A disabled girl named Molly was feeling down because she didn’t have a date for the prom. Little did she know, a surprise was waiting for her when her dad decided to take her instead. This decision would lead to a life-changing moment for both of them.
“Molly, look! Your dad’s here!” someone said at the funeral, trying to grab the attention of the 17-year-old girl who was standing by her mother Daisy’s coffin, her heart heavy with grief.
Danny, Molly’s dad, and her mom had divorced ten years ago. Since then, all Molly had heard were negative stories about her father, like how he was a ‘drunkard’ and didn’t care about her. Although Molly didn’t harbor any bitterness towards Danny, she missed their father-daughter bond. However, after her mom’s funeral, everything was about to change for Molly.
“Hey, sweetheart!” Danny greeted her with a warm hug, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he placed a beautiful wreath on Daisy’s coffin.
“Sir, is that truck yours? It’s blocking half the parking. You mind moving it?” a guest called out to Danny, who was a truck driver by trade.
“Yeah, that’s my truck. Gimme a second. I just met my daughter. Hope ya understand. Thank ya!” he replied with a grin, his heart swelling with pride.
Danny was overjoyed to finally meet Molly after so many years. The only connection he had with her was through the child support he sent every month. Daisy never allowed him to see Molly because she feared he would be a bad influence on their daughter.
After the funeral, once everyone had left, Danny started packing up Molly’s things. “We’re going to my house,” he told her.
Molly frowned and asked, “A parcel? Who sent it?” as she noticed a package lying nearby. 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,” she protested, feeling lost and unsure.
Danny understood her pain. He knew he couldn’t leave her alone, especially since Molly often needed her wheelchair when her crutches weren’t enough. Due to a condition that had developed in her left leg when she was just six years old, Molly limped, and her heart ached with the burden of her disability.
Two days later, Molly moved in with Danny. Although his house was small and messy, it gave her a sense of comfort and made her feel loved and included.
As the days passed, Danny struggled to care for Molly. Since he had missed so much of her life, he didn’t know how to do simple things, like braid her hair. But Danny was determined. He spent hours watching online videos, practicing until he finally got it right.
He even gave up his bedroom to make sure Molly had a cozy space to sleep. He bought her a fluffy new bed, hoping to create a homey feel for her. Danny tried his best to make Molly feel at home, but there was one thing he kept secret: he often disappeared at night.
Molly had no clue where her dad went after she fell asleep. She could only guess he was out partying with friends, just like her mother had told her many times.
A few days later, Molly stepped off the school bus, her heart heavy. She walked into their home, tears streaming down her face. To her dismay, the door was locked. Behind a flower pot, she found a note: “The keys are under the pot. I’ll be back soon. See ya! – Dad.”
Molly scowled, recalling her mother’s warnings about her dad’s ‘odd’ habits in the evenings. She frowned, believing he was out drinking again, even at four in the afternoon.
Hours went by, but Danny never returned home. Molly, feeling hungry and defeated, cooked herself some pasta, leaving a bit for her dad. She then lay on her bed, sobbing into her pillow.
“If only I were normal, I wouldn’t feel like the odd one out. I would have found a date for the prom,” she lamented, wishing for a different life.
Molly’s teacher had announced the upcoming senior prom at school, and all her classmates had found dates. But not her. No one wanted to take her, and she thought, Who would want to dance with someone who limps?
Her cries were so loud that Danny finally heard her when he returned home late that night.
“What happened, darling? Why are you crying?” he asked, his heart sinking as he rushed to her side.
Molly poured her heart out. “I don’t have a date. I even asked some boys if one of them would at least dance with me during prom, but they refused and laughed. I don’t want to go to the prom, Daddy! I want to be alone! Goodnight!”
She turned her back on him, pretending to sleep, but tears continued to soak her pillow.
Danny couldn’t bear to see his daughter so upset. The next day, he made a plan. He went out and bought Molly a beautiful prom dress, hoping it would bring a smile to her face. On the day of the prom, he had a huge surprise in store for her.
As senior students and their parents gathered outside the prom hall, a loud roar from a truck engine caught their attention.
Danny jumped out of the truck, a huge grin on his face. He carefully placed a wheelchair on the lawn and helped Molly get out, pushing the chair across the red carpet while everyone stared in awe.
When the music started, Danny took Molly onto the dance floor. He lifted her and spun her around in circles, moving to the beat of the music. For that moment, Molly forgot all about her disability. She laughed and squealed with delight as Danny twirled her, his heart full of joy.
“My dad is my real superhero. I love him more than anything else in this world. I feel blessed and proud to say I’m his daughter,” Molly cried out to her friends after their dance, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
Meanwhile, Danny was the star of the night. Parents gathered around him, showering him with praise and applause. As he shared stories about his daughter, he had no idea how much that night would change their lives.
After the prom, Danny and Molly returned home, filled with excitement as they talked about all the fun they had. He tucked her into bed, but after she fell asleep, he quietly slipped out of the house again.
That night, Danny was off to his second job as a caregiver at a local nursing home. Along with being a truck driver during the day, he worked overtime to save money for Molly’s treatment. Years ago, when Molly’s disability was first diagnosed, many doctors had told Danny and Daisy that she might never walk again.
But one doctor had assured them he could help. So, Danny had stopped going out to pubs with friends and focused on working two jobs to pay for Molly’s surgery.
Unfortunately, Daisy had misunderstood his dedication. She thought he was wasting his time at the bar. Danny tried to explain, but Daisy never trusted him, and their constant arguments eventually led to their divorce. But Danny never lost sight of his goal: saving enough money for Molly’s surgery.
The painful memories of his past haunted him, especially on that drive home. He couldn’t shake off the hurtful things his ex-wife had said about him. But as he parked the truck and walked to the mailbox that morning, he found a surprising package waiting for him.
“A parcel? Who sent this?” he wondered, pulling it out. A card on it read: “Dad of the Year!”
Inside, he discovered a check for $10,000 and a note that read:
“Dear Danny, we hope this helps improve your daughter’s life. Good luck with her surgery, and we hope you spend more time with her in the evenings. Best Wishes, Your Prom Buddies!”
Realization hit him like a wave—those parents he had met the night before were behind this generous gift. Tears of joy filled his eyes as he rushed inside to share the wonderful news with Molly.
“Really?! My God, Daddy… This is unbelievable!” she squealed, laughter and tears mixing as she hugged him tightly.
With the money Danny had saved and the generous $10,000 check, Molly finally got her surgery. It was a success, and over time, she was able to walk without crutches, her heart soaring with hope and happiness.
Danny was thrilled and decided to quit his second job. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Molly. Soon, she earned a scholarship to study architecture in another state and would be leaving in just three months.
Danny cherished every moment with her. He taught her how to cook, dance, ride a bike, and even run. His greatest wish was for Molly to live a normal life and never look back at the days when she relied on a wheelchair and crutches.
As they shared laughter and made unforgettable memories together, their bond grew stronger than ever.
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