Cafe Manager Insults Teen Employee, Unaware Her Dad Is Standing In Line – Story of the Day

Lily took a summer job to pay for her art supplies but had no idea her manager would go crazy on her first day working the register. Things only worsened when her estranged father stepped out of the line to defend her. But his reappearance wasnt welcomed, and it upended her life.

Lily grinned widely when she arrived for her first day working the counter at a local café. Summer holidays had started the previous week, and Lily was looking forward to spending the next few months producing new artwork.

However, that wouldnt be possible without this new job. The money she made would be used to buy an easel and a new set of paints, so she was cheerier than most would be at the prospect of their first day.

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She needed better supplies for what she had in mind. It would also make her artwork pop, as cheap paint didnt have the same effect. So, she set to work with high spirits, arriving a little earlier than expected and listening intently to the other person on shift, Kyle.

“OK, so youll be taking the orders. I was told you know how to use the system,” he explained carefully. “Ill be focused on making coffees, and you can help me with simple stuff like serving or packing muffins and the works.”

“Cool,” Lily nodded, smiling.

“But,” Kyle lifted his finger. “The mornings are the worst. Were gonna be running and running straight for a couple of hours. Any mistake can set us back like crazy, so I need you to be on the ball.”

Lily gulped but nodded.

“We were supposed to have someone else on this shift, but well,” Kyle paused and looked around, then started whispering. “The manager, Mr. Reynolds, is insane. A word of advice: stay clear from him as much you can.”

“He hired me,” she said, frowning slightly. “He was nice.”

“Thats all for show,” Kyle shook his head. “He wants people to take the job, but once youre on the payroll, he goes crazy.”

“Noted,” Lily said, thankful for the advice.

“OK, new girl,” Kyle rubbed his hands. “Lets start this show!”

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As soon as Lily turned the sign on the door to “OPEN,” a flurry of businesspeople rushed in. She ran to the register and started taking orders. She tried not to be intimidated by some of the more intricate coffee orders and powered through.

She was already feeling in the zone when a hard tap on her shoulder made her jump slightly. It was Mr. Reynolds, and his eyes were blazing.

“Congratulations, new girl,” Mr. Reynolds said. “Youve just managed to get fired on your first day.”

“What? But why, Mr. Reynolds? Did I make a mistake?” Lily asked.

“Yeah, you came to work looking like a clown.” Mr. Reynolds gestured at Lilys bright blue hair. “So get back into your clown car and get out of here.”

Lily ran her fingers through her hair, which shed dyed that weekend. “But theres nothing in the dress code about hair color…I checked, sir.”

Mr. Reynolds sneered. “I shouldve known better than to hire some snotty teenager. You have no understanding of how to present a professional image. Theres no place for someone like you in my coffee shop. Now get out!”

Lily stared at Mr. Reynolds in shock. All her dreams of buying high-quality oil paints died as she faced being jobless once again.

“Hey! You cant speak to my daughter like that!”

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Anger and embarrassment coursed through Lilys veins as she recognized the voice calling out to her. She spun and saw the person she hated most in the world stepping out of his place near the front of the queue: her father.

“Ill talk to my employees, make that former employee, however I like!” Mr. Reynolds yelled back. “If you dont like it, take her back to the circus and dont return.”

Lily looked at the floor in shame as her father, Damian, got close to the register, wanting to keep fighting with her manager. He had walked out on her and her mother, Alison, when she was 13. Although she tried, the memory of that day was always lurking in her consciousness.

Four years ago…

The harsh sound of the car trunk woke Lily up with a start. She was disoriented for a second until her mothers voice registered. “It doesnt have to be this way,” she pleaded. Lily frowned, confused, and lifted her comforter.

Her fingers separated two panels on her windows blinds, and she saw her mother, looking lost and scared with her arms wrapped around herself, confronting her father. Damian was dressed, complete with a coat and hat.

The car was running. “Its the only way,” he yelled, desperate. Dad circled around the car and got into the passenger seat before Alison could say anything else. The glare of the headlights almost blinded her, but he quickly pulled out of the driveway and off into the night.

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Lily watched in horror as her mother — the strongest woman in the world, as far as she knew — covered her face with one hand and sobbed. The sound had her putting on her slippers and running outside.

“Mom!” the 13-year-old wailed. “Mommy, dont cry.”

She wrapped her arms around her mothers waist, leaning her head on Alisons chest.

