Poor Mechanic Fixed A Stranded Old Man’s Car For Free—Next Morning, 10 SUVs Arrived At His Garage 

Poor Mechanic Fixed A Stranded Old Man’s Car For Free—Next Morning, 10 SUVs Arrived At His Garage 

[music] >> Afternoon. That hose has been talking to you for a while, hadn’t it? Started hissing about 2 miles back. I was hoping it was just being dramatic. No, sir. She means it. Come on, have a seat right here and let me take a look. Radiator hose. She split clean through. I’ve got one on the shelf that’ll fit her.

How long has this place been yours? 5 years now. My father built it. Ran it for 22 years before he passed. You’ve been out here by yourself since then? Yes, sir. Most months I’m not sure how much longer I can keep the doors open. Parts cost more. Customers drive to chain shops on the highway. Some weeks it’s just me and that folding chair.

So, why do you stay? Because my father built this place with his hands. Poured the slab himself. Hung that sign himself. He taught me a man doesn’t walk away from what his family built just because it gets hard. No. He doesn’t. All right. New hose, fresh coolant. She’ll get you home and then some. What do I owe you? Nothing.

Son, I’m not leaving here without paying you. Yes, sir. You are. My father had one rule in this shop. You don’t charge a man who’s stranded. I can see this place could use every dollar it can get. I’m not too proud to to it. And you shouldn’t be too proud to take it. >> It’s not pride. That hose cost me $5 and 10 minutes.

I’ll sleep better tonight knowing you got home safe than I would holding your money. >> Your father raised a good man. He raised a mechanic who pays attention. You drive safe now. >> Thank you, Jerain. >> Anytime. >> One small light in a stranger’s eyes. >> Mr. Tate? >> That’s me. >> Mr. Brodnax sends his regards.

 He’d like every vehicle in this fleet fully serviced. Oil, brakes, tires, filters, the works. >> Brodnax Holdings. Give me 1 minute. I was wondering how long it’d take you to call. >> Mr. Brodnax, Brodnax Holdings. That’s you. You’re Sir, you showed up here yesterday in a 20-year-old Cadillac with a busted hose. >> I like that car.

She’s got character. >> This is too much. I can’t accept this. >> It’s not a gift, Jerome. It’s a contract. Those vehicles need servicing every quarter. And I’d rather pay a man who earned my trust than hand it to a stranger who hasn’t. >> You don’t even know me. >> I know you fixed a stranger’s car and wouldn’t take his money when you clearly needed it.

That tells me everything a resume never could. >> This is enough work to keep my shop alive for 6 months. >> Good. I’ll find 6 more months worth after that. >> I don’t know what to say. >> Say you’ll do good work. And if you don’t mind an old man sitting in that folding chair of yours from time to time, I could use somewhere quiet to spend an afternoon.

>> That chair is always open. >> You rebuilt that transmission yourself. Last winter. Took me three weekends and a lot of swearing. >> Your father teach you transmissions? >> He taught me everything. Engines, brakes, electrical. Used to make me take things apart and put them back together until I could do it with my eyes closed.

I hated it when I was 12. I’d give anything to do it one more time now. >> That’s how you know it mattered. What about you? You know your way around an engine? You were watching me work yesterday like you understood every piece I touched. I’ve turned a few wrenches in my time. >> [laughter] >> Broadnax Holdings and you’ve turned a few wrenches.

All right, old man. Keep your secrets. >> How long has How long has picture been hanging there? Since my father put it up. 15, 20 years. I was sitting in this chair all last week and I never noticed it. The light’s hitting it different today. Who is that? That’s my father. Thomas. He was about 25 there. That’s the first car he ever rebuilt on his own.

Bought it for $200 and sold it for $3,000. Mr. Broadnax, you all right? I need to tell you something. And I need you to hear me out. 30 years ago, my wife Ruth died. Heart attack, right there in the hospital while I was holding her hand. I drove myself to that hospital. And after she was gone, I tried to drive myself home.

 I couldn’t see straight. I pulled over on a dark road about 6 miles from here and I sat on the curb with my head in my hands. What happened? One man pulled over. A young mechanic. Couldn’t have been older than the man in that photograph. He didn’t ask me what was wrong. He didn’t want to know my name. He looked under my hood, saw the alternator that was shot, and he rigged it with a belt from his own car so I could get home.

