My Dad Finished Repairing My Boss’s Pool and Was Refused Payment, Then One Look at the Water Told Him Exactly What to Do

Then shook his head.

“You still shouldn’t do the right thing because you expect a reward.”

“I agree.”

“If you start calculating what honesty might produce, it stops being honesty.”

He looked through the windshield.

“You do the right thing because it’s right.”

“And then sometimes good things happen.”

“Sometimes.”

He smiled slightly.

“Not always.”

Then he added:

“But sometimes.”

A few minutes later, my phone rang.

Richard.

I almost ignored it.

Then I answered.

“Julie.”

“Yes?”

“I need you to know that what Melissa said about your employment was inappropriate.”

I stayed quiet.

“Your position here depends only on your performance. And your performance has been excellent.”

“I appreciate you saying that.”

Richard paused.

Then:

“Your father is very thorough.”

I glanced toward Dad.

“Yes.”

“I underestimated how thorough.”

“Yes.”

“I won’t again.”

He wished me goodnight and ended the call.