“Oh, Lily. What are you doing up? Its late,” Mom asked, sniffing.

“Where did Dad go?”

“I dont know,” Alison answered, tightening her hold on Lily.

“When is he coming back?” the young girl demanded.

“I dont know,” her mother replied, shaking her head.

Lily was old enough to put the pieces together. Her father had left, and if her mother had no idea where he went, there was a good chance he was not coming back.

With moisture gathering in her eyes, Lily turned to her manager and saw the expression of a man who thought he was better than everybody. She looked at her father, who looked ready to fight Mr. Reynolds, and couldnt decide which was worse.

Finally, she threw her apron down on the counter. “Fine! Im leaving!” she exclaimed, threw an apologetic look at Kyle, and stormed out of the coffee shops back entrance. She was halfway down the street when her father caught up to her.

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“Lily, wait!” he said. “I want to talk to you… I know you must hate me, but I have so much to explain. There are details you need to know about the day I left.”

“Go away!” Lily yelled, refusing to stop her brisk pace. “I dont care about anything you have to say to me!”

“Please, Lily! I had to go. I didnt have a choice, but Im back now and want to make it up to you.” He grabbed her shoulder, tried to stop her, and pleaded. “If youll just give me ten minutes to explain…”

Wrenching her shoulder off his grasp, Lily repeated that she wanted nothing to do with him. “Forget I exist! I did!” she spat and started walking again, weaving between smartly dressed businesspeople until she reached the subway entrance.

She stomped down the cement stairs and felt it in her soul. Luckily, the next train had just arrived, and she entered discreetly before finally releasing the tears she had no idea were still behind her lids. The 17-year-old couldnt fully release all her feelings in such public, but it was impossible to hold on to her wits.

Aside from being humiliated in front of many coffee shop customers by the manager just for having blue hair, she had to face the man who betrayed her and her mother so horribly. Lily had been a daddys girl through and through until he just picked up and abandoned them.

It was a struggle, not just emotionally but financially. Her mother had only held a part-time gig at the time because her father made good money. But suddenly, Alison was working extra shifts. Lily knew that other 13-year-olds took care of themselves, but her world was upended in a second.

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She had to use the bus to go to and from school instead of being driven by her mother. Lunches and dinners were now her responsibility because Alison had no time. In the meantime, she was mourning the loss of her father, who had changed his number and didnt even write. He was just gone.

It took a while before Alison found a steadier job, but she wanted more of her daughter, so they moved to a better area. Lily exited the subway and walked toward her relatively new townhouse. Her mother had decided Lily needed to be in a better school district to have more chances to get into college and bought a great house.

The mortgage was a little more than they had paid in rent before, so Alison now had a second job. Lily hated seeing her mother working so much, so she couldnt ask for paint supplies from her. She knew Alison would say yes and sacrifice more of herself to buy anything, which only worsened her resentment towards her father.

Hence her deep desire for a job, which had lasted less than half a day. “This must be some sort of record,” Lily muttered after opening the front door. She removed her shoes and let her purse plop on the floor before running to the kitchen for a glass of water.

She downed the liquid in one gulp and washed the tears from her face in the sink. Her hands reached for a paper towel to dry off, and she threw it in the trash can when she was ready. Cringing, Lily kicked the plastic container, a real-life demonstration of what she wanted to do to herself.

“Im never crying for my father again,” the teenager muttered and went to her room. Finally, it was time to concentrate on something more important: her artwork. She propped a canvas up on her desk and took out her paints. The tubes were nearly empty.

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She angrily took the fullest tubes—black, burnt orange, and turquoise—and squeezed some paint out onto the old dinner plate she used as a palette. She then started painting. A few hours later, she stepped back to stare at the result.

“God, it looks like Pollock and Frankenthaler got drunk together and had a blindfolded paint-off on the same canvas,” Lily sighed.

“Well, I think its beautiful,” Alison said from behind her, startling her. “The colors are interesting, but the texture and shapes are amazing.”

“You have to say that. Youre my mother,” Lily chuckled, setting the plate down and running to her mother.

“Oh, sweetie,” her mother returned the hug happily. “You havent hugged me like this in a while.”

“I know,” Lily murmured into her chest. For a second, all she wanted was to tell her mother what happened with Mr. Reynolds and her fathers unexpected appearance. But Alison yawned heavily and leaned her forehead on Lilys head. “Mom, why dont you take a nap?”

