When 15-year-old Luke rudely berated a near-blind bakery worker, his father, Steve, overheard and chose to teach him respect. A summer job and an apology led Luke to not only make amends but also change the worker’s life for the better.
Steve Morrison’s success as a lawyer ensured his son, Luke, wanted for nothing, but Luke grew entitled, taking his privilege lightly. One day, after school, Steve got a call from his partner, Morris, about a pressing case. He parked near a bakery to talk, sorting through files. “Morris, is the client coming today?” he asked. Luke, impatient, broke in, “Dad, I’m starving! Can I go to the bakery?” Steve, engrossed, shushed him, but Luke complained about his mom’s healthy cooking and boredom. Exasperated, Steve handed him cash, warning, “No peanuts—you’re allergic.” Luke hurried inside.
At the counter, Madison greeted him warmly. “Hi! What can I get you?” Luke, eyes on his phone, snapped, “Two cinnamon rolls, chocolate frappé. Make it quick.” Madison, partially blind, mixed up a cream bun with one roll. “Frappé’s on the way,” she said. Luke shouted, “I ordered two rolls! Are you stupid?” Madison apologized, “I’ll fix it, I didn’t see—” Luke interrupted, “Just do it!” She returned with the correct order, verified by a coworker, and said, “It’s $10.” Luke tossed money down and left. Steve, who’d followed, witnessed Luke’s cruelty and knew it was time for a lesson.
Outside, Steve asked, “Got what you wanted?” Luke griped, “Yeah, but their staff’s awful. That Madison screwed up and blamed her blindness.” He moved to vacation plans, but Steve said, “You’re working at a diner this summer, one month.” Luke whined, “That’s ridiculous!” Steve offered: work or lose Netflix and freedom. Luke grudgingly agreed. At the diner, his boss, Mr. Duncan, was tough. When Luke ignored orders and added tomatoes to a burger, Mr. Duncan fired him. Luke told Steve, “I was wrong to snap at Madison. Work’s hard.” Steve said, “Apologize to her. Don’t judge people by their job or struggles.”
Luke said sorry to Madison and joined the bakery part-time, becoming her friend. He learned she painted beautifully despite her vision loss. “Why not paint full-time?” he asked. “It’s hard with my eyes,” she said. “Surgery’s expensive, and I need this job.” Luke asked Steve to cover her surgery. Proud, Steve agreed. After Madison’s surgery, Steve helped her get a design job at an art gallery through a contact. Madison thrived, and Luke discovered that kindness and respect can create ripples of change, starting with his own transformation.
