The Note on the Refrigerator
Margaret had been married to Robert for thirty-five years. They had three and a half decades of shared memories, reared children, and the comfortable rhythm of being together for a long time. She realized right away that something had changed in their carefully kept balance when she stepped into the kitchen on a Tuesday morning and noticed the note affixed to the refrigerator door.
Robert wrote the memo on his fancy business stationery:
Dear Margaret,
I hope this letter finds you in a pleasant mood. First of all, I want to say how much I love our marriage and everything we’ve accomplished together over the years. But I need to be honest with you about some biological facts that I think we both need to face.
You can’t meet some of the demands that a man of my age can still meet at fifty-seven. This is only a normal aspect of life and biology, not a sign of how much I value you as a partner.
So, I thought it was only fair to let you know that I will be in the Comfort Inn Hotel on Highway 12 with Jennifer, my nineteen-year-old secretary, tonight. I hope you appreciate that this is only a practical way to meet the needs I listed above.
I want to make it clear that the situation doesn’t change anything about our marriage or my dedication to you as my wife. Before midnight, I will be back home.
Respectfully, Robert
Margaret read the note three times. At first, she was shocked, but then she felt something else: a cold, clear clarity that felt almost freeing. She carefully folded the note, put it in her purse, and went on with her day, teaching calculus to college students with a slight smile on her face.
That night, Sarah wrote her message on the same expensive paper that Robert kept in his home office:
Dear Robert,
Thanks for your honest mail this morning. I appreciate your honesty about my age of 57 years, and I’m glad you took the time to convey your perspective so clearly.
I’d like to use this chance to tell you that you are also fifty-seven years old, something you seem to have forgotten when you were contemplating biological facts.
You probably already know that I teach math at Riverside Community College, where I focus on advanced calculus and statistical analysis. I want to let you know that I am at the Hotel Fiesta downtown with Michael, one of my smartest pupils, while you read this letter. Michael is also the assistant tennis coach, and by chance, he is also 19 years old.
As a successful businessman who has always been proud of how well he understands math and logic, I know you’ll like the following calculation:
Three times nineteen equals fifty-seven evenly. But fifty-seven doesn’t go to nineteen at all.
So, if you only think about math, you’ll see that we’re basically in the same situation, with one small but important difference in frequency capacity.
Because of this mathematical fact, I won’t be home until tomorrow afternoon. Depending on Michael’s energy level and my willingness to give him extra credit, I might return home later. 
With the same regard, Margaret
P.S. – I put a calculus book on your nightstand. The part about division might be helpful.
Robert got home at 11:47 PM and saw the letter on the dining room table, leaning against a calculator and an open math journal with an article called “Understanding Numerical Relationships.”
Neighbors said that the look on his face was priceless.
- The Executive’s Shock Thomas Bradley, the CEO of a Fortune 500 business, stepped into his corner office and saw an envelope on his desk that said “URGENT.” There was a formal letter from his wife of twenty-eight years inside:
Hi Thomas,
I am writing to let you know that I am getting a divorce. You might be startled by this choice, as you’ve been too busy with “business trips” to notice that I’ve been unhappy for the previous five years.
I want half of all of our marital assets, including the vacation home in Aspen that you think I don’t know about, which is registered in your assistant’s name.
Thanks for always using the same passwords. It was really straightforward to guess “ThomasBradley1.”
Your soon-to-be ex-wife,
P.S. – I also sent you printouts of your “business expenses” for the last three years. My lawyer found them interesting, and so will the IRS.
Thomas called his lawyer in a panic, only to find out that his wife had been ahead of him for months.
- The Wars Over Parking Spaces Linda had been driving around the congested parking lot of the mall for fifteen minutes when she finally saw a space open up. She turned on her turn signal and waited patiently for the car in front of her to back out.
A beautiful sports car sped by her and took the place just as she was about to drive ahead. A man in his twenties got out, smiled, and remarked, “That’s what happens when you’re young and fast, lady.”
Linda smiled sweetly, pulled down her window, and said, “That’s fine.” That’s what happens when you’re wealthy and old.
Then she softly tapped her huge SUV against the back bumper of his car. Her reinforced bumper was barely scratched, but his beautiful sports car got a $3,000 ding.
She cheerfully said, “My insurance will take care of it.” “My husband runs the dealership.”
- The Complaint About the Restaurant A woman was sitting at a fancy restaurant and looked unhappy with her food. When the server inquired if everything was okay, she went on and on about the temperature, the seasoning, and the way everything looked.
The server listened carefully and then responded, “I’m sorry that you’re not happy, ma’am.” But I should point out that you’re eating at a soup kitchen. We don’t really charge for the food here.”
