“My Mom’s Boss Mocked Her — So I Taught Him a Lesson He’ll Never Forget”

Although I had always been taught to respect adults, no one had ever explained to me what to do in situations where adults failed to show respect for one another. I decided some lessons couldn’t wait until maturity after seeing my mom’s supervisor make fun of her clothes from the thrift store.

Since my mom and I were the only ones growing up, we worked together. I was her biggest admirer, and she was both captain and MVP.

Prior to my birth, my mother had been employed at RSD Financial as a secretary. She would meticulously iron her clothing, apply makeup, and leave the house each morning with a grin that concealed her true level of exhaustion.

After kissing my forehead and saying, “Liam, there’s dinner in the fridge,” mom would go. “And don’t forget your maths homework!”

We were by no means wealthy. The majority of my wardrobe was sourced from the same secondhand shops where Mom got her business attire, and our flat was tiny.

But because she magically worked magic on a secretary’s pay, I never felt like I was missing anything.

She gave me the laptop I had been coveting for months as a surprise on my thirteenth birthday.

“How did you afford this?” I questioned incredulously.

She gave a wink. Since last year, I’ve been saving a bit every week. You deserve that for your grades.

She had taken on weekend filing work to make it possible, but I was unaware of this at the time.

My mother was like that. Someone who offered all without expecting anything in return. After ten-hour workdays, she would come home, assist me with my homework, and then remain up late to deal with bills or fix clothes.

On occasion, I would discover her dozing off at the kitchen table with her budget notebook and calculator still open.

It would be “Mom, you should rest more,” I would say.

She would merely grin. “I’ll rest when you’re in college, kiddo.”

I believed that everything in our lives was going well. Yes, finances were tight, but we made it work. I tried not to complain, and Mom never did.

We worked well together.

Until the day I heard her on the phone with Grandma.

I heard her voice as I was making my way to the kitchen for a bite. She had a new voice.

Only a small amount of light was leaking into the hallway from her bedroom, which had the door almost closed.

She said, “I don’t know how much longer I can take it, Mom,” in a catching voice. He joked about my blazer in front of everyone today. claimed that I should be thankful that I even had a job because I look like a joke with my clothing from the thrift store.”

She was in tears. My mother was crying into the phone; I think I’ve seen her weep maybe twice in my life.

“No, I am unable to give up. I can’t, you know. With Liam’s education fund to consider and my abilities, there aren’t many other jobs that pay this well.”

I forgot about my hunger while I stood motionless. I had a constricted chest, as if my heart were being squeezed.

“He said if I wanted to be treated like a professional, I should dress like one, not like I’m ‘digging through clearance bins.'” She hesitated. “But, Mom, I’m searching through clearance bins. How else should I proceed?

My fists began to clench. Even though I didn’t know him, I detested him at the time. How could he possibly make my mother feel this way?

I kept a closer eye on her at supper that evening. I hadn’t noticed her shoulders’ little stoop before. The way her hair was always tucked behind her ear.

“Mom?” At last, I enquired. “Is everything okay at work?”

She appeared shocked, but she soon regained her composure. “Sure, honey. Why are you asking?

“I… I heard you earlier on the phone. conversing with Grandma.

Before she recovered with a smile that stopped short of her eyes, her face drooped a little. “Oh, it didn’t matter. Just a difficult day. There are them in every job.

“But your boss… he said things about your clothes?”

She put down her fork with a groan. “Liam, rude things are occasionally said in the adult world. It is irrelevant.

“Why do you let him talk to you like that?”

“Because sometimes being strong means staying silent,” she added with a simple smile. But honey, don’t worry. I’m all right.

“One day,” I replied, “I’ll make him regret treating you like this.”

She ruffled my hair and chuckled. “Promise me you won’t do anything silly, okay?”

I said I would. I lied, though.

For the next two weeks, I kept a close eye on Mom. She would check the price tags on everything at the grocery store, she would mend her work heels rather than buy new ones,

and she would return home with her eyes tired but her grin ready—all of which were things I had never seen before.

I would watch her face every night as she came in, looking for clues that she was having a tough day.

“How was work?” started to question me every day.

“All right, my love. She would respond, “Just the usual,” although occasionally her smile would pause for a brief moment.

That Friday, Mom arrived home with an envelope in her hand.

I said, “What’s that?”

