Man Returns from Long Business Trip, Hears His Son Calling Neighbor ‘Dad’ – Story of the Day

A busy man returns home from a long business trip, then realizes the harm his work has done to his family—he hears his son call their handsome neighbor 'Dad.'

Terry was such a busy man that most people couldn't imagine him having a family. That's because people give time to their loved ones, and Terry was so busy all year round that he didn't even have time to relax!

Terry was the CEO of a million-dollar firm, which he'd built from the ground up. Meetings, investors, and tight schedules made up most of his life, so he had no idea what was happening to his wife and child behind his back. He didn't have time for them!

One morning, Terry took a flight from Boston to New York, where his family lived. But he hadn't intended on meeting them. He had decided to head right to his office until he met a couple in the waiting lounge…

Terry was on his way to New York after a six-month-long business trip. He had arrived early and was at a Starbucks in the waiting lounge when he noticed a chirpy family beside him.

They seemed happy. The boy was playing board games with his parents while they waited for the flight, and Terry felt a pang of guilt after thinking how long it had been since he had spent quality time with his family.

"It's surprising how your kid is not on an Ipad. Who plays board games these days?" he blurted out, and the couple looked at him immediately.

"I'm sorry," he said, realizing his comment was harsh. "I… I shouldn't have said that."

But the man smiled. "Board games are better for bonding with your children, and we don't want our child to fall into the dark world of computer games and gadgets!" he said. "Why become a parent if you can't spend time with your kid, right?"

Right, thought Terry. And I'm a horrible parent.

"We're heading to New York since it's our son's summer break. My parents live there, and it's been a while since we met them. I'm Harry," added the man, extending his hand for a shake. "And this is my wife, Carla, and son, Tim."

"Beautiful family," Terry said, shaking hands with him. "I'm Terry. I'm heading to New York, too… to meet my family! Yes! I'm planning to actually," he checked his wristwatch, "surprise my son by picking him up from school."

"I bet he's gonna love it," replied the man. "All the best."

No gold, diamonds, or wealth will make you as happy as your family.

Terry had not intended to pick Damian up from school, nor was he planning to visit his family, but the encounter with this happy family had changed his mind. He thought Damian would be delighted to see him!

So after Terry's flight landed at JFK, he hired a cab and went straight to Damian's school. He had arrived just in time and saw a stream of students pouring out the front gate.

"Hey, champ!" Terry waved to Damian, but the boy didn't see it. He noticed Damian running up to a tall, attractive man and hugging him, then calling him "Dad." Terry knew the man. He was their neighbor, Joe.

Terry's heart sank. Was his wife planning on divorcing him? Had Damian and Alice decided he wasn't fit to be a part of their lives? Were they going to leave him forever?

Slightly agitated and teary-eyed, Terry grabbed a cab and hurried home. He unlocked the front door and sank onto the couch before Alice appeared in the living room.

"Oh God!" she gasped. "I didn't know you were coming home! Is the trip over finally?"

"Are you sad that I'm here?" snarled Terry. "Are you so happy with our neighbor that you don't need me? I won't ask anything else and walk away from your lives if you tell me the truth, Alice."

"Terry!" she cried. "What are you talking about?"

"I wanted to surprise Damian and pick him up from school, and I saw Joe there! Damian called Joe 'Dad!' Is he a better father to Damian? Is Joe better in bed? Are you and Joe having an affair?"

"Terry! You're out of your mind! There's nothing like that. How could you even think I would cheat on you?"

"Then why is Damian calling Joe 'Dad?' Do you have an explanation for that? Oh, Alice, you better tell me you do! I may not have been the best husband, but…" Terry broke down into tears as he continued.

"I don't deserve to be cheated on! I love you, Alice, and I love our boy. All those business trips and work… I'm doing all this for you guys. I don't want to lose my family. I don't want Damian to hate me."

"Jesus, Terry! Get yourself together!" cried Alice. "I'm not cheating on you, and Damian doesn't hate you! The thing is… Damian had a school event… Some sort of family day, and I wasn't well, so I couldn't attend. Damian was very sad, so I asked Joe to do us a favor."

"He went to Damian's school as his dad, and you know… actually, you may not know, but Damian and Joe have a great bond. Anyway, nobody's ever seen you at Damian's school, so they wouldn't guess Joe isn't his dad."

"While you're busy on business trips, he takes Damian to movies and football matches. They are great friends, and Joe can never take your place. But it's also true that sometimes we miss you…We miss going on family trips, and we miss you at home."

Terry sniffed. "So you're not divorcing me?"

"I will if you don't stop crying, Terry!" said Alice stiffly. "Wipe your tears! Damian will be home any minute! You can at least surprise him now! He misses you more than I do."

Terry nodded and hugged his wife. "Sorry," he told her. "I love you. I love you a lot."

"Me too," she said, holding him close in her arms. "More than you know."

When Damian returned home, Terry surprised him, and the boy was delighted to see his dad. Terry thanked Joe for helping his family and decided he would never put his work before the lovely family God had blessed him with.

What can we learn from this story?

• No gold, diamonds, or wealth will make you as happy as your family. Terry realized he was wrong to prioritize his work over his family after he returned home and found his son calling his neighbor "Dad."
• Parents must make time for their children. Joe and Damian had a great bond, and he appreciated the time he spent with the little boy. Terry realized he had been missing out on his son's life and decided he would become a better father.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who returned home early from a business trip on Christmas, only to find his family gone without a trace.

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