It was a miserable, rainy afternoon when 16-year-old Adam walked through the front door, soaking wet from head to toe. But despite the heavy rain, he was in a good mood.
His father, Steve, glanced up from his newspaper and frowned. “Those clothes are gonna make you sick, young man. Call the driver next time.”
Adam shook his head, water droplets flying from his hair. “It’s fine, Dad,” he said cheerfully. “I met this really nice guy at school today. He helped me out, so I gave him my umbrella since he didn’t have one.”
Steve’s frown deepened. “Help yourself before you help others, Adam! I don’t appreciate you coming home like this!”
“Relax, Dad! He stood up to the bullies for me. This was the least I could do for him. His name’s Kevin. He’s a nice guy.”
Steve stiffened at the name. Kevin? The name sounded all too familiar. And then it clicked. Kevin was the son of Patrick—Steve’s ex-employee, the man he had fired for stealing money from the company.
Steve’s jaw clenched. “That boy is using you, Adam! His father worked for me and tried to steal from my company. I was kind enough not to have him arrested, but I won’t let his son take advantage of you. Stay away from him!”
“Dad,” Adam countered, “that has nothing to do with Kevin. I don’t blame him for what his dad did. That’d be crazy!”
Steve sighed, lowering his voice. “Son, you don’t know how the world works. People can use you without you realizing it. Keep your distance. That’s all I’m saying.”
But Adam didn’t listen. He and Kevin remained friends.
One day, Adam invited Kevin to a movie after school. Kevin hesitated before saying, “I’m sorry, Adam, but I can’t come.”
“Why not? You were so excited about it before!”
Kevin looked away. “I don’t know… I changed my mind.”
“Hey, man, tell me if something’s wrong. Maybe I can help.”
Kevin sighed. “Actually, you can. Let’s call it quits as friends, Adam. I don’t want to be your friend anymore. Sorry.”
Adam was stunned. “What? Why? Did my dad say something to you?”
Kevin swallowed hard. “It’s about both our dads. It’s better if we end this friendship.”
“No way. I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on,” Adam said firmly. “I know what happened at my dad’s office, and—”
“You don’t know everything,” Kevin interrupted. “I lost my mom because of what happened.”
Adam froze. “What?”
Kevin’s eyes filled with tears. “Dad needed money for Mom’s heart surgery. He worked extra shifts but couldn’t afford it. We had no insurance. So he… he did something stupid. He tried to steal the money, and he got caught. He was fired, and we were left with nothing. Mom died.
Then Dad got injured at his factory job. Now, he needs surgery, or he’ll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But we can’t afford it. That’s why I don’t want to be your friend anymore. Your dad hates my dad, and I don’t want any more trouble. Just go.”
Adam walked away, but his heart ached for Kevin. He couldn’t let his friend suffer. So he came up with a plan.
A few days later, Adam secretly took a part-time job at a grocery store. He worked as a cleaner, mopping floors and tidying shelves. At home, he told everyone he was out playing basketball.
But lies don’t stay hidden forever.
One evening, Steve walked into the grocery store. His eyes widened in shock when he saw his son pushing a mop across the floor.
“Adam!” Steve bellowed. “What in the world are you doing here? Why are you cleaning floors? Did you lie to me about basketball?!”
Adam stammered, “Dad—I—I was just trying to help!”
“Help? Who?” Steve demanded, dragging him outside. “You don’t need to work here! Are you in trouble? Tell me what’s going on!”
Adam took a deep breath. “I’m helping Kevin, Dad. His dad needs surgery, and I don’t want to repeat your mistakes.”
Steve’s face twisted in confusion. “What mistakes? What are you talking about?”
Adam looked his father in the eyes. “You let Patrick suffer when you could’ve helped. Yeah, what he did was wrong, but he was desperate. If we turn our backs on them now, we’d be just as wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right, Dad. I want to do the right thing.”
Steve stared at his son, something shifting inside him. He had spent years resenting Patrick, but now, seeing his own son’s selflessness, he felt ashamed.
“You’re right, Adam,” Steve admitted. “I was so focused on punishing Patrick that I ignored his suffering. You don’t need to work here. We’ll help your friend together.”
That evening, Steve and Adam visited Kevin’s house. Adam handed Kevin an envelope, but Kevin refused to take it.
“We don’t need your charity,” Kevin said bitterly. “Just leave.”
Patrick, who had just arrived home, intervened. “Kevin, that’s no way to treat guests. I’m sorry, Steve. Come in.”
Inside, Steve placed the envelope on the table. “I was heartless, Patrick. Maybe if I had shown some kindness, you wouldn’t have felt the need to steal, and you wouldn’t have lost your wife. I want to make it right.”
Patrick shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault, Steve. I made a bad choice. And I can’t accept this.”
“Two wrongs don’t make a right, Patrick. My son taught me that. Our boys understand the world better than we did at their age. Let’s not make the same mistakes.”
After a long silence, Patrick accepted the envelope. “Thank you, Steve. This means everything.”
From that day on, Steve and Patrick put the past behind them. Adam and Kevin remained best friends—stronger than ever.
What can we learn from this story?
- Sometimes, young minds understand life better than adults do. Adam’s wisdom helped his father see the error of his ways.
- True friendship isn’t about background or status. Adam and Kevin stood by each other through thick and thin.
- Kindness has the power to heal wounds from the past. Steve’s change of heart mended old rifts and gave Patrick’s family a second chance.
