I could tell something was wrong when Ben walked through the door that Friday evening. He was dragging his feet, and the usual brightness in his eyes was nowhere to be found.
His hands were still wet, probably from wringing out the towels after washing another car, and he avoided eye contact as he dropped onto the couch.
A frustated little boy | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, bud, what’s going on?” I called from the kitchen.
I had planned on making him his favorite grilled chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner. I was going to have his plate ready the moment he walked in.
But looking at him now, I was worried. Ben was only 14 but recently got a taste of making money and wanted to be independent.
Plates of food | Source: Midjourney
“Come on,” I said, wiping my hands. “You can tell me anything!”
For a second, he didn’t answer but stared at the ground. My heart sank when I saw the frustration etched on his face.
It was like he was trying to find the words but didn’t know how to get them out.
A close up of a little boy | Source: Midjourney
“He… he didn’t pay me,” Ben finally muttered.
“What do you mean? Didn’t Mr. Peterson agree to pay you $50 each time you washed his car?” I asked, feeling my own brow furrow.
Ben let out a sigh that sounded far too heavy for a 14-year-old.
“Yeah, but today, after I finished washing the car for the fourth time this month, he said it wasn’t ‘spotless’ and that I wouldn’t get paid. At all! He said I should have done a better job if I wanted my money.”
An upset boy | Source: Midjourney
I felt my fists tighten. Mr. Peterson, that smug neighbor of ours who always had something slick to say. He strutted around in his suits, making sure everyone noticed the shine on his precious black Jeep.
“It’s a beautiful car, isn’t it?” he would ask, leaning out of his car. “Stunning!”
A few months ago, he became interested in Ben, especially after seeing Ben wash my car.
“Whoa! You’ve done a great job on your mom’s car, Ben! What do you say about washing my car every Friday? I’ll pay you, of course!”
A Jeep parked in a driveway | Source: Midjourney
Initially, I thought that it was a compliment, but now I could see it for what it really was:
A way to exploit cheap labor.
“You’ve been washing that car every week this month, haven’t you?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Ben nodded, sinking deeper into the couch.
A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah, I’ve spent about three hours for the past four weeks, just making sure that it was clean. I even used the hand-vacuum under the seats and everything. But he said that I didn’t deserve to be paid.”
A flush of anger bloomed across my chest.
I knew Ben had done a great job. Whenever he did our car, I was always so impressed by him. And anyway, Mr. Peterson’s car gleamed like a showroom model when my son was done with it.
A frustrated boy | Source: Midjourney
This wasn’t about the car being clean. No, sir. It was about Mr. Peterson being a jerk.
And now?
Now, Ben was left feeling like his hard work wasn’t worth anything.
“How much does he owe you?” I asked.
Ben thought for a moment.
A man in a suit | Source: Midjourney
“Four washes, Mom. So, $200.”
I pulled out my wallet and counted $200 in crisp bills. I handed it to him, watching his eyes widen in surprise.
“Here, you earned this, sweetheart.”
“Mom, you don’t have to. It was Mr. Peterson’s job to pay me!” he exclaimed.
I shook my head, cutting him off.
A woman taking money out of her wallet | Source: Midjourney
“I’m not done with Mr. Peterson, honey. He doesn’t get to treat you like this and walk away.”
Ben looked uncertain, his eyes flicking from the money in his hand to me.
“But, Mom!”
“No ‘buts,’ Ben,” I said, putting my wallet away. “Trust me, I’m going to teach Mr. Peterson a lesson about what happens when you take advantage of someone’s hard work. Now, come on, let’s eat. I’m starving!”
Ben smiled and sat down at the table.
A smiling boy | Source: Midjourney
“Thanks, Mom,” he said, smiling.
The next morning, I woke up with a plan. Mr. Peterson had no idea what was coming. I glanced out the window and, sure enough, there he was, standing in his silk pajamas, meticulously polishing his Jeep like a man obsessed.
I smiled and headed outside, casually walking toward him in my yoga clothes.
“Good morning, Mr. Peterson!” I called out cheerfully.
A man standing next to a Jeep in pajamas | Source: Midjourney
He looked up from his car, his usual smug expression already in place.
“Morning, Irene,” he said. “What can I do for you? But make it quick, I have brunch with the family soon.”
I could have rolled my eyes.
“Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to check in about Ben’s payment for washing your car,” I said. “He mentioned you weren’t satisfied with his work yesterday.”
A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney
Mr. Peterson straightened his back and crossed his arms.
“Yes, that’s right, Irene. The car wasn’t spotless, so I didn’t see the need to pay him. It’s a learning experience, you know? Anyway, he’s a young lad. The world has to humble him.”
The anger from the night before flared up again, but I kept my face neutral, even smiling a little.
