Alex couldn't believe his eyes. "Why have you been doing that all these years?" He just figured out his brother had been secretly stashing his money and not saying a word about it.
When Alex asked his brother about the reason for that, he heard something that made him burst into tears. The brothers' relationship would never be the same after that fateful revelation.
Two Brothers
Todd and Alex Burkemper were ordinary brothers who grew up alongside each other. They lived an idyllic life on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, and their parents showered them with everything they ever needed. Needless to say, they had everything that was necessary growing up.
As they grew up, their brotherhood only grew stronger. Alex always looked up to his older brother, Todd, but the latter’s action might cause quite a rift in the brother’s relationship. Can it ever be mended?
Something Didn’t Add Up
Alex was living with his older brother, Todd, but he was also paying USD 350 on a monthly basis. This amount didn’t seem like much, especially when compared to other cities in the United States of America. However, people found it odd that Todd would charge his brother such a hefty amount.
Todd was a bit more successful than Alex, and he had quite the plan for the money he was getting from his brother. Nobody knew what he would spend the money on, but Todd did. What he wasn’t expecting was Alex’s reaction when he learned the truth…
What Was He Planning?
People thought that Todd was taking advantage of his younger brother, which looked like this was the case. However, he had devised a plan to either make or break his relationship with Alex. This scheme went on for nearly three years.
Alex was clueless, and he had no idea that Todd was simply stashing up the rent money he was paying him. Although when he was about to give up, Todd told him the truth, and he burst into tears in disbelief. What happened between the brothers then?
Meeting Todd and Alex Burkemper
When Todd and Alex were growing up, they were very much inseparable. Their parents treated them as equals, so they treated each other as such. Even though Todd was older, the boys knew that they mattered equally – at least that was what their parents told them.
They were loving children, and they eventually grew up to be responsible adults. Todd and Alex had each other’s backs, and this closeness brought them together into adulthood. Their parents knew they had raised such loving boys, and they couldn’t be prouder of their sons.
They Were Great Brothers
Whenever his younger brother would have problems, Todd would always rush to his side so he could help in any way he could. This was his instinct as an older brother, and Alex loved him for it. This was their special bond, and it had only gone stronger over the years.
Although everything changed when Todd went away to university. Like most young people around that age, Todd wanted to explore, and he had to leave the nest. Naturally, this made Alex really sad, but he was happy that his older brother was trying to forge his own path in life.
Todd Was a Bit More Stable
When he was away in university, Alex missed his older brother so much. So the moments when Todd was home were treasured, but this only happened once every few months. Needless to say, the brothers enjoyed their time, and they made it worthwhile.
Once Todd graduated from university, he immediately got a job, and he also started planning on building his own house. This seemed like a stretch, but he knew that he could do it. He also believed in his dreams because his family encouraged him quite greatly.
He Had a Beautiful House
A few years down the road, Todd had built a beautiful house, and he was living the dream that he had always dreamed of. Every so often, Alex would come to visit his older brother, but his schedule was a bit packed because he was also in university. Alex admired Todd, and he knew that he wanted something for himself too.
Todd’s house was beautiful, and he was proud of how he built it. He didn’t build it with his bare hands but developed the design and kept up with its building phase. So he loved living in that house, and he welcomed his family into his home with open arms.
Alex Was Starting Out
Then it was Alex’s turn to graduate from university, but it would seem that he would have a much harder time than his older brother. He did get a job straight out of university, but it wasn’t really paying much. He had also just gotten a car, and his bills would pile up alongside his student loans.
The first year as a university graduate was hard for Alex, but Todd encouraged him and helped him stay motivated. Todd said, “The learning curb is part of the process. You’re already doing great, and you’ll be better off in no time.” These motivational speeches always made Alex feel better, and he always believed his brother.
He Needed a Place to Live
One day, Alex was facing such a huge blow because he could no longer afford his rent, and he didn’t want to move back in with their parents. So he called his brother and said, “I don’t know what to do. It feels like my options aren’t that good enough.” Todd listened to his brother over the phone, and he came up with the perfect idea.
Todd said, “Why don’t you move in with me? You wouldn’t have to pay rent, and you can save up some money while you’re at it.” Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and he burst into tears. He knew that he could always rely on his brother.
Putting Up with His Brother
The day came for Alex to move in, and Todd supported him through each step of the way. Alex said, “I can’t thank you enough for putting up with me. It means a lot.” Todd gave his younger brother a hug, and he assured him that his life would get better.
