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.Mr. Jefferson realized that his daughter made a lot of sense. He felt terrible that he had been pouring all of his time into his work and somehow neglecting his family in the process. He promised to help Jack and his mother before sending Jack home through the office chauffeur. The day after Jack’s surprise visit, Mr. Jefferson called Debra to his office. “Your son came here yesterday, and he said some surprising things,” he told Debra. Debra looked at him nervously, curious about what Jack could have said to merit a meeting with the company CEO. “There’s no other way to say this, but you’re fired, Debra,” Mr. Jefferson said.The look on Debra’s face dropped. She was gutted and started to panic. “Sir, no! I don’t know what my son said, but he’s just a boy. I’m so sorry for whatever he said. Please don’t fire me. I really need this job!” she pleaded.”Don’t be silly, Debra,” he replied. “You’re one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met! I’m not going to fire you for no reason. You see, yesterday, your son visited me while my 10-year-old daughter was here. They both made me realize some things.” “Our kids won’t be young for long, and I think it’s important we pay attention to them and give them time. I’ve decided to take my family on vacation, and I want you and Jack to come with us. Of course, the entire vacation will be paid in full,” Mr. Jefferson revealed. “What do you say?”Debra was confused. She had just lost her job – she couldn’t possibly afford to go on vacation. She worried about not having money flowing in for their daily expenses.”I appreciate your kindness, sir, and I would love to spend time with my son, too, but I just can’t afford not to have a job right now. Please, sir, if you could just give me a chance, I would like to keep my job,” Debra begged once more. “That won’t be possible, Debra. You don’t belong in the corporate world. I want to invite you to work for my family instead. You and Jack can live with us. We have a cottage in our backyard that would be perfect for you two,” Mr. Jefferson offered.”You only need to work a couple of hours a day, and then you can retreat to the cottage where you and Jack can spend more time together. You have raised a fine young gentleman who truly cares about his mother – you must treasure him!”At that moment, Mr. Jefferson pulled out a bouquet of flowers from under his table. “This is from your son,” he smiled, handing it to Debra. “Go home and have a great day with him.” Debra couldn’t believe her luck. For the first time in years, she and Jack were able to go on vacation. They traveled to the Bahamas with Mr. Jefferson’s family, all expenses paid. When they returned, they moved into their new cottage home, which was situated in a luxurious estate that they used to only see in magazines.