My Husband Kicked Me and Our Three Kids Out, So I Knocked on the First Door I Saw and Asked for a Job — Story of the Day

My husband left my children and me and we had to go somewhere with nowhere to stay and no friends to help us. I was shivering from the cold, scared and had no choice but to knock on a random door and seek work. That moment, I never guessed, would turn everything upside down for me, my children and the person in that room.

It was extremely difficult to be a mother to many children. Looking after so many children alone was much more difficult than it would have been with support. Some days, it really felt like I was holding the world up all on my own.
I gave my children all my love and did my best to give them the most wonderful childhood.

I told them stories at bedtime, made their favorite dishes, helped them with homework and put Band-Aids on their cuts.

My energy would sometimes give out and I didn’t have anyone’s help to lean on.
Because my parents had died, I missed them each and every day. If they were here, I know they would have helped me or carefully listened. I did not have anyone around.

My husband treated Henry and Beth as if they were only my children, not his also.

“My role is to bring in the financing. “That’s far enough,” was how he always expressed it. I realized that giving money wasn’t enough for kids. They really wanted a father to show love by holding them, affirming them and spending time with them.
I have spent many years trying to tell Henry about this place. I tried begging, crying and being silent. Nothing worked.

All my hopes seemed to shatter and tumble upon a cold stone. He never realized what wonderful children we had.
There was no greater joy to me than my children Tom, Hailey and little Michael. But he would just ignore them again and again.
“Dad! I got first place with my project at the fair!” He burst through the front door yelling out loud.

He was looking very cheerful and radiated happiness. He took out a big poster and pinned some blue ribbons to the top of it.

Henry was sitting on the couch holding the TV remote. He did not even glimpse behind him. “Hmmm,” he whispered, looking straight at the game.
At that moment, Tom stood still, lowered the poster and kept walking without saying another thing.

Hailey skipped into the room a few minutes after that. She was smiling so hard her cheeks turned red with excitement. “I just heard from the dance coach and she said I was the best student at class today!” she told her father.

The king made a slight shrug. “Yeah.”
That was the conclusion. Hailey’s happiness decreased. She went silently to her room.

Michael walked in after that, holding a piece of paper. “Dad, I drew us!” he showed it to me happily.

Henry glanced at what was written, then threw it away into the bin without even reading it.
I was watching the moment it happened. I threw up inside, but I did not cry out. I kept wishing that he would improve.

People believed kids needed a father. But what if a father was nobody special but a person living with his family, like any other neighbor?

Later that day, Hailey came looking very upset. She looked flushed and her body shook.
Darling, I want to know what took place. I hugged her by putting her down on my lap.

She used a tissue to clear her nose. “Dad told me to stop eating if I want to have fun dancing.”

I froze. What did he actually say?

She looked down and nodded. He told me I would be growing much bigger in the next few weeks.
I hugged her even closer. “My dear, you are becoming more grown-up every day.” It is important to give your body food. This is the way you become strong. Those are the steps of how you dance.

She smiled and slightly nodded her head.

Have fun when you’re playing. I want to have a conversation with your dad. She made her way to the kids’ room and I continued to the living room. He was sitting on the couch watching a game at the time.
“Our daughter was told by you that she is fat?” I asked.

He would not look at me. “No. I told her that eating like that will make her get fat.

She turned seven this year. I said. What on earth is going on with you?

“She really eats a lot,” he answered.
“You are too strange for anyone to understand! She feeds and eats in the same way as other children her age.”

She is a girl. A woman in the future. She should worry about the way she looks.

She is simply a child—she is not capable of a legal commitment. No one is entitled to her apology or explanation.”

“You don’t use them for anything,” was what he said.
“Really? Are you sure how old your children are these days? Their birthdays? What is their passion?”

This should always be a focus of your job. You are the person in charge. You are responsible for raising them.

And you are the one who gave these people life. That has a meaning!”

I couldn’t remain silent: “I’m totally finished with this!” “Get out! Get your kids out with you! You all are absolutely useless!”
Are you actually joking? I said.

“Yes! Out! I don’t ever want to see you here again!”

He walked upstairs and came down with my clothes all packed into garbage bags. They were tossed at my feet by him.

