A 10-year-old boy named Jack felt awful that his mother worked seven days a week to pay for their daily needs. He decided to take matters into his own hands by visiting his mom’s office and talking to her boss in hopes of giving her a break. Jack was a 10-year-old boy who lived with his single mom, Debra. He never met his dad, so his mom stepped up as both mom and dad for the young man. Debra worked as a cleaner seven days a week at a big company. She chose not to have any days off to earn more money for Jack’s daily needs. The hardworking mom never showed it, but working all days of the week was exhausting for her. Cleaning a multi-floor building was no easy feat, and her body ached because of it.
One day, Jack saw his mom sitting on their front porch, crying. He watched her through the window and heard her talking on the phone with her friend. “I’m just so tired, Emily,” Debra cried. “I want to rest, but I can’t. I barely earn enough to care for Jack and pay the bills. I can’t afford any days off,” she told her friend. Jack felt sad that his mom could not rest because of him. He blamed himself, and he wanted to help her. The following day, after school, he made his way to his mom’s office. “Hello, Jack. Are you looking for your mom?” the receptionist asked him as soon as he entered the building. Jack quickly shook his head.
“No, ma’am. Please don’t tell my mom that I’m here. I’m here to see her boss, Mr. Jefferson,” Jack told the woman. The woman was surprised to hear this; it showed on her face. Nonetheless, after Jack’s constant pleading, she decided to give Mr. Jefferson a call to inform him of his unexpected visitor. Mr. Jefferson allowed the woman to take Jack to his office and when Jack got there, he suddenly felt nervous. “To what do I owe this pleasure, young man?” Mr. Jefferson asked Jack. He told him to sit on the couch in front of his table.
“Sir, I’m Jack. My mother, Debra, works here as a cleaner,” Jack said, clearing his throat. “I came here to ask if you could please allow my mom some paid days off. She refuses to take a day off even though she’s tired because she says she needs the money to take care of me,” he explained. Mr. Jefferson was surprised to hear this. “I know how hard your mom works, Jack, and we’re grateful for her service. I’m surprised to hear that she wants to take a day off but refuses to do so. Are things difficult at home? “Jack nodded his head. “It’s only my mom and me at home. It’s always been this way because I never met my dad. Through the years, my mom worked hard to pay our bills and care for me properly. I heard her crying on the phone yesterday, complaining about her body aching. I just feel bad about it, sir,” Jack cried.
At that moment, a young voice spoke up from inside the room. Jack didn’t notice earlier that Mr. Jefferson’s little daughter was there. She was Jack’s age. “Dad, I know what he’s talking about. You’re just like his mom. You’re always at work and you hardly spend time with me. You’re rarely home! Jack also wishes for more time with his mom,” she told her father.
