An Hour’ s Worth
70.
Jack stared out of his bedroom window with wide eyes.“ Daddy is home!” he exclaimed aloud. He ran to the door and greeted his father with his arms wide open. His father’ s arms full with dirty equipment did not hug Jack hello. Jack’ s father gave him a nod as he walked by him. Jack’ s arms slowly fell by his side and whispered,“ Hi Dad”.
All Jack wants is to feel loved by his father. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wanted to be loved by someone? Jack’ s father loved him very much, but did not show him very often. Some parents do that with their children. Some adults forget how to love.
Jack lowered his head slowly by quickly raised it with a new idea! He ran into the kitchen where his father was making a sandwich.“ Dad, how much do you make an hour at work?”“ Jack. That is none of your business” his father stated.
" But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour?” the boy insisted.“ Jack. I just told …”“ Dad. PLEASE!”“ Twenty-‐ Eight. I make twenty-‐ eight dollars and hour. Now why do you want to know?”
“ Can I borrow fourteen dollars?” asked Jack. His father stared at him a moment.“ Why?” his father asked.“ I can’ t tell you” Jack replied.“ Then I can’ t let you borrow the money” his father stated. Jack’ s head lowered once again.“ Now wash up for bed” has father said in a tired voice.
Jack slowly walked up the stairs to brush his teeth. His father watched in confusion.“ Why was he so upset” his father thought. After a moment, his father followed him upstairs with his wallet in his hand.
“ Here you go” Jack’ s dad said handing him fourteen dollars. But Jack did not take it. Jack ran into his room and came back with fourteen dollars in change.
“ I’ ve been saving up all the loose change I have found around the house.” Jack said in an excited voice.“ Here you go”. Jack put the jar of change in his Dad’ s hand.
“ Dad, can I buy an hour of your time?” Jack asked in a sweet and desperate voice.
Jack’ s father’ s confusion turned into a moment of clarity. His Dad said in return,“ How about two?” He hugged his son tightly and spoke,“ Thank you. Thank you for reminding me what is important. I love you son.”“ I love you too Dad” Jack said with a smile.
“ Dad” said Jack.“ Yes” said his dad.“ Does this mean I can keep the money?” The both laughed.“ Yes Jack. You can keep the money” his dad said with a smile.