Barry White

I own a duplex. My tenant downstairs is a single mom with a newborn. Rent is due on the 1st. It was the 5th, and I hadn't heard from her. Usually, I send a late notice. It's a business, right? But I went down and knocked instead. She opened the door holding a crying baby. She looked like she hadn't slept in a week. "I'm so sorry," she panicked. "My maternity leave was unpaid and my car broke down. I have $200. I can get the rest by Friday." I looked around her apartment. It was bare. She had sold her couch. "Keep the $200," I said. "In fact, don't worry about rent this month." She stopped crying and stared at me. "What?" "Take the month," I said. "Buy groceries. Fix the car. We'll start fresh next month." I lost $1,200 that day. But the look of pure relief on that mother's face? Worth every single penny. A lease is a contract, but humanity should always be the fine print.