Seventeen-year-old Andrew was used to getting everything he wanted, and when things didn’t go his way, he lashed out at others. But when he insulted a flight attendant, his father decided it was time his spoiled son finally learned what respect meant.
“Do you think he’ll manage on his own?”
Steven’s gaze followed his son as Andrew strode confidently toward the airport gate. He lowered his eyes to his wife.
“Of course he’ll be fine,” Steven replied firmly.
“I just hope this new school can teach him some humility,” she murmured.
Her brow furrowed with worry. “But what if the boys in the dorm are rough with him? He’s never been away from home like this before.”
“That’s exactly why I sent him there,” Steven said, his jaw tightening. “Andrew’s become far too pampered, and he needs a reality check.”
Months later, Andrew was boarding a flight home for Christmas break after his first semester at boarding school. He had hated the experience—the plain dorms, the rules, the chores. All he wanted was to get back to his gaming setup and the luxury car he’d received on his sixteenth birthday.
“Hey, you,” Andrew called, waving at the flight attendant, a freckled redhead.
“How may I help you, sir?” she asked with a polite smile.
“Get me something better than these peanuts.” He tossed the little bag at her dismissively.
Her smile faded. “Sir, please don’t throw things at me.”
“I’ll do what I please,” Andrew said with a smirk. “Your job is to serve me, so stop whining and get on with it.”
The man seated beside him turned to glare. “Don’t you dare speak to her like that,” he scolded. “Just because it’s her job doesn’t mean you can treat her like garbage.”
Andrew rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers impatiently. “Still waiting for that snack.”
The flight attendant dropped her gaze and quietly walked away. The older passenger shook his head in disapproval.
“Your parents must be ashamed of you,” he muttered.
“Mind your own business, old man,” Andrew shot back before turning his attention to the in-flight entertainment.
A few minutes later, the attendant returned with a small pretzel.
“Here you go, sir,” she said softly. “If there’s anything else—”
“I don’t want this!” Andrew sneered, slapping it from her hand.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Sir, peanuts and pretzels are all we have.”
“That’s pathetic. Just like you,” Andrew spat. “Now go get me a real snack.”
A woman across the aisle stood up, placing a protective hand on the attendant’s arm. “Don’t you dare talk to her that way!”
“If she did her job properly, I wouldn’t have to,” Andrew retorted coldly. “She’s nothing but a servant—and a lousy one at that.”
The flight attendant broke down in tears.
The elderly man beside Andrew shook his head. “You deserve a good thrashing, boy.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” A firm hand pressed down on Andrew’s shoulder.
The voice was unmistakable. Andrew froze before turning to see his father standing right behind him, face red with fury.
“Dad? What are you doing here?” Andrew stammered.
“I was flying home from a business trip,” Steven replied, glaring. “I hoped we’d meet on this flight, but I never imagined it would be under these circumstances. Apologize to this young lady—and to everyone else—immediately.”
Hunched over, Andrew muttered an apology. He didn’t understand why his father was so angry, but he knew better than to push back when Steven’s temper flared.
Back at their mansion, Steven led his son straight into his upstairs office.
“This ends now,” he said, slamming the door shut.
“Your behavior is appalling. I thought boarding school might straighten you out, but I see I was wrong.”
Andrew scoffed. “Why are you making this such a big deal? She’s just a flight attendant—it’s not like she’s important.”
Steven’s expression hardened. “And that’s exactly your problem. You think you’re better than others just because you were born into wealth. That attitude ends today.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not going back to boarding school. You’ll finish at a public school, and you’ll spend your vacation working.”
“Working?” Andrew asked, perking up. “So you’ll give me a position at your company?”
Steven gave a tight smile. “Yes, but not the kind you’re imagining. You’ll be working in my cleaning business—as a janitor.”
Andrew’s jaw dropped. “No way! I’m not doing that!”
“You will,” Steven said sharply. “Because I’m also cutting off every privilege. No bank cards, no car, no computer, no phone—not even your designer clothes. You’ll learn to respect people the hard way.”
And so, Andrew had no choice. His father stripped away his luxuries and sent him to work the very next day.
Assigned to an older woman at the airport, Andrew quickly revealed how little he knew. She chuckled at his clumsy attempts to mop.
“Stop laughing at me or I’ll have you fired!” he snapped.
She wagged a finger. “No, you won’t. Your father already warned me about you. Now grab that broom—these floors won’t clean themselves.”
Frustrated, Andrew obeyed.
While cleaning trash bins, someone tossed a greasy food container at him.
“Hey!” Andrew shouted, chasing after the man. “How dare you throw that at me!”
The man shook him off roughly. “Get your filthy hands off me, you worthless janitor.”
Andrew fell back, stunned. Was this what it felt like to be treated as if you didn’t matter?
A moment later, a woman kicked him aside. “Move, lazy bum. I’ll report you for sleeping on the job.”
For the first time, Andrew understood the lesson his father wanted him to learn.
Then he spotted her—the redheaded flight attendant he had humiliated.
He rushed over, shame written across his face. “I’m so sorry,” he said earnestly. “I treated you horribly.”
The woman blinked in surprise, but then gave him a gentle smile. “I’m glad you’ve realized your mistake.”