 I tried to pay him and he told me to put my wallet away and get where I needed to go. I looked for that man for years, Jerome. I wanted to thank him. I never found him. Are you telling me that was my father? The man in that photograph is the man who stopped for me on the worst night of my life. I have never forgotten his face. He never mentioned it.

Not once. Why not? Because that was just who he was. He helped people and kept moving. He wouldn’t have thought twice about it by the next morning. Well, I have thought about it every year. For 30 years. And then I broke down on a dusty road and his son his son fixed my car and wouldn’t take my money. Your father’s kindness reached across 30 years and brought me to this shop.

I don’t believe that’s an accident, Lorraine. Maybe he’s still out here. Still pulling over for people. Ruth and I bought this car the year we got married. 1967 Mustang. She picked the color. She picked the seats. She said this car was the only thing she owned that made her feel like herself. She’s gorgeous. She hasn’t run since Ruth died.

I promised her I’d restore it. I never could bring myself to do it alone. You want me to help you finish it. If you’re willing. I’m willing. >> Engine’s locked up. But that’s sitting, not damaged. We need gaskets, seals, new fuel lines. Carburetor’s going to need a full rebuild. Three maybe four weeks if I can find the parts.

>> Jerome, there’s something else I need to tell you. Something I haven’t told anyone. >> I’m listening. >> I’m sick. Terminal. The doctors gave me months, not years. >> How long have you known? >> Long enough to make peace with it. What I can’t make peace with is the silence. >> My son, Roland, he calls when he needs something signed.

That’s the shape of it. There is no one to tell. >> So, why are you telling me? >> Because you are the first person in years who has sat with me without wanting something from me. Every meeting I take, every handshake, every phone call, someone wants a piece. You handed me a $5 hose and told me to drive safe. I would rather spend my last months beside an honest man than die in a house full of silence.

>> We’re going to finish this car, Mr. Broadnax. >> That’s all I need. >> Then that’s what we’ll do. >> [music] >> Engine block’s nearly there. Another week, >> [music] >> maybe less, and we can try turning her over. >> You know, the first engine I ever rebuilt looked a lot like this one. You rebuilt engines? I started out as a grease-stained mechanic in a one-bay shop about the size of yours. Smaller, actually.

 Dirt floor. No lift. I did everything on my back on a creeper I built out of plywood and roller skate wheels. >> Broadnax Holding started in a shop like mine? >> That’s why I stopped when I saw your sign. It looked like my own beginning. I heard a rumor that you’re dying. I was going to tell you myself. The day you picked up the phone.

>> Okay. Whatever, old man. >> Who is this? >> Roland. This is Jerome Tate. He’s been helping me restore your mother’s car. >> Helping you? A stranger in your home with his hands on your property and nobody thought to mention this to me. >> You haven’t called in 4 months, Roland. >> I know exactly what this is. A young man circling a dying rich man waiting for the payout.

I’ve seen it a hundred times. >> I’m a mechanic. Your father asked me to help him with a car. >> My father is sick and he is vulnerable and you are taking advantage of that. I want you off this property. Today. And don’t come back. >> Roland. That is enough. >> I’m protecting this family’s interests. Somebody has to.

>> I’ll go. You’ll thank me for this. >> When did you start caring about this family? >> [singing and music] >> He called me a con artist, Grandma. Stood right there in front of his own father and called me a con artist praying on a sick old man. >> What did Elijah say? >> He tried to stop it. But he’s frail, and Roland just talked right over him.

I couldn’t stay there and make it worse. So, I left. >> You left because you didn’t want Elijah upset. >> Mhm. >> I left because his son told me to leave, and I didn’t have the right to argue. It’s his family. It’s their house. >> Jerome, a man who did nothing wrong does not leave with his head down. You stand on your feet.

>> What am I supposed to do? Force my way back onto the man’s property? Mr. Broadnax? >> [sighs] [gasps] [panting] >> Jerome. I fell. I’m in my study, and I can’t get up. >> Are you hurt? Can you move? >> I tried calling Roland. All I got was his voicemail. That automated recording. He didn’t pick up. >> Stay on the line with me.

Don’t try to move. I’m coming right now. >> The front door is unlocked. >> Stay awake, Mr. Broadnax. Talk to me. I’ll be there in 15 minutes. I’m here. I’m right here. Can you feel your legs? >> I can feel everything. That’s the problem. >> Don’t move. Paramedics are on the way. I called from the car. >> [sighs] >> You came.