“What have you got your eyes on?” he asked sharply. “You should also get started on packing for the kids.”
It shocked me completely. Everything inside me was shaking and my heart was pounding hard.

How was it possible to live so long together with him? This monster. He did not lose his temper by shouting. He did not make a noise that could be confused with screaming.

He gathered our things and pushed us out, as if we were nobody. As if they did not matter even close to his own children.
A little over two hours had gone by when we were all standing outside with Tom, Hailey and their son, Michael. The bags were resting on the ground by our sides. It turned out Henry had my house keys.

But where is it that we are supposed to go? I whispered my question to see how happened.

“I am not involved,” was his reply. Anthony put the door key in the lock and shut the door.
Michael pulled on my shirt. His tears were are falling down his face. “Dad, what caused Dad to send us away?”

I got down and brought all three of them near me. I said to them in a whisper, “don’t worry, things will turn out ok.” “It will all turn out fine.”

I was with nowhere to turn. I looked into my wallet one more time, already knowing it was empty.
Few bills and a pile of coins — it’s far short of the money to get a cheap night’s rest somewhere. A sense of coldness in my hands wasn’t caused only by the rain. I had three kids without anywhere to keep them safe.

All that remained was to try with Mr. Wilson. The mansion which was huge, was where he lived alone.

They all thought his wealth was curious and unusual. He never showed a smile to anyone. It was never possible to see him at all.
I told them, “We’re off to see Mr. Wilson.”

There was an obvious look of surprise on Tom’s face as his eyes got bigger. I will not go even if everyone tells me to. Students often report that he eats youngsters at the school!

I answered, “It’s really just gossip.” But I sensed they were afraid as we went along.
I got to the tall gate and rang the bell. A buzzer sounded and soon a singer-like voice called out, “Who is this?”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Wilson. Violet is my name and I am one of your neighbors. Would you happen to have any work that I could do for you?”

“No workers are required here,” he explained quickly.

“Please. I really need support for my children and myself.”

“No!” was his reply. Then there was no more speaking for some time.
I didn’t have any idea what to do. I was full of tightness and wished I could cry, scream or just run.

When I paused and saw my children, I decided I had to keep calm. I was expected to be strong though I sometimes felt ready to collapse.

I went and ran my hand along the gate. It turned out the door was not locked. We moved inside the building bit by bit.
The yard was very untidy. Dried-up leaves were spread everywhere. Waste was spread all over the area.

Weeds were coming through the spaces between the stones. I checked the surroundings and picked something in a hurry.

Perhaps if I got the yard tidy, Mr. Wilson would know I was willing to contribute. Somehow, maybe he would let us remain.
I bent myself down and started collecting the leaves. Tom, Hailey and Michael came along with me.

A sense of hard work was present without anyone actually saying anything. It made me feel very good. After I had tidied the yard, I noticed the roses.

They were dying and very dry. I picked up the garden shears that I had found.
“STOP! Touching the roses is forbidden,” shouted the loud voice as it came through the door. I wheeled around as fast as I could. Mr. Wilson just stared at me where I was standing.

I said, “I apologize.” I could hardly hear my own voice because it was trembling. All I wanted to do was to help out. All of the roses were looking very ill. I believed I could repair them.”

He would keep focusing his attention on me. Then he turned to look at my children at my back.
He looked different than he did before. His eyebrows came down, but his eyes seemed soft.

“You may come and stay,” he finally answered. There is job availability here. Still, there are guidelines in place for this.

I nodded. “Yes. Of course.”

“Do not pick the roses.” Make sure the children are nicely quiet. I am not fond of noise.”
”Don’t worry, they aren’t going to bother you,” I told her. You’ll hardly notice they are installed.

“I certainly hope so,” he said softly. He spun around and went indoors without adding any extra words.

My employment with Mr. Wilson began immediately that day. He told us the area where we would find beds.
We all lived in separate small rooms. Although the house was quite old, the rooms were warm and the surfaces were clean.

I expressed my gratitude to him continously. I did not think we would receive kindness from a complete stranger.

I put in a lot of effort every single day. I got into each and every corner of the home to clean. I cooked plain dishes.
I cleaned the clothes and swept all the floors. I got rid of weeds and watered the plants in the yard. I kept the children from making noise. I was not hoping to upset Mr. Wilson.

