“Dad, you don’t have to do this,” Tiffany finally said, her voice a fragile whisper. I paused, my hand on the doorknob. “I do, sweetheart. Sometimes standing up for yourself means walking away.” The door closed behind me with a quiet finality that echoed down the empty street as I made my way to a… CONTINUE READING »
The note read: 22 missed calls. All from the same number. Tiffany. I sank onto the edge of the bed, the phone heavy in my hand as I contemplated calling back. Our last conversation had been a turning point, not just for me, but for our relationship. The ball was in her court now. Would… CONTINUE READING »
They say money can’t buy love, but my ex-husband’s new wife thought a $1,000 prom gown could win my daughter’s heart. She teased me in front of my girl and tried to prove she was superior. But in the end, all she left with was embarrassment… and everyone saw it happen. I’m Willow. It’s been… CONTINUE READING »
Our daughter, Liora, is 17 now — all long limbs and grand ambitions, with that keen teenage insight that sometimes makes me marvel at how she sees things so clearly. She’s graduating high school this spring and will begin college in the fall. Somewhere between school and her part-time job at the bookstore, she fell… CONTINUE READING »
My heart dropped, as it always does when the finances don’t match up. I work two jobs to keep food on the table and the utilities paid. There’s little left for extras. “It’s gorgeous, sweetheart,” I said, wiping my hands on my apron. “Truly beautiful.” Liora’s smile dimmed slightly… that soft disappointment kids hide when… CONTINUE READING »
Liora wanted something simple and refined — something special but not overdone. We picked a soft peach fabric that shimmered in the light, with a snug bodice and a long, flowing skirt. I ordered the fabric online with my credit card, trying not to stress about the price. Each night, after my second job, I… CONTINUE READING »
When Gideon uncovers a crushing secret hidden in his daughter’s college savings, he’s forced to confront the woman he thought he could rely on — and make a heart-wrenching choice between maintaining harmony and upholding his principles. A peaceful household begins to fall apart in this poignant, emotional tale about love, boundaries, and devotion. When… CONTINUE READING »
But sometimes? “Steady” is just another word for quiet. And I think I’ve been quiet for too long. My name’s Gideon. I’m 46. I have a daughter named Nora — she’s 18 now — and she’s been the constant rhythm of my life since the day she was born. Her mom passed away when she… CONTINUE READING »
Still, I made an effort. We marked both their birthdays equally. We shared meals as a family. Trips were for all of us. I wanted things to feel fair. And that included finances. I’d been saving for Nora’s college since she was a baby. It was a vow her mother and I made — to… CONTINUE READING »
Still missing. Ten grand. That’s not pocket change — that’s tuition. Textbooks. Housing. With my palms clammy, I called Nora. She answered immediately. “Hey, Dad,” she said. “I was just thinking of you. Jess and I are cooking ramen, and I remembered that time you dumped, like, half a jar of ginger in it!” She… CONTINUE READING »