>> Of course I came. >> I called Roland first. The phone rang and rang, and then that machine picked up. His own voice on the recording telling me to leave a message. >> Don’t think about that right now. >> I’m not thinking about it. I’m done thinking about it. >> [snorts] >> How long have you been sitting there? >> A few hours.

Paramedics said you need to stay still and rest. No arguments. >> I’m too tired to argue. >> Good. That’s a first. >> [sighs] >> I told you not to come back here. >> I called the ambulance. I stayed. Your father asked me to be here. This is a family matter. >> He came in 15 minutes. Where were you for 2 years? >> I was I didn’t see the call.

>> You didn’t see it. You didn’t see it for 2 years, Roland. Not the calls, not the silence, not the empty house. Leave this room. You are the closest thing to family I have left. >> [screaming] >> She’s done. >> [music] >> Come see her. >> [screaming] >> You ready? >> Ruth loved this car more than anything

we owned. More than the house. More than the rings. >> Tell me about her. >> She used to roll down every window and drive with her hand out in the air. She said this car was the only place she ever felt completely free. >> She had good taste. >> She had perfect taste. She married me, didn’t she? You gave me something money could never buy, Jerome.

I have spent 40 years writing checks and closing deals. >> And none of it none of it felt like hearing that engine today. You don’t have to. You don’t have to >> Let me finish. I’ve spoken to my attorney. When the time comes, you’ll understand. >> Elijah, I don’t want anything. >> I know. That’s exactly why. >> I just wanted I just wanted to hear her run for you.

>> You did more than that. You gave a dying man a reason to love his last days. >> [sighs] >> He passed 2 days ago. Peacefully, they said. In his sleep. >> Were you with him? >> I was with him the day before. We sat on that bench by the drive and listened to the Mustang idle. He didn’t say much. He just held my hand and watched the light move across the hood.

>> That sounds like a good last day. >> His attorney called this morning. He wants me at a reading of the will. >> Do you know what it says? >> No. Elijah told me I’d understand when the time came. >> Mhm. >> That’s all he said. >> [snorts] >> Whatever it is, you go in there and you stand on your feet. >> Gentlemen, Mr.

 Broadnax revised his will 3 weeks before his death with full legal counsel and a medical evaluation confirming sound mind. I’ll read the relevant provision. The entirety of the estate, Broadnax Holdings, all properties and all personal assets is left to Jerome Tate. >> That is fraud. That man manipulated a dying, vulnerable old man into signing away his family’s inheritance.

>> I never asked your father for anything. >> You moved in on a sick man and you played him. Every mechanic act, every visit, every little errand, it was all a long game. I would give every dollar back for one more afternoon in that carriage house. We’ll be filing to invalidate on grounds of undue influence.

Before we proceed, Mr. Broadnax left a recorded statement. He was insistent that it be played at this reading. >> If you’re watching this, I’m gone and someone is contesting what I’ve decided. So, let me say it plainly. Jerome Tate never asked me for a single thing. Not once. Not a dollar, not a favor, not a promise.

 He fixed my car on the worst afternoon of my week and told me to put my wallet away. He rebuilt my wife’s Mustang so I could hear her voice one more time. He answered the phone when my own son would not. 30 years ago, Jerome’s father, Thomas, stopped on a dark road and saved a stranger on the worst night of his life. That stranger was me.

And 30 years later, his son did the same thing. I am leaving everything I built to Jerome >> [music] >> because I trust him to do what I wish I had done with it. To build something that serves people who are still >> [music] >> where we both started. This boy is my family. Not by blood, >> Mhm. >> by choice. >> Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Tate.

>> When did it open? >> Last month. [music] 12 students enrolled already. We teach automotive, electrical, carpentry. Kids who need a trade and a chance. >> Your father and Elijah would both be proud of you. >> I’m not doing anything they didn’t do first. Just pulling over for people. >> You haven’t moved into that big house yet.

>> Not yet. I’m not ready for all that space. I’ve got the shop. I’ve got this. That’s enough for now. >> Broadnax Tate. That sounds right. >> It sounds like exactly what it is. >> Excuse me. My truck broke down about a half mile up the road. I don’t I don’t have any money. >> Pull it in. Let me take [music] a look.