Perception vs Reality: Anecdote

The other day I overheard my good friend talking to his 5 year old son about me when he was putting him to bed. His little guy has known me his entire life. His dad and I have been friends since high school. I remember how excited he always seemed to be when I would visit. As he got a little older though, his enthusiasm waned. I wasn't so cool anymore. I didn't know why.

I think I do now. This is how the conversation went give or take:

"Dad, do you have to drive him home again?"

"Tony will drive home on his own."

"But he doesn't even have a car."

"Yes he does", my friend sounded confused.

"But he always has someone driving him. He had to borrow that car."

"No he didn't, that's his car."

"How did he get a car?"

"He bought it."

"How? He doesn't have a job. How'd he pay for it?"

"Tony owns his own company. He bought his own car with money he earned."

"But where does he work?"

"He doesn't work for anyone else. He works for himself. His company is called Asmotek."

"But how can he do that?"

"He worked really hard for a long, long time..."

A few minutes later my friend returned. We watched Key & Peele skits on Youtube and I drove home. Life teaches lessons in weird ways don't you think. I wonder if my friend's little guy will someday start a business?