When Annie’s son got really sick, she took a week off work. But when she returned, her boss had a police officer and handcuffs waiting for her.
You know how you think a decade of work makes you valuable to a company?
Yeah, not for me.
Let me tell you what happened.
I had worked at the same company for ten years. I started as a marketing intern right out of college and slowly climbed the corporate ladder, even though my pay increased at a snail’s pace.
One day, my five-year-old son, Kenny, got very sick. His fever was high, and he kept vomiting. Any mom would be worried, right?
I couldn’t leave him with a babysitter. I needed to be there, ready to take him to the doctor if needed.
So, I decided to call my boss and tell him the truth. Plus, I hadn’t used my leave for the year, so it shouldn’t have been an issue.
I left Kenny in his bed and stepped away to make the call.
“Hi, Mr. Williams,” I said when he answered. “My son is sick, and I need to be with him. I’m going to take the week off to care for him. I haven’t used any of my leave yet.”
There was a moment of silence before he exploded.
“Are you serious, Annie?” he shouted. “We have our annual general meeting in two days, and you’re abandoning me now? You know I need the marketing reports.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” I said. “But I just can’t come in. And the reports are done. I emailed them to you yesterday morning.”
He didn’t bother to reply—instead, he hung up.
I didn’t overthink it because my boss was hot-headed and impulsive.
I focused on making soup for Kenny, putting all my energy into my child.
A week later, when Kenny had recovered and was back to school, I walked into my office.
My boss was sitting in my chair, clapping slowly with an eerie smile plastered on his face.
“Annie,” he said. “Welcome back. I have a surprise for you.”
Before I could react, a uniformed officer entered the room, handcuffs at the ready.
“Annie Mills,” he barked. “You have the right to remain silent…”
He continued to read my rights while my heart raced and my body felt limp.
“What is going on?” I gasped, suddenly unable to breathe.
“Annie, it has come to my attention that you don’t have a son. And now, you’re going to be punished. Well played, Annie, but you got caught in your lies.”
My mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. I had no idea what my boss was talking about. Of course I had a son. I was a single mother because Kenny’s father left when he found out I was pregnant.
While being escorted out of the office, I wondered when things had gone so wrong.
I sat in the police car, pinching my wrist to make sure I was awake.
At the station, they refused me a phone call. The officer continued giving me horrible glares.
He threw me into a damp, moldy holding cell. I didn’t know what to do. If I was refused a call, how would anyone know I was here? My neighbor would keep Kenny after school until I got home. But other than that, Kenny only had me.
After what felt like hours, another officer walked past the cell.
“Please,” I said, running up to the bars. “I need to make my phone call.”
She agreed and led me to the pay phone. I called my best friend, Mia. She was an attorney, and I knew I couldn’t afford her services, but she was my only option.
“Mia,” I said quickly, not knowing how much time I had. “I’ve been arrested. I need you.”
Mia came to the station, and they allowed her to see me immediately.
Now, the plot thickens.
Mia took my case without hesitation.
“There’s something shady going on here,” she said.
She spoke to a few of the officers—needless to say, a few voices were raised.
Eventually, she got me out and I went home to Kenny. Then, she did some digging.
It turns out that Mr. Williams orchestrated everything. He paid off the officer to arrest me. According to our company contracts, if an employee is arrested, suspected, or involved in any criminal activity, the contract is terminated, and the company keeps any outstanding salary.
In my case, it was my unpaid salary.
“Are you sure?” I asked Mia when she told me everything, including emails from Mr. Williams to the police officer.
“Yes,” she said, helping herself to dinner. “It’s all a done deal now. Prison will be his home for the foreseeable future.”
I smiled.
This woman selflessly saved me from prison without taking a cent from me. Kenny and I will forever be indebted to her.
The company, trying to avoid a lawsuit, gave me $40,000 as moral compensation and good faith, claiming Mr. Williams acted alone.
I was only in a holding cell for a few hours, but it was enough to scare me. I’m grateful for Mia and her faith in the justice system because, without her, I would still be waiting for an explanation and justice.
Now, I work with Mia, taking care of her firm’s marketing needs and PR whenever needed. It’s a stable job, and I feel safe. Most importantly, I can provide for my son without worrying about who I work for.
Has anything as ridiculous happened to you where you work?