The woman blinked twice, looked around at the simple surroundings she had apparently missed, and quietly completed her complimentary supper without saying anything else.
- The Interview for the Job Jennifer sat across from the recruiting manager, a middle-aged man who had been asking her more and more inappropriate questions about her personal life, relationship status, and future family plans for the last twenty minutes.
In the end, he leaned back and said, “You seem qualified, but I’m worried about selecting women who are able to have children. They are not very reliable.
Jennifer got up, smiled, and said, “Thank you for being honest.” It helps me figure out which companies I absolutely don’t want to work with. When I write my evaluation on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and in my letter to your HR department and the EEOC, I’ll be sure to bring this up.
She left, and the manager’s smug smile stayed on his face.
Six months later, his competitor hired her for a job that paid twenty percent more. A year later, her company bought his, and she became his boss.
- The Gym Membership Harold had been a member of Elite Fitness for three years and went three times a week, even though he never lost the weight he wanted to. One day, a new personal trainer came up to him out of the blue.
“Hey, buddy,” the trainer said in a fake excited voice. “Looks like you could use some help.” I have a special program that could change your life.
“Thanks, but I’m already working with someone,” Harold said with a smile.
“Really? Because I haven’t observed any changes.
“Neither do your clients,” Harold added, pointing to the trainer’s blatant steroid use and the three persons who had abandoned his program that month alone. “But I appreciate your concern.”
- The Letter of Inheritance Dear Dad,
Thank you for your letter letting me know that you want to give all of your property to my younger brother. You said, “He needs it more and has always been more responsible.”
I wanted to take this chance to tell you some things you might not have known:
For the last three years, when you were out of work, I paid your mortgage. I was the doctor who found your heart problem early enough to save your life. I found out that your “responsible” son is being charged with embezzlement after I promised to look at the records of his company. You can leave him the estate. I already made my own without your help or permission.
Your oldest daughter
- The Ticket for Speeding Officer Martinez stopped a high-end car that was going 85 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver, a well-dressed man in his forties, quickly started to defend himself.
“Officer, do you know who I am?” I’m a senior vice president at—
Martinez cut in, “I don’t care if you’re the president of the United States.” “You were going too fast in a school zone.”
“This ticket could raise my insurance rates!””
“Yes,” Martinez said. “That’s how consequences usually work.”
The man grumbled about attorneys and complaints. “You can definitely file a complaint,” Martinez stated as he gave him the ticket. My wife is my sergeant. Her brother is my captain. And who will hear your case? That’s my father-in-law.” Have a nice day.”
- The Reunion of the Class When Bethany got to her twenty-year high school reunion, she saw a bunch of old friends who had made her life hard standing near the bar.
“Oh my God,” one of them said in a loud voice. “Is that Bethany?” Wow, you truly have become older.
Bethany smiled. “Yes, I have.” I’ve also written three best-selling novels, married a greawonderful, raised two smart kids, and finally come to terms with how I look. What about you, Jennifer? Do you still think your worth is based on how you look? It must be getting harder at forty.
The group stopped talking. Later, one of them said they were sorry. The others stayed away from her for the rest of the night.
- The Party for Dinner One visitor at Margaret’s dinner party, a newly affluent business owner, spent the whole night bragging about his prosperity, his automobiles, and his holiday properties.
“Of course,” he continued loudly, “not everyone can handle the pressure that comes with real success.” Some folks are just meant to be average.
Margaret’s husband, who had been quiet all night, eventually stood up and said, “You’re completely right.” I couldn’t manage the stress of making money through Ponzi schemes and cheating investors. I like my work as a federal prosecutor, even though it’s not great. “It’s really boring.”
Not long after that, the business owner left. Three months later, he was charged.
- The Fashion Review Samantha donned a nice, cheap dress to a charity dinner, but she heard two women in the restroom talking about how bad it looked.
“Can you believe someone would wear something so cheap to an event like this?””
Samantha came out of the cubicle, washed her hands, and remarked, “You’re right,” in a nicefriendly. I could have paid more for my dress. But I decided to give that money to the charity we say we’re here to help. Based on what you said, I guess you did the same thing? “
The woman stuttered and then fled. Samantha went back to the gala, where the person in charge of the event complimented her for giving the most money that night.
- The Family Vacation Marcus hated family holidays since his successful cousin never missed a chance to make fun of Marcus’s job as a teacher.
“Are you still teaching middle school, Marcus?” I just made a deal worth more than you’ll ever make in your life.
That week, Marcus got a thank-you note from a thirteen-year-old pupil who had been about to kill himself until Marcus stepped in. Marcus kept it in his pocket.
Marcus answered, “You’re right, David.” “You’ve definitely made more money than I have.” I’ve simply made a bigger difference.
