01/16/2025
NEIGHBOR ASKED MY SON TO WASH HIS CAR FOR A MONTH, THEN REFUSED TO PAY โ I TAUGHT HIM A LESSON ABOUT BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
My 14-year-old son, Ben, came home one evening looking upset. He had spent the last month washing our neighbor Mr. Peterson's black Jeep. Mr. Peterson, a businessman who adores his fancy cars, had promised Ben $50 per wash โ a big deal for a 14-year-old.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"He didn't pay me," Ben mumbled, dropping onto the couch.
"What do you mean? Didn't he agree to pay $50 each time?"
Ben sighed. "Yeah, but today, after I finished the fourth wash, he said it wasn't 'spotless' and that I wouldn't get paid. He said I should have done a better job if I wanted my money."
Anger boiled inside me. Mr. Peterson had always acted superior, but this was low.
"You washed it every week, right?"
Ben nodded. "Yeah, and spent hours on it."
"How much does he owe you?"
"$200." I handed Ben $200 from my wallet.
"Here. You earned it. But don't worry, I'm not done with him."
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.โฌ๏ธ