“Molly, look! Your dad’s here!” someone from the funeral told the 17-year-old girl who was mourning over her mother Daisy’s coffin.
Danny, Molly’s dad, and her mom had divorced ten years ago. Since then, Molly had only heard terrible things about her father—like he was a ‘drunkard’ and such.
Though Molly didn’t have any bitterness towards Danny, she often missed their dad-daughter connection. But after her mom’s funeral, things were going to change for Molly…
Danny warmly greeted his daughter, embracing her before laying a wreath on his ex-wife’s coffin.
“Excuse me, sir, is that your truck? It’s obstructing part of the parking area. Would you mind moving it?” a guest inquired of Danny, who worked as a truck driver.
“Yes, that’s my truck. Please give me a moment. I’ve just reunited with my daughter, and I hope you can understand. Thank you!”
Danny felt immense joy in meeting Molly. For many years, the only connection he had with her was through the child support payments he made. Daisy had consistently prevented him from seeing Molly, fearing he might have a negative influence on her.
Once the funeral concluded and everyone had departed, Danny gathered all of Molly’s belongings and informed her that they were heading to his home.
“A parcel? Who sent it?” he wondered. A card on it read: “For Dad of the Year”
“But why, dad? I can’t leave this house. Mom and I lived here. It’s filled with our memories.”
Molly frowned because Danny wouldn’t listen. He knew he could not leave his daughter alone, particularly considering she often used a wheelchair when she didn’t need crutches. Due to an underlying condition she had developed in her left leg when she was six, Molly limped.
Two days later, Molly took up residence with her father. Although the house was small and somewhat disorganized, it provided her with a sense of comfort and made her feel cherished and included.
As time went on, Danny struggled to meet Molly’s needs. Having not been present during her upbringing, he found himself uncertain about how to handle various tasks, such as braiding her hair. He sought to improve his skills by watching instructional videos online. However, that was just the beginning.
He cleared out his bedroom to create a pleasant sleeping area for Molly and even purchased a soft, new bed to ensure her comfort. Danny made every effort to help his daughter feel at home, yet he kept one thing hidden: his frequent absences during the night.
Molly had no idea where her dad had been going at night after she fell asleep. She could only guess he was loitering with his friends in the pub, just as her mother often told her.
A few days later, Molly stepped down from the school bus and entered their home, crying. She found the door was locked. There was a note tucked behind a plant. “The keys are under the pot. I will be back soon. See ya! – Dad.”
Molly frowned as she remembered her mother discussing her father’s peculiar evening habits. She felt a pang of concern, believing her father might be out drinking at four o’clock in the afternoon.
As the hours went by, Danny still had not come home. Molly prepared herself some pasta, setting aside a portion for her father. Afterwards, she lay on her bed, tears streaming down her face.
“If only I were like everyone else, I wouldn’t feel so out of place. I would have secured a date for the prom.”
It became apparent that Molly’s teacher had announced the details of the upcoming senior prom. All of her classmates had managed to find dates, leaving Molly alone. She couldn’t help but think—who would want to dance with someone who had a limp?
Molly cried so loudly that Danny heard her as soon as he arrived home.
“What happened, darling? Why are you crying?”
Molly informed him about the upcoming prom. “I do not have a date. I even approached several boys to see if one of them would be willing to dance with me at the prom, but they declined and laughed at me. I do not wish to attend the prom, father! I prefer to be alone! Goodnight!”
Molly turned away from Danny and feigned sleep, her tears soaking the pillow beneath her.
Danny could not bear to see his daughter in such distress. The following day, he purchased a stunning prom dress for Molly. On the day of the prom, she was in for an emotional surprise: her father was taking her to the event.
Senior students and their parents were flocking outside the hall when a loud screeching roar of an engine drew their attention.
Danny descended from the truck and positioned a wheelchair on the lawn, assisting Molly in getting out. He then maneuvered the wheelchair along the red carpet, captivating the audience with their display.
As the music began to play, Danny took to the dance floor with his daughter. He lifted Molly and twirled her around, perfectly in tune with the enchanting melodies of the evening. In that moment, Molly momentarily set aside her disability, laughing joyfully as her father spun her in his embrace.
“My dad is my true superhero. I cherish him more than anything in this world. I feel fortunate and proud to be his daughter,” Molly expressed to her friends after their dance.
In the meantime, Danny became the center of attention. Parents gathered around him to offer their admiration and applause. He took the opportunity to share a few insights about himself and his daughter, unaware of how that night would soon transform their lives.
Danny and Molly returned home, talking about the fun they had. Then Danny put Molly to sleep in her bedroom and silently crept out of the house.
It turned out Danny had been working a second job as a caregiver at a local nursing home. Besides his part-time day gig as a truck driver, he worked overtime to save money for his daughter’s treatment. When Molly’s disability was diagnosed years ago, many told Danny and Daisy that she would never be able to walk.
A physician had guaranteed them that he would provide treatment for the girl and help her regain her ability to walk. Consequently, Danny ceased his social outings at pubs with friends and took on two jobs.
Daisy had misinterpreted his intentions, believing he was squandering his time at the pub. Despite Danny’s attempts to clarify the situation, she remained skeptical of him. Her persistent doubts and frequent arguments ultimately led to their separation shortly thereafter. Danny remained undeterred, as his sole focus was on accumulating funds for Molly’s surgery, dedicating himself to hard work over the following years.
Reflecting on his past caused Danny considerable distress. Even that evening, while driving to work, he found it difficult to dismiss the hurtful remarks made by his ex-wife. After completing his shift, he returned home, unaware of the surprise that awaited him and Molly.
That morning, when he returned home from work, Danny was in for a sweet surprise when he found a package in his mailbox.
“A parcel?? Who sent it?” he wondered. A card on it read: “Dad of the Year!”
Within the envelope, Danny discovered a check amounting to $10,000 along with an additional note:
“Dear Danny, we trust this contribution will enhance your daughter’s quality of life. Wishing you success with her surgery, and we hope you can enjoy more evenings together. Best Regards, Your Prom Friends!”
Danny understood that the parents he had encountered the night before were the ones responsible for this generous act. Overcome with emotion, he wept tears of joy and conveyed the uplifting news to Molly.
“Really?! My God, daddy…This is unbelievable!” She laughed and cried on his shoulders.
With the funds Danny had accumulated, along with the $10,000 check, Molly underwent her surgery. The procedure was successful, and over time, she regained the ability to walk unaided.
In the meantime, Danny decided to resign from his second job to dedicate more time to his daughter. Molly had received a scholarship to pursue architecture in another state and was scheduled to depart in three months.
Danny aimed to maximize the time he had left with Molly. He took the opportunity to teach her various skills, including cooking, dancing, cycling, and even running. His primary desire was for his daughter to experience a normal life, free from the memories of her previous reliance on a wheelchair and crutches.
What can we learn from this story?