- The Husband Who Comes Back Robert left his wife after thirty years for a younger lady because he said he needed “excitement and passion” in his life. Two years later, he went home with an apology after being broke and left by the younger woman, who had found an even richer man.
His ex-wife opened the door, gazed at him for a long time, and said, “I’m sorry, do I know you?” I have gotten quite excellent at not recognizing folks who are no longer in my life.
She shut the door. He could see her laughing with a good-looking man who was about her age through the glass.
- The Business Lunch Catherine sat through a business lunch where a possible customer talked for forty-five minutes about how he had never worked with a woman in her position before and had “concerns.”
Catherine smiled and added, “Thank you for being honest,” when he was done. It has kept me from wasting time on a client connection that wouldn’t have helped either of us.
She left and took the multi-million-dollar contract for her company to his rival.
- The Diet Tips While Jane was having lunch at a café, a stranger came up to her and remarked, “You know, if you ate better, you wouldn’t have a weight problem.”
Jane looked up and said, “You wouldn’t have a manners problem if you stayed out of other people’s business.”
The owner of the café heard what was going on and told Jane she could have her dinner for free. She also asked the stranger to leave.
- The Costly Car At a red light, a young man in a showy sports car drew up next to an older woman in a simple sedan. He said, “Nice car, Grandma!” and revved his engine. What does it feel like to know you’ll never be able to buy what I’m driving?”
The woman grinned and said, “It feels great!” I paid off my house, my kids’ college tuition, and my retirement savings. How is your lease payment going?”
The light changed to green. She drove away at the speed limit while he tried to fix his broken engine.
- The Job Performance Daniel’s boss brought him into the office to tell him he was “comfortable with mediocrity” and “lacked ambition.”
The boss said, “Look at Jennifer.” “She stays up late every night.” She is always there. That’s dedication.
“Jennifer stays late,” Daniel said quietly, “because she can’t finish her work during the day.” I finish quickly and then head home to my family. “I’m happy to do what you want if it means I have to work less hard to look more committed.”
The manager ended the meeting because no one answered.
- The Wedding That Didn’t Happen Three weeks before the wedding, Emily’s fiancé called it off because he had “found his true love.”
Emily, who had already paid deposits that couldn’t be returned, changed the event to a “Freedom Party” instead. She asked all of their friends to come, served them all the food and drinks they had ordered, and had the DJ play her favorite music all night.
Security took her ex, who had come with his new girlfriend, out of the building. The picture of Emily dancing with her pals in what would have been her wedding dress went viral.
Her ex called to say he was sorry six months later. She didn’t say anything.
- The Complaint from the Neighborhood Karen had made seventeen complaints about the Martinez family’s yard, kids, and “ethnic cooking smells.”
When Mrs. Martinez toldaskedm to take down their culturally important decorations, she invited everyone in the neighborhood to a party to celebrate her culture. She “forgot” to invite Karen on purpose.
Karen watched from her window as the whole block, including the HOA president, ate real food, listened to music, and looked at the decorations she had complained about.
- The Surprise in Court James Mitchell, the lawyer, thought it would be easy to win the case against a lady who was representing herself in court.
He said, “Your Honor,” in a patronizing tone, “the plaintiff clearly doesn’t understand basic legal principles.”
The woman grinned. “Your Honor, I have three law degrees, taught at Harvard Law for fifteen years, and just retired last month.” I’m doing this case myself since it’s so easy that hiring a lawyer would be a waste of money.
She was the winner. Mitchell was punished for how he acted.
- The Last Lesson Professor Williams had a student for a whole semester who always questioned her authority and said she was “too old to understand modern business.”
On the last day of class, the student talked about how much money he would make at a well-known company.
“Great,” Professor Williams replied. “I’m glad my letter of recommendation helped.” Of course, I will need to write your boss an amended letter that accurately describes how you acted in class.
The student’s face turned white. “You wrote my recommendation?””
“Your dad and I went to school together.” He asked me in person.
The student was a lot more respectful in the rest of his classes.
The Common Thread These anecdotes all have one thing in common: it’s a mistake to judge someone based on their age, gender, look, or job, and you often learn important lessons from them. The smart wife who figured out how to cheat on her husband, the teacher who cared more about making a difference than making money, and the woman who turned a broken engagement into a party all show how powerful quick thinking, self-respect, and the right reply can be.
It turns out that the best way to get back at someone is not to not retaliate’s living well, thinking clearly, and responding to rudeness with such grace and wit that there is no place for a comeback.
Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing. At times, it’s a math problem. And other times, it’s just the truth, delivered at the right time.
Remember these stories the next time someone doesn’t think you’re capable. Keep in mind that age brings knowledge, experience gives you a new point of view, and patience gives you the perfect chance to respond in a way they’ll always remember.