However, something new happened after that. He stepped out and sat down where the children were playing. He had conversations with them. He actually showed a smile.

We sat together at the table with him one evening. Tom helped Markwood carve blocks of wood, Michael offered him paints to color with and Markwood always supported Hailey after her dances. He gave them much more affection than Henry ever did.
It felt very painful for me to keep my feelings inside. After the children were in bed one night, I went out onto the porch and sat down.

My eyes were set to cry no matter what I tried. They came quite fast, powerfully and rather uncomfortably. I was trying not to let out a noise, but I did anyway and Mr. Wilson appeared right away. He had a cup of tea in his hands.

He studied me for a little while. “What took place?” he wanted to know.
I wiped off my tears. “I’m sorry. I wanted to mention this without being a disturbance.

“I’m not being bothered by this,” he replied. Let me know what the problem is.

And I confessed everything to him. I explained Henry to him. He was so freezing. How he didn’t pay attention to the kids.
He sent us away as if we were nothing. I told him what it was like when fear about my future kept me up at night alone.

He sat silent for a short while after I had finished. Next he inquired, “Did you go through with the divorce?”

I answered, “No.” There is no way I can manage a lawyer right now. I must be conscious, because Henry could get everything if I let him. I could possibly lose my children too.
His head nodded as he said this. He said, “It’s been a long time since I had a job.” I’m not alone, because I have friends. I still have links with others. I am here to aid you.

“Thank you!” I said. I was feeling so affectionate that I gave him a hug right on the spot.

His movements stopped and he ever so gently patted my back. He didn’t look absolutely sure, yet he didn’t get away.
Once I asked for a divorce, Henry started sending me upset messages. He told me it would be me who lost.

He told me there was nothing for me. Proceedings in the court went ahead. Things started improving for me little by little.

But at the morning of the final hearing, there was a development. Tom burst into the house sobbing.
“Mom!” was what he said. I didn’t mean to, but I cut all the roses down.

“What?” I asked. A sudden rush went through my heart.

His only thought had been to help. “I did not mean to do that!”

Wilson came outside to face the crowd. He saw Tom and his face got bright red. “Why did you do that?” he demanded. I requested that very thing. I only need one thing!”
Tom felt so much sadness and started crying.

I said, “I’m so sorry.” Tom is also a wonderful example.

“I am so sorry,” Tom choked out as tears ran.

He remained where he was. He squeezed the lacrosse stick hard in his hands. Then his expression became more tender. He sighed.
“That’s all right,” he said. Shops will try to convince you that they are ordinary flowers.
He gazed at me. It was my wife who planted all the trees.” Your husband and I were at the same level. All of my focus was on my job and I ignored both my wife and my son. When that time came, things looked good to me, but I regret them much more today.

I told them, “You still have time to make things right again.”
He answered, “There is nothing we can do about it now.”

I said, “No.” As soon as you’re alive, there’s still time. Children are always ready to wait.

She gave him a short nod and he checked his watch. “Let’s hit the road. The hearing is about to begin right now.”
I was found to be right. The judge considered all the information given. He realized how Henry acted around Jonathan, Olivia and me.

At the conclusion of the case, Henry had to start making child support payments. It was a large part of how much he earned in a year.

He seemed absolutely amazed. I was given the name and half of the house. Instead of managing the business alone, I thought it would make more sense to sell and get a fresh start with the money.

After the hearing was over, Henry came out with me. His complexion was bright red. He angrily said I would not be happy with what I have done.
I took hold of the children’s hands. We rushed to where Mr. Wilson had his car. He started the engine and we set out without even glancing in the rear.

After we got back to the house, Mr. Wilson got out of the car and walked with me. He appeared to be calm, but his eyes were very thoughtful. He moved over and stood beside where I was.

“You were correct,” said the man. “There is still time for you. I am planning to visit my son. I should try to do it.
I stared at him and smiled back. All the luck in the world for you. Thank you for all the help you have given me.”

He moved his head from side to side. No, you have my thanks. I was reminded by you of the important things.

Then he came up to me and softly touched my back. We stood for a moment without saying anything.