“What’s going on here?”
Mike looked at me. “Ma’am, do you know this boy?”
“Yes, he’s my stepson. What’s happening?”
“We found him using counterfeit money,” Mike explained.
“Oh no, there must be a mistake!” I said, pleading.
“Please, he’s a good kid. Can’t we sort this out?”
Jake looked at me with wide, teary eyes. “Please, Lisa, help me!”
Mike hesitated, then sighed.
“Alright, since it’s his first offense, I’ll let him go with a warning. But next time, there will be serious consequences.”
“Thank you, Officer,” I said, feigning relief.
Jake hugged me tightly. “Thank you, thank you!
I’ll never do anything like this again, I promise.”
We left the café, and once we were a safe distance away, I showed Jake the video.
“Jake, if you continue to behave like this, I’ll show this video to all your friends.”
Jake’s face fell. “You… you did this?”
“Yes, and it was for your own good. You need to understand that your actions have consequences.”
“I’m sorry, Lisa.
I really am,” Jake said, looking genuinely remorseful.
From that day on, Jake’s behavior changed. He started helping around the house, treated Emma and Noah with respect, and even apologized to them.
“Hey, Emma, Noah, want to play a game?” Jake asked one evening.
“Sure!” Emma replied, surprised but happy.
Mark noticed the change too. “Jake’s different lately.
What did you do?”
“Just gave him a little wake-up call,” I said with a smile.