“I wanted to make you dinner for a change,” Alison said but yawned.

“No,” Lily stepped away. “You sleep. Ill make dinner. Besides, I already bought the frozen ravioli and sauce you like.”

“That sounds delightful,” her mother sighed happily, nodding. “Alright. Ill have a nap.”

“Ill call you when its ready,” Lily said, watching her mother wobble to her bedroom. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, sweetie,” Alison said, closing her door.

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An hour later, they were at the dinner table, enjoying the sweet scent of cream sauce, bacon, and mushroom on top of doughy, delicious cheese-filled ravioli. Lily hoped to keep their dinner cheery and light-hearted, but Alison asked about her first day at work. She had no choice but to tell her the truth.

“The manager took one look at my hair and fired me on the stop,” the teenager confessed, shrugging in defeat.

“Well, thats just ridiculous!” Mom said. “The man runs a coffee shop, not an investment banking firm. Ive seen a million baristas with crazy hair, piercings, and tattoos. Its almost on-brand to look a little different. What does it matter if your hair is blue?”

“Thats what Id like to know,” Lily sighed. “But I cant do anything about it. My co-worker Kyle had already warned me about the manager. I dont think I couldve asked for a second chance, and I know we shouldnt give up, but I just dont think working for that man wouldve been good. Tomorrow, Ill go looking for a different job.”

“Thats the spirit, sweetheart. This is 2023. Managers need to understand that employees are not doing them a favor. People are working for a living. They deserve respect,” Mom smiled. “Still, I can see youre sad about it. I know its hard, but you cant let life get you down, no matter how difficult it gets. Keep your eyes on the bright future ahead of you, and youll always find a way through any hardships.”

Lily smiled. Her mothers optimism was infectious, but she found that focusing on the future was easier said than done when the present seemed so miserable. No matter how hard she tried to get a new job over the next two weeks, nobody wanted to hire her.

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Soon, she was out of paint supplies and canvases. The bright side was that her mood had rendered excellent results on her artwork. “There truly is something to say about sadness driving creativity,” Lily murmured, putting away her latest piece.

With a sigh, she turned to social media, intent on posting the photos she had taken before, during, and after finishing her new canvas. Lily always did that and garnered a few loyal followers who encouraged her to keep painting.

The cliché image of a lightbulb appeared in her mind when an idea surfaced. Smiling, she created a post to appeal to her friends and followers. Asking people online for help when it wasnt an emergency felt wrong, but it couldnt hurt. After adding her e-wallet details, Lily clicked to post and waited.

A few messages came, telling her the artwork was great, and some contributions started arriving, as evidenced by the notifications on her phone. But it wouldnt be enough. Lily didnt have enough followers for that. Still, she was grateful.

She focused on finding other jobs on online sites and tweeted about accepting commissions for digital work. Lily loved painting in canvases the most, but she had also taught herself how to make drawings online. “At least digital colors and canvases dont run out,” she said, opening the illustrator software to distract herself.

Her frustration grew as the days passed, and no one wanted to hire her. Being 17 didnt help, as she couldnt sign up for most apps. But one morning, Lily was about to leave for another day of fruitless job-hunting when she almost stepped on a huge package on the floor outside the front door.

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She could tell immediately that it wasnt a regular delivery as the package had a big red bow on top and no shipping label. But there was a card with her name on it. With trepidation, Lily grabbed it and went back inside. Her brow furrowed upon reading the card:

For Lily. My favorite artist. I know youll put these to good use.

But she still unwrapped the package, and a quiet gasp escaped her lips at the sight before her. Inside was the set of the high-quality oil paints shed wanted and two large canvases. There was no indication of the sender; for a second, she thought it was her mom. But there was no way Alison could afford that set.

“It must have been someone online,” she breathed but frowned. “Although, I dont know how they got my address. Thats weird.”

She took out her phone and began a live session on social media, telling people about the gift on her doorstep and thanking whoever had done it.

“I cant wait to start working with these! Thank you so much!” Lily expressed to the camera and ended her live session. Forgetting about her job-hunting for the day, she rushed to her room, arranged all the supplies, and started pouring her heart out on the large canvas.

It wasnt until much later that Lily saw one of her newest followers, artlover, had commented: Hope you like them! on her post. She didnt think much of it until she discovered another surprise the next day.

