“I’m sorry, Mom,” he sobbed into her shoulder. “I was being stupid. I’m so sorry.”
His mother—Mary—turned to me, still holding her child.
“Thank you,” she said shakily.
“Thank you for bringing him back. I didn’t know what to think when I found his note.
I’ve been calling everyone, driving around looking for him…”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I had teenagers once, too.”
“Please,” Mary said, “at least let me make you a cup of coffee before you go.”
“I’ll take a rain check,” I said with a smile.
“I’ve got deliveries to make.
But how about a picture instead? Something to remind this young man to think twice before running away AND hitching rides with strangers again.”
Alex actually smiled at that. Mary took the picture of him and me on her phone, then insisted on writing down my name and company information.
I stupidly forgot to tell her that my company had a strict no-hitchhikers policy, and unfortunately, Mary made a Facebook post thanking me that went viral.
So, a week later, when my boss, Mr.
Luther, called me into his office, I was sure I was sacked.
I walked in there, feeling the sweat down my back.
But he was smiling from ear to ear. “Jules, our viral star!” he exclaimed and congratulated me on raising the profile of the company.
When he invited me to sit, I remained quiet.
This was not what I expected.
“Honestly, Jules,” he said, getting serious. “You’ve been one of our best drivers for years.
This story just proves what we already knew about you.
That is why I’d like to offer you a promotion. I think you have a leader potential, so I believe the position of logistics manager is perfect for you. You’ll have to relocate or commute to the city, but it’s more than double the pay and much better hours.”
I couldn’t believe it.
After all these years of midnight runs and missed moments, I finally got the chance to have normal hours.
Even if this opportunity came slightly late, it meant that I would be able to see my kids graduating from college, get married, help with my grandbabies (or grand-furbabies if needed), and more.
Sometimes the best turns in life come from following your heart instead of the rules.
I helped that boy get back to his mom, and maybe altered his perspective of life. But he and his mom had unknowingly helped me much more.
