It was a terrible, terrible day when sixteen-year-old Adam walked through the front door, soaking wet from the heavy rain that had poured down all afternoon. But despite his clothes sticking to his skin and the puddle forming beneath his feet, he was smiling.
“Those clothes are gonna make you sick, young man. Call the driver next time,” his father, Steve, said, eyeing him disapprovingly.
“It’s fine, Dad,” Adam said cheerfully. “I met this really nice guy at school, and he helped me today. I gave him my umbrella because he didn’t have one.”
Steve scoffed, shaking his head. “Help yourself before you help others, Adam! I don’t appreciate you coming home looking like this.”
“Relax, Dad! He stood up to the bullies for me. This was the least I could do for him! His name is Kevin. He’s a nice guy.”
Steve’s expression hardened at the name. Kevin. That name was familiar. Too familiar. And in that moment, he knew exactly who the boy was.
“Stay away from him,” Steve warned. “That boy is using you, Adam! His father worked for me and tried to steal from my company. I was generous enough not to hand him over to the police! You better watch out.”
Adam frowned. “Dad, that’s got nothing to do with Kevin. I don’t judge people based on their parents’ mistakes. That would be insane!”
Steve let out a deep sigh, trying to stay calm. “You have no idea how the world works, Adam. People take advantage of others. Stay away from that boy, and that’s final!”
But Adam didn’t listen.
He and Kevin remained friends, despite Steve’s warnings. They spent time together at school, talking and laughing like nothing was wrong. One day, Adam invited Kevin to see a movie after school. But Kevin, who had been excited about it before, suddenly refused.
“I can’t come,” Kevin said quickly.
“Why? You were looking forward to this!”
Kevin hesitated. “I don’t know… I changed my mind.”
“Kevin, what’s wrong? You can tell me. Maybe I can help.”
Kevin exhaled deeply. “Actually, you can help,” he said, his voice flat. “By staying away from me. Let’s just stop being friends, Adam. I don’t want this anymore.”
And with that, he walked away, leaving Adam stunned.
Adam couldn’t understand what had changed. Something wasn’t right, and he needed answers. So, instead of going to the movies, he followed Kevin home, determined to find out the truth.
When Kevin arrived at his small, run-down house, Adam stepped forward. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on. Does this have anything to do with my dad? Did he come talk to you?”
Kevin sighed. “It’s about both of our dads. It’s better if you stay out of it.”
“Tell me the truth, and I will. I know about what happened with your dad at my dad’s company, and—”
“You don’t know everything,” Kevin interrupted. His voice cracked. “I lost my mom because of what happened.”
Adam’s eyes widened. “You what?”
Kevin nodded, tears welling in his eyes. “Dad needed money for Mom’s surgery. She had heart disease. He worked extra shifts, but it wasn’t enough, and we didn’t have insurance. So… he tried to steal money. He got caught. He was fired. And that was it.”
Adam swallowed hard.
“Mom died, and Dad had to take whatever job he could find. He ended up working in a factory. A few weeks ago, he got into an accident there, and now he needs surgery. If he doesn’t get it, he won’t be able to walk again. But we don’t have the money, and I don’t know what to do. So now you know, Adam. Please just go. My dad’s coming home from the hospital today, and I don’t want him to see you here. Your dad hates him. Let’s just stop being friends.”
Adam left Kevin’s house that day, but he couldn’t just ignore what he had learned. He knew Kevin’s dad had been wrong to steal, but he also understood why he did it. More than anything, Adam wanted to help.
So he came up with a plan.
Without telling anyone, Adam took a part-time job at a grocery store. He worked as a cleaner, mopping floors and wiping down shelves, all to earn enough money to help Kevin’s family.
At home, he told his father he was out playing basketball. But lies have a way of catching up.
One day, Steve stopped by the grocery store—and saw his son mopping the floor.
“Adam!” Steve bellowed, his face red with anger. “What the hell are you doing here? Why are you cleaning floors? Have you been lying about basketball?”
“Dad?” Adam stammered. “I—I was just trying to help!”
“Get in the car. Now!”
The moment they got inside, Steve exploded. “Is this your idea of playing basketball? What’s going on, Adam? You don’t need to work! What are you doing here?”
“I’m helping Kevin,” Adam said firmly. “His dad needs surgery, and I don’t want to repeat your mistakes!”
Steve narrowed his eyes. “My mistakes?”
“Yeah, Dad. You let your anger blind you to what Patrick was going through. You let him suffer without even considering why he did what he did. And now his family is struggling, and Kevin is hurting. I didn’t want to sit back and do nothing.”
Steve was speechless. His son’s words hit him hard. He had spent so much time being resentful that he had forgotten to be human first.
“You’re right, Adam,” Steve said finally. “Thanks for making me realize I was wrong. You don’t have to work here anymore. I have a better way to help.”
That evening, Steve and Adam visited Kevin’s house. When Kevin saw them at the door, he immediately tensed. “What do you want? We don’t need your pity!”
“Kevin, that’s no way to treat guests!” Patrick called from inside. “Come in, Steve.”
Steve placed an envelope on the table. “Patrick, I was wrong. I should have been more understanding. Maybe if I had been, things would have been different. This is to help with your surgery.”
Patrick shook his head. “Steve, I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t accept this. I was wrong, and—”
“Two wrongs don’t make a right, Patrick. My son reminded me of that. Our boys are wiser than we were at their age. Let’s not let the past ruin their future.”
In the end, Patrick accepted the money, and the two men made peace.
As for Kevin and Adam? They remained best friends, proving that true friendship isn’t about where you come from—it’s about standing by each other through thick and thin.
