Manager Mocks Pregnant Lady of 50, Week Later Changes Her Baby's Diapers as Maid — Story of the Day

A beauty salon manager is frustrated about her life and vents it out on her customer, who turns out to be a 50-year-old pregnant woman. How will she cope when her karma haunts her a week later?

The fancy bell on the entrance chimed, and a smile played on Francesca's lips as she walked into the beauty salon that afternoon. She'd been looking forward to a much-needed pampering session for the past week, and it was finally here.

Since moving to the Big Apple to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, Francesca hadn't visited a single salon! So she rubbed her palms together like an excited kid and approached the receptionist.

"I'm Francesca," she said to the young woman behind the counter. "I have an appointment for noon today."

The receptionist pressed some keys on her computer and grinned. "Mrs. McCarthy. Yes. Please go to the second floor. Our staff is looking forward to providing you with a pleasant experience today. Have a good day."

"You as well, dear," Francesca added. "Thank you so much."

The 50-year-old woman caressed her baby bump as she pushed the glass door on the second floor and walked in. The employee attending to her was a young girl named Alicia, sitting behind a sturdy table.

"A very good day, dear!" Francesca chirped as she sat across from her.

Francesca was looking forward to a pleasant time and a wonderful conversation if the woman liked her. But she had no idea what was in store for her.

When Alicia first saw her, she looked at her from head to toe and scoffed. "Are you freakin' pregnant?" she asked.

"Excuse me?" Francesca asked, shocked. "What did you just say?"

"I asked if you're pregnant?" Alicia said with a smirk. "Gosh, I wonder how old the father is!"

"Young lady!" Francesca raised her voice. "I assure you that's none of your concern, so if you could please get back to work, that would be the best for both of us, OK?"

"Woah, don't get too worked up. Getting pregnant is not a crime! But who gets pregnant when they're as old as you?"

Francesca could see the evil smile on Alicia's face as she said that. “You're being very disrespectful," she commented. "I don't think they pay you for insulting your customers. You've got to show respect."

Alicia's evil smile disappeared, and she slammed the nail filer on the table. "Who are you to order me around? Get up!"

"What?"

"Just get out of your chair, pregnant old hag!"

Every person has a story, so don't jump to conclusions.

Francesca's eyes welled up.

"You want respect? Look at you! Aren't you embarrassed to walk around with that bump? It looks like you could give birth right now!" Alicia hissed, enjoying the sight of heads turning all around her. "Be honest; how did you get pregnant? Was it an affair, an accident? I mean, you don't seem younger than 50... so that child will be embarrassed to have an 'old mom.'"

Francesca was ashamed as everyone around her turned to look at her. Why was this woman being so insulting to her?

"Well," she said, fighting back her tears. "You should be careful about what you say, honey. I'm old enough to be your mother!"

"Exactly!" Alicia cried as she rose to her feet. "You're my mother's age, and you're pregnant, too!"

Francesca's hand went to her mouth in shock as she now looked at Alicia's belly, which was earlier invisible behind the table. She, too, was pregnant and at least seven months along.

"You know what; I'm not going to serve you today!" Alicia declared. "Get out now!"

Francesca raised her hand, signaling the young woman to stop. "Please don't yell like that. It's not good for your child. I had booked an appointment here, so I'll have my nails manicured by another staff member. I could give you a terrible review, but I won't. God bless you! That's all I can say."

Alicia sighed and rolled her eyes. "A bad review from a nobody won't harm me, granny! So go ahead and do anything you want! Just get out of here!"

Francesca shook her head and swallowed her tears. Then she spoke to the receptionist about the situation and was assigned to another staff member.

While her day didn't turn out as pleasant as she'd expected, Francesca got her nails done and went home.

What she didn't know was that Alicia would soon be in hot water because of how she'd treated her.

Alicia was a single mama-to-be and struggling to make ends meet. Only a night ago, she had discovered her husband was cheating on her, and when she confronted him, he accepted it brazenly and walked out on her.

Alicia had never expected her married life to fall apart in one night, and she was so devastated that she ended up venting her frustrations on Francesca. Unfortunately, by the time Alicia realized what she'd done, it was too late.

Her manager summoned her to his office and dismissed her later that evening. "I'm afraid we don't give out salaries for mocking our customers! You may leave, Alicia. I'll have your severance pay sent into your account."

Alicia's eyes welled up. "I'm sorry, Mr. Ewing," she begged. "I desperately need the job, and I apologize for what I did. I wasn't thinking clearly. I… I wasn't in my right mind!"

"Right mind?" he asked. "Alicia! This is your workplace. I can't let you off the hook for what you did. That lady was gracious enough not to leave us a negative review!"

"Mr. Ewing, I—"

"OK, can you guarantee you won't do it again?"

"I will, well, I can try—"

"Do I get the guarantee or not?"

"I… I'll do my best not to—"

"See, this is the issue, Alicia!" he grumbled. "No, I'm afraid I can't keep you on the job any longer. I wish you the best, but I absolutely cannot risk my business or career. Come on; it wasn't easy for me to establish a successful salon. So, I'm hoping you understand."

Alicia couldn't keep her tears at bay as she returned home that evening. She sank onto her couch and bawled her eyes out like a child. She'd lost her husband and job, and now she didn't have any means to support her unborn baby.

Everything was going south. How was she supposed to go on like this?

Alicia was crying bitterly. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain, and before she knew it, she was having terrible contractions. She managed to grab her phone from her purse and dial 911. Little did she know her karma was waiting ahead for her.