“A learning experience, huh?” I said. “Interesting. Ben did tell me that you were a man of your word… and he mentioned that you agreed to pay him $50 per wash, regardless of how spotless it was. And wouldn’t you know it! I’ve got the pictures he took of the car after every wash.”
A man standing next to a Jeep | Source: Midjourney
The smugness in his expression cracked a little.
“Pictures?” Mr. Peterson asked.
“Yes, pictures. He enjoyed sending them to his grandfather after every wash. He is very proud of his work.”
Mr. Peterson grunted.
“And anyway, it seems to me like a verbal agreement was made. And breaking that? Well, that’s a breach of contract, isn’t it? Should I speak to my lawyer about this?”
A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney
The color drained from his face.
“There’s no need for all that!” he exclaimed.
I held up a hand.
“Oh, I think there is. See, Ben worked hard, and you’re trying to cheat him out of what he earned. So, here’s the deal. You pay my son the $200 today, or I’ll make sure everyone in this neighborhood knows how you treat kids who work for you.”
A close up of a man | Source: Midjourney
He just stared at me.
“And if that doesn’t convince you, I’m more than happy to take legal action,” I continued.
I could see the panic settle into his features now. The neighbor with the perfect lawn and the perfect Jeep was suddenly sweating bullets into his silk pajamas.
He opened the car door and fumbled for his wallet, quickly counting out the cash.
A man’s wallet | Source: Midjourney
“Here’s your money,” he muttered, handing over $200 in crumpled bills.
“Great. It’s been good doing business with you,” I said with a smile. “But please, understand that my son will not touch a car of yours again.”
He nodded grimly.
Inside, Ben looked up from the couch when I walked in. He had a bowl of cereal in his hands, and his eyes widened when I handed him the cash.
A boy holding a bowl of cereal | Source: Midjourney
“You actually did it!” he exclaimed.
I grinned, feeling a fierce sense of pride.
“No one messes with my son,” I said. “Especially when they think they can get away with not paying what’s owed. Next time, if someone tries to pull a stunt like that, you’ll know exactly how to handle it.”
“Does this mean that I have to give you the $200 back?” he grinned.
A smiling boy | Source: Midjourney
“No,” I laughed. “But I think you can take me out on a mother-son date for lunch today?”
“Deal, Mom,” he said.
Later, when we were sitting in a cute bistro, Ben leaned across his chair, squinting at the sign from the ice cream parlor across the road.
“Help wanted,” he read. “What do you think, Mom? A weekend job at an ice cream parlor?”
A mom and son duo at a bistro | Source: Midjourney
“Go for it,” I laughed, getting into my burger. “But if the boss is mean, you know who to call.”
My son smiled at me and nodded slowly before picking up a fry.
What would you have done?
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
I Made My Boss Regret Humiliating My Wife’s Appearance in Front of the Whole Office
When Colin and his wife, Alice, end up working at the same company for business tyrant Mr. Taylor, they think that they’ve gotten a sweet deal while they branch out to their passions. But after one mistake at work, Alice is ridiculed in front of everyone, causing Colin to retaliate. As the couple lose their jobs, Colin is left fighting for revenge…
Working as a driver for the owner of a mid-sized company was never the dream, but it paid the bills. If I had to be honest, I would tell you that what I had always wanted to do was own my own construction company, but life often works in funny ways.
A smiling man dressed as a chauffer | Source: Midjourney
The silver lining to being a driver was that I got to go to fancy places and I got to work alongside my wife, Alice. We’d met years ago, long before either of us ended up working at the same place. But when Alice got the job as Mr. Taylor’s personal assistant, she dropped him my resume.
“It’s going to be okay, Colin,” she told me one evening when we were making pasta for dinner.
“He needs a personal driver, and you can do that. Neither of us have to stay there forever, but the pay is good enough for the moment. So, until something better comes along for us, we’ll have to make do.”
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
“I know,” I agreed.
Read the full story here.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Millionaire Mocks Poor Woman with 3 Kids on Business Class Flight until Pilot Interrupts Him
A mother-of-three is criticized by a millionaire for traveling in business class, but all of his grievances are forgotten when the pilot greets them and makes a special announcement only for her.
“Aww! You can’t mean business! Is this where you’re forcing her to sit? You had better take action, Miss! A mother-of-three was approaching his nearby seats with a stewardess’s help, and Louis Newman moaned.
The stewardess apologized and showed him the tickets in her kind reply. We are unable to change the fact that Mrs. Debbie Brown and her kids have been given these seats. I would ask that you please assist us.
“Miss, you’re not understanding! I have an important meeting with investors from overseas. I can’t afford to lose this contract since her kids will keep talking and creating sounds!