“An invitation,” she murmured with a startled tone. “The yearly awards dinner for the company. All employees are invited to Richard’s leadership award ceremony.

“Are you going?”

She gave a swift shake of her head. “People like me aren’t actually the target audience for those events. The executives and their families are supposed to flaunt them.

“But it says all staff, right?”

“Liam, I would simply feel uncomfortable. Besides, we could have a movie night instead,” she said with a smile. I’ll prepare your preferred chicken parmesan dish.

My mind made a connection. “No, mother. You ought to leave.

“Why? You adore our movie evenings.

“Because,” I clarified, “you also work there.” You are deserving of inclusion.

Mom chuckled quietly. “Since when did you get so interested in corporate functions?”

I insisted, “I just think you should go,” “Show them you belong there as much as anyone.”

I kept the fact that I had recognised Richard’s last name from the invitation a secret. Zoe, his daughter, attended my school.

Everyone knew who she was, even though she was a year older and belonged to different groups. When her father donated to the school, the principal always made a great deal out of it.

Mom groaned and said, “I don’t know, Liam,” “I don’t have anything appropriate to wear to something like this.”

I assured them, “We’ll figure it out,” “Mom, please? For me?”

After giving me an inquisitive glance, she nodded. “All right. For you.

During study hall the following morning, I came across Zoe in the library.

I walked over to her table, my heart racing.

“Excuse me, Zoe?” Embarrassingly, my voice broke.

Confused, she raised her head from her textbook. “Yes?”

“May I speak with you for a moment? It’s crucial.

She shrugged after glancing at her pals. “I guess.”

We strolled to a peaceful section of the library. I inhaled deeply.

“Isn’t your father Richard? from RSD Financial.

“Yes. “Why?”

“My mother is employed by him. Wilson, Martha? She works as his secretary.

“Oh. Alright. She turned away.

I said, “He’s been making fun of her,” without thinking. “In front of the office staff. regarding her attire and other belongings.”

Zoe paused. “What?”

“She saves money for my education fund by purchasing her work outfits from secondhand shops. Additionally, your dad jokes about it. causes her to feel unworthy.

Zoe’s face turned red. “My dad wouldn’t do that.”

“He does,” I demanded. “There’s this awards dinner coming up—”

My biggest risk was this. I had programmed Mom’s phone to automatically record all of her calls after I had overheard her on the phone that evening. Yes, it was a violation of privacy, but I needed proof badly.

Richard’s voice filled the void between us as I hit play.

“Martha,” he said. “You might want to buy somewhere other than the Goodwill cheap section if you’re going to represent this office. You appear to be dressing up in someone else’s clothing.

Zoe was looking pale. She seems truly surprised. “I… I didn’t know.”

Simply, “Now you do,” I said. “Will you help me?”

“What do you want me to do?”

My mental plan was fully developed at that point.

The awards dinner night finally arrived. We bought a navy blue dress at a consignment store, and Mom looked stunning in it. She had changed it herself for hours.

I got into my one decent clothing and called the Uber I had been saving for weeks to pay for as soon as Mom’s car vanished down the street.

I had only ever seen the upscale hotel where the event was being held from the outside. I clutched my rucksack as I entered through the rotating door, my stomach in knots.

As promised, Zoe was waiting in the foyer, looking uneasy in her clothing.

She mumbled, “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” upon seeing me. “I managed to record something Dad said about your mum.”

She then played the tape of Richard telling one of his employers that, in fact, Mom had saved the business several times while he was away on vacation. He even said that he didn’t see Mom’s potential and didn’t want to elevate her to a managerial position.

Saying, “Thanks for helping,” “Really.”

She gave a rigid nod. “As you requested, I spoke with the AV guy. He believes that this contributes to Dad’s surprise.

We sneaked through a side door into the ballroom. A throng of well-dressed individuals gathered around tables with ornate centrepieces. I saw Mom right away, seated by herself at a table in the back, as if she wished she could just vanish.

Zoe muttered, “There’s my dad,” indicating a tall man wearing a pricey suit who was laughing loudly with a group of similarly well-dressed individuals.

Richard appeared just how I had pictured him. slick and arrogant. I steadied myself even though my hands began to shake.

“Where’s the AV booth?” I enquired.

Zoe gestured towards a tiny booth at the rear of the space. “Remember what you said. You promised not to embarrass him, just play the tapes.