Alicia's condition worsened as she was being transported to the hospital. Her brow was drenched in sweat, and her breathing was labored. The doctors asked Alicia if they could call someone for moral support during the delivery, but she didn't know who to call.

Alicia was transferred to a regular ward after a couple of hours that seemed like an eternity. The delivery went well, but her baby would need to stay under supervision in the hospital.

When Alicia was shifted to the room, she couldn't believe her eyes. On the bed beside hers was Francesca! Alicia couldn't bring herself to look at her.

"Is that you, Alicia?" Francesca noticed her and smiled. "Is everything OK, darling?"

"It's none of your business," Alicia said bitterly. "Please pretend you don't know me."

"I overheard the nurses talking. I hope your baby is doing well."

"How does it matter to you? You should be pleased with yourself for getting me fired."

"Fired?" gasped Francesca. "I… I had no idea they'd—"

"As if you care that they fired me!"

"Where is your family?" Francesca asked.

Alicia didn't respond and turned away from Francesca to gaze out the window.

"Well, it's so strange that we met today, and we're giving birth on the same day!" Francesca said. "I was brought here for the delivery too… Anyway, have a good rest."

Alicia closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face. She didn't look at Francesca even once. She dozed off on the hospital bed and didn't know when Francesca left for her delivery.

Alicia awoke hours later to find a couple in her room and had no idea what was happening. Then she noticed Francesca cradling a baby in her arms on her bed.

"What's going on?" Alicia asked, confused.

"Oh, we're sorry for disturbing you," Francesca apologized. "This is my family… That's my daughter and son-in-law. And this little baby… that's their child."

Alicia's eyes widened in shock. "Their child?"

"Yes, dear, yes," Francesca nodded. She explained her daughter and son-in-law were having issues conceiving, and even after a series of fertility treatments, nothing had worked out. Francesca wanted to help them, so she underwent tests to determine if she could carry their child. Fortunately, everything worked fine.

"I'm very sorry..." Alicia sobbed. "I… I had no idea you were doing this for your daughter! I was really rude to you! I feel awful! I'm really sorry!"

"What's going on, Mom?" Francesca's daughter asked. "You two seem to know each other."

"Meet Alicia, honey," Francesca replied. "I met her at the salon this morning, and she gave birth today as well! I didn't expect we'd meet again like this! I think it was probably as much of a surprise for her as it was for me."

"That's lovely!" Francesca's daughter said. "Congratulations, Alicia!"

Alicia's eyes were moist. She'd been so harsh to Francesca earlier that morning, but Francesca and her family were so gracious. Then Alicia noticed the flowers and gifts on Francesca's table and remembered she had a family too, whom she had pushed away intentionally.

"My mum," Alicia confessed to Francesca, "I haven't spoken to her in ages. My husband was cheating on me, and I only found out recently. After he left, I couldn't keep my sanity. I was very mean to you. I'm sorry. You are a kind woman, and you've got people who love you. Thank you for your wishes."

"Call her," Francesca suggested. "I bet no mother can be angry with their child for long."

"Will she talk to me? I was very mean to her too."

"Please call me Francesca," Francesca said. "And tell your mama you love her. I'm sure she won't be angry with you. Besides, she would love to meet her grandchild."

Francesca felt terrible for this girl who was alone in the hospital after giving birth, so she asked her daughter to get flowers and gifts for Alicia too. Alicia couldn't hold back her tears and sobbed in response to Francesca's gesture. Unfortunately, though, Alicia's mother didn't respond to her calls.

A week later, Francesca was discharged from the hospital and returned home. One morning, she was having breakfast when she heard the doorbell ring. When she answered the door, she was surprised to find Alicia in her doorway.

"Alicia?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Francesca," she shyly said. "I wanted to thank you for encouraging me to call my mom. She responded and said she wanted to move in with me to help me look after my baby."

"WOW!" said Francesca. "That's wonderful, isn't it?"

"I need help, Francesca. Can I please work for you? I can be your maid, and I'll take care of all the cleaning and everything else."

Francesca was confused. "What's the matter? Are you short of money?"

With tears in her eyes, Alicia confessed that she didn't have enough money to get tickets for her mother, who lived in another state. Her savings were already gone due to the hospital bills, and she knew she wouldn't be able to find a job soon, so she turned to Francesca for help.

Francesca agreed to help Alicia but on a specific condition. "Well, I've always wanted a second daughter, and I need help with my daughter's baby."

"So why don't you allow me to be a motherly figure and help you learn about raising kids? You could assist my daughter and me with her baby and learn how to raise a child independently. You could call yourself a maid or helper, whatever you want! And I will compensate you. How does that sound?"

Alicia couldn't keep her tears at bay as she nodded. "You're an angel, Francesca," she said. "I'm so glad I met you. Thank you. I appreciate what you're doing for me."

"Thank you to you too!" Francesca said, smiling. "Now, come on in!"

So, Alicia was changing the diapers of Francesca's daughter's baby at Francesca's house a week later, honing her motherhood skills after finding a motherly figure in Francesca.

What can we learn from this story?

• Every person has a story, so don't jump to conclusions. Alicia took out her frustration on Francesca and mocked her for being pregnant at 50, unaware that Francesca was helping her daughter and son-in-law.
• Even a cold person's heart can be moved with kindness and affection. While Alicia was rude to Francesca, Francesca always treated Alicia with warmth and love, which changed the young woman for the better.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a 'deaf-mute' man who is mocked by his sons about their inheritance split until he speaks up.

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