“My mother worked as a house cleaner, and sometimes, when she didn’t have anyone to watch me, she would bring me along to help. I’d spend the day with her, tidying up the homes of different families.
One day, after she was suddenly hospitalized, my father decided to drop me off at one of the houses she regularly cleaned so that I could finish the job. It turned out to be the home of a wealthy student from my school.
I remember feeling nervous but determined to do the best I could. I was about halfway through the cleaning when the homeowner, the student’s mother, came in and saw me there.
She seemed surprised but asked me kindly what was going on. I explained the situation to her, and after listening, she was considerate enough to let me finish the job. She even paid me for my work. I felt relieved, but looking back, I don’t think we ever went back to that house again.”