Sincerely, “I won’t humiliate him,” I stated. “He’s going to humiliate himself.”

After dinner, company executives gave statements to kick off the event. “And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for,” the emcee finally declared. Our very own Mr. Richard was given the Executive Leadership Award.

Richard grinned broadly as he walked to the stage, and the room erupted in applause. From their front-row table, his wife and two small children smiled.

“Thank you, thank you,” he said as he adjusted the amplifier. “Leadership is about setting an example—”

My cue was that. The AV guy hit the button Zoe had previously shown him when I nodded to him.

Richard’s voice burst over the speakers, but it wasn’t the rehearsed speech he had prepared.

“Martha, you might want to go shopping somewhere else than the Goodwill cheap section if you’re going to represent this office. You appear to be dressing up in someone else’s clothing.

“Tell Martha to get the coffee,” said another clip. She’s useful for something, at least.

Following that, “She should be grateful she even has a job with her limited qualifications.”

And lastly, the video that Zoe had surreptitiously captured.

There was a dead silence in the room. Richard recognised his own voice and froze at the platform, his face going pale.

With my heart thumping so loudly that I was certain everyone could hear it, I emerged from behind a column.

“That’s my mum you’re talking about,” I responded, pointing to her seat with a voice that was remarkably steady. “The lady who puts in extra hours without grumbling. The person who keeps track of your schedule and, when you forget, remembers your wife’s birthday.

Mom finally noticed me and got up. “Liam? Why are you here?

I said, “I’m sorry, Mom,” while keeping Richard in my line of sight. “But I couldn’t let him keep treating you this way.”

Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and embarrassment as she began to approach me. “This isn’t appropriate—”

“No,” I said, continuing to gaze at Richard. “The way he addresses you is inappropriate. I went on, speaking directly to her employer, “That’s the woman who keeps your business together.” “The one who perseveres. She is my mother. And your jokes aren’t enough for her.”

All of his superiors gave him wide-eyed stares, and Richard flushed. They weren’t pleased with his performance, I could tell.

Mom came up and took hold of my arm. “We’re going, Liam. At this moment.”

“No, Mom,” I muttered. “You’ve taught me to stand up for what’s right all my life. What I’m doing is that.

Hundreds of eyes were watching us, and the place was still quiet. Then an unforeseen event occurred.

Richard left his position at the podium. He crossed the room gently until he was facing my mother.

The boss then knelt down and apologised in front of my mother. That’s right. in the public eye.

He said, “Martha,” in a husky voice, “I’m so very sorry. I can’t justify the way I’ve treated you. Your son is correct. You are the foundation of our office, and I haven’t treated you with the deference you merit.”

Mom’s hand was still on my arm as she stood motionless.

His words, “Please forgive me,” went on. “I promise things will change.”

After a few minutes of stillness, Mom eventually said something.

“I appreciate your apology, Mr. Richard. Thank you. She spoke quietly yet respectfully.

He stood up, appearing humbled. “On Monday, we’ll discuss this further. Among other things, regarding a long-overdue rise.

I anticipated being grounded till college the following day. Mom set me down at our kitchen table instead.

“What you did was inappropriate and risky,” she said.

I hung my head. “I know.”

“But it was also the bravest thing anyone has ever done for me,” she added, her voice becoming softer.

Startled, I looked up.

“No one has ever stood up for me like that, Liam.” Her eyes were filled with tears. “You shouldn’t have had to, but I’m proud of the young man you’re becoming.”

Mom smiled when she got home the next Monday.

She said, “Richard’s bosses called me in today,” and put her handbag down. “They listened to both recordings. Not only the way Richard talked to me, but also the fact that he acknowledged that I had repeatedly saved the business.”

“And?” I was scarcely able to control myself.

“They offered me a managerial position in the client relations department.” Her eyes glistened. “Liam, my own office. My own group.”

I leaped to my feet and gave her a hug. “Mom, you deserve it! More than everybody else.”

She gave me a hug in return and added, “I start next week,” My eyes widened as she whispered the number in my ear, “And the salary…”

Mom continues to browse at secondhand shops. Now, though, she chooses to do it rather than out of need. She also raises her head slightly every morning when she enters that workplace.

since we are both aware of the reality. Respect has nothing to do with your possessions or attire.

Being accepted for who you truly are is the goal.