“Sir.” Debbie cut the stewardess off just as she was getting started. “Everything is OK. If the other people are willing to switch seats with my kids and me, I can sit somewhere else. For me, that is not a problem.
“That’s not at all, ma’am!” the hostess exclaimed. “You have the right to be here because you paid for the seat you’re in! It doesn’t matter if someone loves it or not, and mister,” she said, turning to face Louis, “I would like it if you could wait for the trip to be over.”
Rich businessman Louis Newman was displeased that the waitress had turned down his request, but he was more displeased that he had to take a seat next to a woman dressed cheaply on the aircraft, who didn’t seem to belong in business class.
After helping her kids firmly settle into their chairs, the mother sat next to him. He turned his face away and put on his AirPods to avoid being forced into conversation.
The flight took off as soon as the boarding procedure was over and everyone was seated in their designated seats. The kids started chirping with excitement as the plane took off because it was Debbie and her kids’ first time traveling in business class. Stacey, her daughter, exclaimed, “Mom!” “Look, we’re taking off at last! Happy!
Some of the other passengers on the plane turned to stare at Stacey, smiling at her naivety, but Louis’s attitude was disdainful. He turned to face Debbie and whispered, “Listen.” Would you kindly ask your kids to keep quiet? I’m attending a meeting from here since I missed my last flight. I’m not looking for any form of interference.
Debbie graciously apologized and gestured for the kids to keep quiet. Debbie learned from Louis’s frequent mention of fabrics and the fact he carried a guidebook containing designs that he was a businessman primarily involved in the fabrics industry during their nearly two-hour encounter.
Debbie came up to Louis after his meeting was over and said, “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
Although Louis didn’t want to talk to her, he was relieved that his meeting had gone well and the investors had approved the agreement, so he swallowed his haughtiness. “Well…Yes, please proceed.
“I saw that you have a handbook with patterns and samples of fabrics. Do you have a job in the apparel sector?
“Oh, yeah…Indeed, that is a valid point. I run a clothes business in New York. A deal had just closed. It worked, even though I hadn’t really hoped it would.
Oh, how beautiful that is. Best wishes! Actually, I’m a Texas small-business owner. It is mostly a family event. My in-laws in New York started it. We just launched a location in Texas. I was quite amazed by the designs you were showcasing.
Louis laughed sarcastically at her. “Many thanks, dear! However, my company hires some of the top designers, and we recently struck a contract with the best design firm in the world, so the designs we produce are not like something from a little local or family store! A BRAND NEW? Really? He smirked and said enough to make fun of Debbie.
Debbie was embarrassed by his remark and said, “Oh, well,” but she remained composed. “I – I recognize. It must be a really significant issue for you.
“Something enormous?” Louis shook his head and grinned. It was a million-dollar deal, but a poor woman like you would never comprehend! He paused for a moment, then said, “Let me ask you this again.” “I mean, I saw all of your tickets.” You may be traveling with us in business class, but you don’t seem like the kind of person who should be here! Perhaps the next time, try economy and see who else has stores similar to yours.
By now Debbie’s patience was wearing thin. “Listen, sir,” she admonished. “I know I’m getting ahead of myself; it’s my first time flying in business class, and I had trouble figuring out the check-in procedure and everything,” the person said. Although he is traveling with us, my husband
Before Debbie could say anything further, they arrived at JFK as announced over the intercom. But after making his announcement, Captain Tyler Brown, the pilot, had more to say before shutting off the intercom.
Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to each and every person traveling with us, especially my wife Debbie Brown. Debbie, my love, words cannot express how much your help means to me.
When Louis saw that Debbie’s husband was a pilot on the flight, his face flushed with shame and his heart missed a beat.
I was anxious because this was my first time piloting an A-class aircraft. I am grateful to my spouse for reassuring me that everything will work out and choosing to come along even though she is afraid of flying to soothe my concerns. I returned to work today after a protracted period of unemployed. Debbie has never complained about her circumstances, despite the fact that my wife and I have never had it easy and have faced many challenges in our life. I would thus like to pop the question to my wife once more on this flight on this day, which also happens to be the day we initially met—a date I think she has forgotten. Debbie, sweetheart, I adore you!
At this point, Tyler defied convention and exited the pilot’s cabin, popping the question to Debbie and putting a ring on her finger. “Mrs. Debbie Brown, would you like to spend the rest of your life with me again?”
Now Debbie and her kids had been the center of attention for everyone on the plane; they looked like the most gorgeous family imaginable. The passengers cheered as Debbie nodded yes through crying eyes, while Louis stood confused and ashamed. Debbie, nevertheless, would not stand by and let him get away with it. “A materialistic man like you, who only thinks about money, would never understand how it feels to have a loved one around you,” she stated to Louis as they were getting off the plane. Indeed, my spouse and I lead a modest life, but we take great pride in it!
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