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Lily was bringing in the mail when a plain envelope bearing her name caught her attention. Inside was a local art gallery pamphlet advertising an open exhibition day for young artists. The gallery would also be running a competition with a cash amount and mentorship as the prize for the winning artist.

Her fingers shook as she stared at the pamphlet. This was the opportunity of a lifetime! She had to enter, but dark thoughts lingered in her mind as she wondered who mightve put this in her mailbox.

Her reservations about her mysterious benefactor only grew when she saw artlover had commented on one of her latest posts with a link to the same competition and suggested she enter it. Worries that she may have picked up a creepy internet stalker swirled through her mind all afternoon.

I probably shouldnt have accepted the paint set and stuff, Lily shook her head, staring intently at her computer. Some people gave gifts just because it pleased them, but she had a feeling this person had other intentions.

Additionally, the stalker knew her address. She had been so delighted with the present that she had barely thought about that aspect. The lack of a shipping label meant the creeper came to her house in person to leave it.

Her nerves only got worse as time passed, so Lily couldnt stop herself from confessing everything when her mother arrived and called.

When her mother arrived home that evening, Lily showed her the comments and told her about the package and the pamphlet. Alison clicked on artlovers profile and studied it in silence for several minutes.

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“Okay…this is definitely a bit creepy, but I dont think we can report this to the police,” she said. “Sweetheart, it doesnt look like theyre expecting anything from you.”

“Really?” Lily asked, biting her bottom lip. “But should I try to return what I have left of the paint supplies?”

“No, I think thats unnecessary,” Alison shook her head. “And I know youre going to think Im crazy, but I think you should still put your name down for this open exhibition.”

“But what if artlover is there?” Lily asked. “What if they try to kidnap me or something?”

“Ill be there too,” her mother assured her, “and I wont let anything happen to you. Im not sure about the security at the gallery, but well have to stay and keep an eye on your paintings anyway. Other kids will be there, and artists too. Any danger is unlikely unless you get pulled into an ally. Now that were aware, we can take precautions. Youre carrying around that pepper spray I got you, right?”

“Yeah,” Lily nodded, reaching for her purse. “I havent used it yet.”

“Thats good. We should be fine,” Alison continued, crossing her arms. “You cant miss this opportunity because of this random fan.”

The teenager still had misgivings about entering the open exhibition, but her mother was right. This opportunity to showcase her art was too good to pass up. Shed just have to go there prepared for trouble and trust her mom and the gallerys security to keep her safe.

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Lily worked hard to complete some new paintings during the two weeks leading up to the exhibition. She was so focused and determined to produce a piece worthy of winning the competition that she hardly slept. She was a bundle of nerves when she and Alison carried her paintings into the gallery to set up.

“Its going to be great, sweetheart,” her mother said as they approached the area assigned to Lily. “Your art will be a hit, and that artlover person wont have the balls to do anything while Im around.”

Lily glanced sideways at her mom and hoped she was right.

Soon, Lilys paintings were arranged on easels in a corner of the main room. The gallery opened soon afterward, and gallerygoers poured through the doors. Alison took a moment to go to the restroom, so Lily clutched the pepper spray discreetly and watched as a group of art admirers came to look at her work.

Although Lilys ears were perked and ready, they discussed her paintings in soft voices. She couldnt hear much, except that most of them enjoyed it. The teenager was prepared to listen to all kinds of opinions, but that movement was still nerve-wracking.

“Its amateur at best,” a man scoffed.

“Oh, please,” a woman countered, and Lily could almost feel her rolling her eyes. “You only like things done by already well-known artists. But you cant become anything in this industry that way. Everyone starts somewhere. This work shows incredible potential.”

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“How so?” someone else in the group asked.

“Theres not a lot of technical knowledge, so yes, shes an amateur. But the passion… I feel it,” the woman continued, and Lily grinned stupidly. “This one… she was angry… this one is painful, almost like she is describing something traumatic… and this one is pure delight. Its dynamic. Versatile. Thats what art needs.”

The woman was passionate in her explanations, and Lily wanted to thank her. But she was too shy. Surprisingly, she didnt have to wait much because the woman came right up to her.

“Miss, you made these paintings?” the prim older lady asked.

Lily finally stood. “Yes, maam.”

