As an elderly person, I don’t get to see my daughter as often as I’d like since my beloved wife passed away. But we do talk every day, and our bond remains strong. On my 80th birthday, all I wanted was to spend the day with her, so I decided to surprise her by driving over to her place.
When she opened the door, her face showed surprise and nervousness. I could sense something was off. With a shaky voice, she asked, “Dad, what are you here for?”
I smiled and replied, “Just wanted to be with you for my birthday.”
There was a sudden change in her expression, and she hesitated before saying, “Dad, you can’t stay. I’ve got a lot going on. I’m sorry, but it’s really not a good time.”
I was taken aback. My daughter had never treated me like this before. I couldn’t help but feel hurt. Trying to hide my disappointment, I suggested, “Alright, I’ll wait on the sofa until you’re free.”
But she insisted, almost pushing me out the door. “No, Dad, you really need to leave right away.”
As I walked back towards my car, a feeling of unease washed over me. I couldn’t shake the sense that something was wrong. Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to take a glance through the living room window.
To my horror, there were two strangers inside my daughter’s house, moving about in a hurry. My heart raced with worry. What was happening? Why were there people in her home, and why was she acting so strangely?
Without wasting another moment, I stepped away and immediately called the police. They arrived within minutes and approached the house with caution. My anxiety grew as I waited for news.
Finally, the officers emerged, escorting the two strangers out in handcuffs. Tears streamed down my daughter’s face as she rushed to hug me, apologizing profusely. “Dad, I’m so sorry. I was trying to protect you. Those men broke in just before you arrived. I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
Relief flooded over me as I held her tightly. “It’s alright, sweetheart. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
The police took our statements and assured us that justice would be served. And despite the initial scare, the rest of my birthday turned out to be the most memorable one yet. We sat on the sofa, the same one where I had initially planned to wait, and cherished our time together.
This experience only deepened the bond between my daughter and me. Her fierce determination to protect me at all costs made me appreciate our relationship even more.