For the next few months, the brothers lived together as if they were back at home. This time though, they didn’t have their parent’s supervision, which made it all the more fun. However, there was a catch in Todd’s generosity…
Life Wasn’t Easy
Alex’s life wasn’t as smooth as he expected it to be, and Todd could see how his younger brother struggled. He wanted to help him, but he didn’t want it to seem that he was spoiling him. So he needed to come up with a plan, and a fast one at that.
So one day, Todd sat with his brother and said, “I’m going to need you to start paying rent after the first six months. It’s only USD 350, and it’s not a lot of money.” Alex was stunned at this revelation – he thought he was living at his brother’s house rent-free. However, he had no other choice, so he agreed.
There Were Bills to Pay
The end of the month was a time that Alex dreaded because it meant that he had to pay his bills. He wasn’t earning that much, and he had to set aside some money for his student loans, his car, and now, his rent. He was still pretty stunned at his older brother’s decision, but he understood where he was coming from.
Running a house was no joke, and Alex didn’t want to burden Todd. So he agreed, and he paid his brother in cash every single month. He had no idea where his brother was taking the money, but he assumed it was for the house’s general upkeep.
Alex Was About to Give Up
The brothers were having dinner one night, and Alex blurted out, “I don’t think I can do this for much longer.” Todd looked at his younger brother with a concerned look – he knew exactly how he felt because he felt that too when he was starting out. Todd simply gave his brother a pat on the shoulder.
He said, “Life is hard, but it’s not in our nature to give up. So you shouldn’t give up either.” Alex looked at his brother and gave him a slight smile. He said, “That’s easy for you to say because you live in your own house. I have nothing to my name.”
Todd Was Plotting Something
For the last few years that Alex was paying rent, Todd was stashing his brother’s money into a secret safe. Nobody knew anything about this plan or his motives except their mother. So he called his mother one day and said, “It’s bad. Alex isn’t in the best shape, and we have to set the plan in motion.”
Their mother knew exactly what this meant, so she devised a plan of her own to encourage her youngest son. She called Alex and said, “Honey, I’m coming over tomorrow. Make sure that you’re home, okay?” Alex agreed, and he had no idea what was about to come to him.
An Encouragement from Their Mother
Their mother, Barbara, was a nurturing woman, and she always saw that her sons had everything they ever needed. So when she learned that Alex was terribly struggling with his life and career, she knew that she needed a plan. Although, what kind of plan would help his youngest son?
Little did Alex know that both his mother and his older brother were plotting something to help him out. These were the two people who wanted him to feel better, and they made sure that Alex would be okay if he ever moved out of Todd’s home. What was about to happen was something Alex wasn’t expecting at all…
The Best Surprise
Once he came home from work, Alex was shocked to see both his mother and his older brother sitting at the dining table together. Barbara said, “Sit down, honey. We have something to tell you.” This made Alex quite uneasy, and he had no idea what was about to happen.
Todd said, “Do you know why I’ve been asking you for rent money all this time?” Alex simply shrugged as he had no idea where this conversation would lead. Todd added, “It’s because I’m saving up all the rent money you’ve paid me so you can purchase your own home.”
A Great Big Brother
Todd reached out and handed Alex a stack of cash containing the money he had been paying him all this time. Alex couldn’t handle it, and he burst out into tears. His older brother said, “I only want the best for you, and I wanted to help you reach your goals. I added in some of my personal money so you can quickly purchase your own house.”
Alex hugged his brother tightly, and he said, “I don’t know where to begin – you’ve always been so good to me. This is way too much.” Todd said, “You’re my brother. It’s normal.” Their mother couldn’t believe what she was seeing, and so she captured this special moment and uploaded it on social media, where it had garnered so many likes and comments.
Saving Up for the Future
The money accumulated was about a few thousand dollars, and it was enough to purchase a house for Alex. Still, he couldn’t believe his luck, and he couldn’t think that his brother would do something so special for him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime dream, and he was finally able to reach it thanks to his family.
Alex started to look for houses he could purchase, and his brother also helped him look. They went to various sites together, and they didn’t stop until they had found the perfect one. Naturally, Alex didn’t want to live far from his brother, so they looked around St. Louis.
Believe in Your Dreams
Finally, Alex found the home of his dreams, and he purchased this home in 2020. He said to his older brother, “I couldn’t have done it without you. I’ll never forget your generosity.” Todd gave his younger brother a massive hug and said, “I’m so proud of you.”
Todd and Alex’s story is a true testament that brothers really have each other’s backs. Not only that, but if your siblings are trying to cash in with your rent money, then maybe they’re doing something like this too – or maybe not. It’s always better to ask, right?