“These are fantastic, particularly that one,” she pointed to the “pure delight” canvas that Lily had created when she received the new paint sets from artlover.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, Im sorry. Im Miriam,” the woman introduced herself, and Lily was shocked to learn she was a teacher at an esteemed and expensive local art school. Lily dreamed of studying there after high school.

“Its so nice to meet you,” Lily said. The teacher asked about her plans for the future and told her how talented she was and that she should enroll in art school.

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Before Lily could say that she couldnt afford it, her mother wrapped an arm around her waist, “Well, shes considering her options now, but your art school is on the list,” Alison bragged, smiling proudly.

“Excellent!” Miriam commented. “I just cant get enough of that painting, so Im buying it. How much?”

Lilys mouth opened, but no sound came out. Alison took over again. “Were not sure how these things are priced, but I think $150 is fair,” she suggested.

The teacher shook her head. “No, no. This one is worth $350,” she stated, dribbling on her checkbook quickly. “Use this money for more supplies or your future school fund. You, young lady, have real talent.”

Lily beamed at the praise, and her mother only tightened her arm.

When the group left, the teenager turned to her mother and jumped slightly. “My first sale!”

“Im so proud!” her mother exclaimed, sniffing to prevent her joyful tears from falling.

Lily and Alison were both still in awe from that interaction when a familiar interrupted their delight. “I see youve put my gift to excellent use. Im so glad you took my suggestion to enter the competition, Lily.”

Lily turned in horror to see her father standing in the gallery, smiling like he had the right to be there.

“Are you serious? Youre artlover?” she asked, appalled.

“Damian!” Alison uttered, shocked. “What are you doing here?”

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Damians smile faded as he looked from his ex-wife to his daughter. “You didnt tell her you saw me?”

Lily wanted to kick him as her mother swiveled her head. “You saw him?”

“Mom,” the teenager shook her head. “He came to my job and yelled when my manager fired me.” Lily rolled her eyes.

“Why didnt you tell me?” Alison asked, looking hurt.

“I didnt want to worry you, not when youre always tired from working two jobs,” Lily replied, sadly shaking her head. “And anyway, I just walked away and told him to leave me alone.”

“Ally, youre working two jobs?” Damian asked.

“Dont pretend you care about us!” Lily spat. Her hackles raised at the concerned look in her fathers eyes. He had no right to be worried about them, not when he had left them so unceremoniously that night four years ago.

“Alison. Wheres the money Ive been sending?” he asked, and Lily stepped back. Her mother had closed her eyes and crossed her arms.

“Its all in her college fund,” Alison confessed. “I didnt want to use it, so I just saved it for her future.”

“MOM!” Lily exclaimed, grabbing her mothers arm. “Dad was sending money all along? Youve been struggling. Why didnt you use it?”

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“I didnt want to,” she said, ashamed. “I didnt need it. Not when he left…” Her mothers voice broke, and all thoughts of money went out the window.

“See?” Lily looked at her estranged father. “See how you hurt us when you left! We dont need your money. Mom, you can send that back to him. Ill make my own future.”

Her eyes were shining with anger.

“Lily, you have to let me explain,” Damian sputtered. “I didnt want to leave. I had to! To protect you two!”

“Damian!” Alison cautioned angrily.

“I had no choice!” he continued, getting desperate.

“Yes, you did!” her mother cried out. “We couldve gone with you!”

“What kind of life would that have been for her?”

Lilys head was swiveling back and forth between her parents. Their words only got more and more confusing.

“A life where her whole family is still together!” Alison continued, the tears spilling freely. “We wouldve worked things out!”

“No!” Damian retorted, exasperated. “You two wouldve been in much more danger! They didnt know I had a family. It was much better this way.”

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“Then why are you here?” Alison yelled, and Lily finally noticed the eyes of other gallerygoers on them.

“STOP!” she raised her hands. “You two, stop this! Were being watched. Lets go outside.”

They went outside after asking a kind gallery employee to watch out for Lilys paintings.

“OK, its time to tell me whatever you two are arguing about,” Lily said when they were away from curious eyes on a quiet street outside the gallery. “Mom, what do you mean we couldve gone with him?”

“Oh, Lily,” Alison sighed heavily.

“Lily, I was placed in a witness protection program,” Damian revealed.

Lily started chuckling involuntarily. “No, seriously.”

“Lily, Im serious,” her dad continued while Alison nodded. “I was working accounting for several funeral homes when I discovered something wrong in the numbers of a particular one.”

