Everyone in the city was expecting him to keep reaching higher and higher in his career. But things weren’t always so cheerful and full of glee for Jimmy.
A Traumatic Past
The truth, not known by many, was that Jimmy’s past had very little to do with his life as a baseball star. His upbringing hadn’t been a walk of roses: he was abandoned by his parents at the door of a LA orphanage.
Growing up, he had never been told who his parents were and why they left him there. This had a big impact on Jimmy’s developing personality. Still, at some point Jimmy’s childhood took a fortunate turn, at least temporarily.
A Temporary Relief
Jimmy was lucky to be adopted by two foster parents. It was a peaceful and loving home in which everyone got along. In a way, it was a haven for Jimmy’s so far unfortunate childhood.
But Jimmy’s foster family, although loving, was also very poor. At one point, they couldn’t even make ends meet to pay their landlord. They were left homeless for a few months. It was then when Jimmy turned to something that, at that time, seemed to be the only thing that could help him get by.
The Discovery Of A Talent
It was then when Jimmy discovered his passion for baseball. This passion would accompany him for the rest of his life.
Even though his family couldn’t pay for a team membership, he spent his days playing baseball with other kids on the street. One of those days, his skills, physical prowess and brazen character attracted the attention of a particular individual.
One Special Person
A well-known character from the neighborhood, who also scouted for one of the city’s amateur teams was impressed by Jimmy’s talents. He approached him, they had a talk and Jimmy was quickly admitted into one of the local clubs.
From that moment, Jimmy quickly rose from the ranks of the amateur teams to the professional leagues. The LA Dodgers stepped in and offered him to join the youth ranks of the team. Jimmy accepted, started getting paid and got himself and his family off the streets. Still, these were not the only things that fate had in its books for Jimmy.
Jimmy’s Party
It didn’t take long before he started being considered for the Dodgers first team. With that came fame and wealth. Having made it to the top from the bottom, Jimmy decided to organize a benefit event for the city’s homeless, as he and his foster parents had lived amongst them at one time themselves.
There was an abandoned warehouse in the city that was known for hosting a commune in which a number of the homeless people in LA lived. He decided to make the warehouse people the main guests of the event. But Jimmy was informed that among those who lived in the warehouse was a certain peculiar individual.
A Mystery Man
Word got to Jimmy that among the warehouse people lived a man named Markus. Markus was known to be an old homeless man who sold his own paintings in the streets of Los Angeles. His art was unconventional and some even found it eerie; still, it had captivated plenty of people.
His enigmatic paintings and a solid clientele had allowed Markus to make decent money and become a well-known individual. Still, little was known about Markus’ past. His figure had acquired a legendary character that made him the subject of plenty of rumors and stories.
The Man Without A Past
Some said that Markus used to be a millionaire who had fallen into disgrace. Others believed him to be a convicted thug on the run. He might even be a bankrupt member of some European nobility or a fugitive war criminal.
Still, Jimmy thought that this kind of rumors are rarely to be taken seriously and, taking a liking to Markus’ art, he decided to try to collaborate with him and sell some of his paintings at the benefit event.
Markus’ Decision
Markus agreed. However, after the negotiations with Jimmy’s representatives, he wasn’t expected at the event. The man had a well-known elusive personality and he was found by some to be an uncanny character. But he changed his mind at the last minute.
Jimmy was running late for his own party. Fortunately, he was able to arrive at the peak of the event. Guests were having fun and Markus’ paintings were selling like cupcakes. Jimmy was glad to see this. But after shaking hands with some people, he locked eyes with someone.
Markus Was There
He recognized Markus standing in front of a dazzled audience. Markus looked back and stared at him. Suddenly, Jimmy was stricken by a tremendous feeling of astonishment and familiarity. He knew that man.
He suddenly realized who Markus was. Markus was no other than his first coach: the first man who had devoted himself to feed Jimmy’s passion and offered him his guidance when he was just a street kid. But, during Jimmy’s rise to success, things had been different for Markus.
A History Of Loss
Markus had fallen into disgrace. He had lost his job, girlfriend and home. He had stopped coaching baseball. He ended up on the street and took painting as his new found passion. Traumatized, he refused to give details about his past to any of his homeless fellows.
At first, Markus didn’t recognize Jimmy. But after a short conversation, he clearly remembered their past together. The student and the master, both teary-eyed, embraced in a hug. It was then when Jimmy asked Markus one question.
Jimmy’s Offer
Jimmy asked Markus if he would like to get back into baseball coaching. Jimmy’s position granted him a lot of contacts that would make it easier for Markus to get a coaching position in a professional team and leave the streets.
However, Markus, still with tears in his eyes, refused Jimmy’s proposal.
Markus Declines The Offer
Markus argued that he was happy with his street life. He was passionate about art, he loved his warehouse fellows and wasn’t interested in money and success.
He just asked one thing from Jimmy: that he remained true to his word and used the money raised by the event to make the lives of the Los Angeles homeless a little better.
Happy Consequences
And that was exactly what happened. The benefit event was a success and Markus made a lot of money with his paintings that he shared with his people from the warehouse.
Jimmy donated all the funds raised by the event to improve the conditions of the commune and help other homeless people in Los Angeles. And Markus kept devoting himself to his art, just like he wanted.