Allison was devastated when she learned Ross had been unemployed since October. He’d continued pretending to work while spending money he didn’t have. Worse, her parents had loaned him $4,000 because he’d claimed he needed money for the New Year’s catering. Yet the Family Fund had already paid those expenses. Allison demanded to know where their money had gone. Ross couldn’t answer. She eventually took the children to her parents’ home, explaining that she needed space. For the first time, Ross was facing the consequences of several lies.

When I reminded him about the court judgment, he admitted he couldn’t afford to pay because he had no job. I refused to cancel the debt, but I didn’t celebrate his difficulties either. Several weeks later, Ross asked whether my radio station had any vacancies. He eventually secured an entry-level overnight position as a board operator. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was honest work. Under a repayment arrangement, part of his wages went toward the judgment. Slowly, he began rebuilding his life. Then one night, an unexpected telephone call changed everything.