The teenager frowned, crossing her arms. “OK…”

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“They were laundering money, baby,” he added, his voice sobering.

Lilys eyes widened, and she turned to her mother, nodding in confirmation. “Its the truth, Lily.”

“OK. What happened next?”

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“I took the information straight to the police. I was an independent contractor, so the funeral home didnt know anything about my family, and I used to give out my old apartments address. I always forgot to update that info,” Damian explained. “That apartment was trashed. Luckily, they were between tenants, so no one was hurt, but the police contacted some people and told me I needed to hide.”

“You knew about this?” Lily asked her mother, confused and hurt.

“I knew, sweetheart,” Alison replied carefully. “I wanted us to go with him. But your father didnt want that.”

Lily turned to her father.

“Baby, I had no idea how long the investigation would last. How long I would be on the road,” Damian said beseechingly. “I wanted you two free of all that. They didnt know about you yet, but it was only a matter of time. I had to leave immediately. Im sorry I didnt say goodbye.”

“You couldve told me! I was 13, not three,” Lily stated, enraged. “I wouldve understood or tried to. It wouldve been much better than to live with the misconception that my dad left us high and dry.”

“I just was scared, baby,” Damian muttered, rubbing his forehead. “It wasnt an easy decision. I thought you would fight it like your mother, so I just left… to protect you.”

“You couldve told me too, Mom!”

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“I know. But it was too painful. I was too angry at your father for not considering taking us all,” Alison sighed. “I was also angry at him for going to the police.”

“Why?”

“Because it put him in danger,” she shrugged. “I thought it may have been better to ignore whatever he found.”

“But I couldnt do that,” Damian shook his head, smiling slightly.

“OK,” Lily bit her lip. “But whats changed? Why are you back?”

“The owners of the funeral home are finally in prison. I testified for the prosecution, and now, Im free again,” he said, shrugging.

“So, Dad was sending money, and you didnt use it?” Lily asked her mother.

“Yes, I was too angry, too proud,” Alison confessed. “I know it was hard. I shouldve used it, but I did save it for your future.”

“Which means…” Damian started and smiled, “you can go to that fancy art school you want.”

“You heard that teacher?” Lily asked, pleased.

“Yes, I did,” he confirmed. “Ive seen your social media. You are a wonder, baby. Im sorry for missing the last four years and not telling you the truth. But I want to make it up to you. I also saved some money for your college, so you can do whatever you want. Or take a trip, too. Artists need to see the world.”

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“Wait, wait. Were getting ahead of ourselves,” Alison shook her head. “Shes going to college and art school before any trip around the world.”

Lily laughed, and it was a wholesome sound.

“OK, Ally,” Damian acquiesced. “Lets go back inside and see how many paintings our little artist sells?”

“Thats sound like a plan,” her mother nodded.

The event at the gallery was a success. More people told Lily that she had great talent. Unfortunately, the big prize and mentorship went to someone else. But she didnt feel sad, especially knowing that her parents had money saved for her future.

“I dont need comforting, guys. You already secured my future. Someone else needed this grant more than me,” the teenager said when her parents tried to cheer her up.

“You are so wise,” Damian marveled. He spent almost every dinner with Lily and Alison since the gallery event but never stayed the night. No one was ready for that, and Lily had no idea if they would get back together.

“Besides, I have another way of raising some extra money for my supplies,” the teenager announced. “I posted a bunch of photos from the gallery and got more followers. More people are visiting my commissions link, and Ive already got two orders.”

“Thats amazing, sweetheart,” Alison breathed, surprised. “Wow. I had no idea people could still make money from art. I mean, you hear all these stories about starving artists.”

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“Youre not wrong, Mom,” Lily agreed. “Its hard for everyone. Thats why I think going to college and art school is better. Ill have more options. I was thinking about studying business or… accounting.” She grinned at her father, who beamed with pride.

“God, youre smarter than I was,” Damian chuckled. “In college, I was undeclared for so long. It wasnt until I met your mom that I decided accounting was a good idea.”

“Thats right,” Alison added. “I dont know if I told you before, but your father was a partier….”

Lily listened intently to stories about their youth. She vaguely remembered some of these conversations when she was younger, but they felt free to tell her more details now.

The way her parents laughed in unison filled Lilys chest with joy. She had no idea if they were getting back together, but having her whole family back together after those years was amazing.

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This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someones life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.

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