From Heartbreak to Homelessness: How One Man Got the Last Laugh on His LA Ex
Let’s be honest—most of us have fantasized about running into an ex who did us dirty and having the perfect comeback locked and loaded. It’s the stuff of cinematic daydreams: You, looking fabulous and thriving; them, wallowing in regret or, in this case, literally begging for change on the streets of Los Angeles. For one Redditor, this is no fantasy—it’s a petty revenge story for the ages, served ice-cold, ten bucks at a time.
Two years after being kicked out by his booze-fueled ex in LA and left homeless, u/TheOnlyRealAsshat spotted her on a street corner, cardboard sign in hand. What he did next? Well, it’s the kind of savage, poetic justice that makes Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge such a guilty pleasure.
From Idaho Dreams to LA Nightmares
Our story begins in, of all places, Idaho—land of potatoes and, apparently, star-crossed lovers. Boy meets girl. They’re both sober and hopeful. Life’s not perfect, but hey, it’s manageable. Then, as is often the case, the promise of a fresh start lures them to LA, city of angels, dreams, and, sometimes, nightmares.
This is where things take a sharp left turn. The girl, now back in her old stomping grounds, reconnects with her “loser” friends and spirals into alcoholism. Instead of leaning on her partner, she turns on him—kicking him out when he refuses to bankroll her drinking sprees. If you’ve ever tried to survive in LA without a home, you know: that’s a one-way ticket to rock bottom, and, as our Redditor puts it, “DOG SHIT.”
Life’s Plot Twist: The Petty Edition
Fast forward two years. Our protagonist, no longer homeless and presumably doing pretty well for himself, spots his ex—disheveled, down on her luck, holding a sign and asking for change. Most people would grit their teeth and keep walking, maybe toss a buck if they’re feeling generous.
But nope. This is r/PettyRevenge, folks, and u/TheOnlyRealAsshat came prepared.
He walks up, hands her a crisp ten-dollar bill, and delivers the line he’s probably been mentally rehearsing for months:
“Here’s that alcohol money you kicked me out for.”
Mic drop. She explodes in a fit of cursing as he walks away, head held high—until she realizes, hey, ten bucks is ten bucks, and that’ll buy her another round. The cycle continues, but at least, for a brief, shining moment, the tables have turned.
The Sweet Science of Petty Revenge
What makes this story so undeniably satisfying? It’s not just the clever quip or the poetic justice. It’s that sense of closure—the opportunity to say what you wish you could’ve said back when you were at your lowest.
And let’s be real: petty revenge gets a bad rap, but sometimes it’s the only way to reclaim a little dignity after someone drags you through the mud. As commenters on the original post pointed out, it’s not about kicking someone when they’re down; it’s about finally standing up for yourself, if only in a small, symbolic way.
Lessons from the Sidewalk
This isn’t just a story of petty revenge—it’s a cautionary tale. Relationships can be messy, especially when addiction rears its ugly head. Sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away, even if it means starting over from scratch. And if you ever get the chance to serve your ex a slice of humble pie? Make sure it’s piping hot.
But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Homelessness is a serious, complex issue, especially in cities like LA. Not every ex you see on the street is there because of bad choices or karma—sometimes, life just isn’t fair. But in this case, the universe decided to even the score, if only for a moment.
What’s Your Petty Revenge Story?
So, dear reader, what would you have done in this situation? Would you have kept walking, or delivered that killer zinger and walked away feeling vindicated? Share your own stories of petty revenge (or redemption) in the comments below—because sometimes, the best therapy is a little storytelling, and maybe a ten-dollar bill.
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Original Reddit Post: I Saw My Ex Begging for Change: