Emily thought purchasing her dream car would be a straightforward and exciting step, but her father’s odd reluctance made her question everything. Little did she know that his secret reason would lead her into a situation she could hardly have imagined.
After years of striving through internships, part-time jobs, and a disastrous summer selling overpriced skincare products, Emily had finally made it. She landed a real job with a steady paycheck, benefits—everything needed to start adult life. And the first thing on her to-do list? Buy a car.
But this wasn’t just any car. It was the car. The one she dreamed about during her lunch breaks, pretending to drive it instead of biting into yet another salad. Sleek, shiny, built to last—she could almost see the envy in her friends’ eyes as they spotted it in her driveway—at least that’s what she told herself.
This car was special not just for its leather seats or its tech that outdid her apartment’s. This car had a family history. Her father, Tom, had always raved about this model ever since she could remember cars. “That’s the one, Emily,” he’d affirm every time they spotted one on the road. “Solid, reliable. If I were to buy a car today, that would be it.
So, it had to be this car. It wasn’t just about her. It was… well, it was complicated.
When Emily called her dad to share the big news, she expected him to share her excitement. She could almost hear his voice in her head, “Good choice, Emily! You’ve always had an eye for the right stuff.” But when he picked up the phone, his reaction was… different than she expected.
“Do you really want that one?” His usually confident voice wavered as if he was suddenly unsure of everything. It wasn’t like him and it threw Emily off.
“Yes, Dad,” she replied, trying to inject some of her excitement into the conversation. “It’s the one you’ve always loved. The reliable and solid one, remember?”
He hesitated. A long pause that tightened her stomach a bit. “I don’t know, Emily. Maybe you should reconsider. These models… they have issues.”
Emily blinked. “Issues? Since when? You’ve been praising this car for years.”
“For me, of course,” he said distantly. “But for you… maybe something more affordable. Used, even.”
Used? He had to be joking, right? After everything she had been through, climbing out of tough times to land a real job, she deserved this. The new car smell and all.
“Dad, I’m not going to waste my money on something silly,” she said, trying to remain calm. “It’s a great car. I’ve done my research.”
He sighed, and it felt like he was miles away. “Think about it, Em. There’s no rush.”
That’s when things became urgent. But she wasn’t going to tell him that. So she muttered something like, “Yes, of course, I’ll think about it,” and hung up. She stared at her phone, his words echoing in her head. Since when was her dad so against the only car he had always praised?
In the weeks that followed, she kept bringing it up, trying to push him to regain the enthusiasm she was expecting. Each time, he found a new reason to reject the idea. “Wait a bit longer,” he’d say. “It’s not the right time.”
Emily felt torn. On one hand, this was her chance to do something big, for herself—at least, that’s what she believed. On the other, her father’s strange behavior made her question everything. Why was he so worried?
Eventually, she had enough. One Saturday, she got up early, put on her favorite jeans, and went to the dealership. No more hesitations. It was happening.
Upon arrival, the car was even more perfect in person. The paint sparkled in the sun, the interior was spotless, and the engine purred like a happy cat. She took a deep breath, letting the satisfaction wash over her. This was it. The car her dad had always admired, the one she was finally going to buy. This was meant to be.
But when it came time to handle the paperwork, the salesman, Mark, explained there was a slight issue with the payment. Emily’s credit report showed less available credit than expected and there was a $30,000 loan in her name that was 90 days overdue.
Shocked, Emily had no idea about any loan. This led her to investigate, and she discovered the loan had been taken out through an old joint account she had with her father when she was a teenager—an account she hadn’t touched in years. The only explanation was that her father had taken out this loan without her knowledge.
Confronting her father over the phone, he admitted to taking out the loan to buy a boat he thought they could afford. He didn’t want to worry her. This betrayal, using her credit without her consent, led Emily to a difficult decision—she ended up reporting her father for identity theft. It was a painful choice, but she felt it was necessary to protect her future.
This narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of family relationships. Emily’s journey from excitement about a new car to dealing with her father’s betrayal shows a deep personal trial, one that changes her relationship with her father forever.
Poor Man Houses Family in His Old Trailer during Storm, Finds Dozen of Boxes near Home Next Day – Story of the Day
Adam and his family sit down for dinner with the radio on—only to be interrupted by a severe weather warning. As the night progresses, the storm worsens, forcing the family to take refuge in the dilapidated trailer in their yard.
Adam took out bowls from the cabinet to set the table for dinner. In their modest kitchen, Maggie, his wife, was perfecting a fish stew on their two-plate stove.
“Parsley with fish stew, yes or no?” she asked.
“Yes, my mom used either parsley or coriander,” Adam replied.
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Maggie reached for the parsley in the yellow pot on the windowsill. She loved growing her herbs and vegetables. She called it her weekend hobby. But Adam knew the real reason was that they would always have some fresh vegetables she could cook for their meals. That way, their family would always have food.
He set the table and took out some bread, listening to the laughter from the kids’ room.
Adam smiled, then winced, remembering his twisted ankle from work. He worried about his boots that had landed in a puddle of water at the construction site; he needed them dry for work, or he’d be in the office room, doing paperwork, and face reduced hours and pay. He also needed to buy Maggie’s epilepsy medication.
“Dinner is ready. Can you get the kids?” Maggie asked, distracting him from his thoughts.
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“Of course. Maybe we can listen to some music during dinner?”
Maggie smiled and turned on the radio.
In the kids’ room, Emma, 8, was lying on her bed, and Charlie, 5, was coloring a dinosaur drawing.
“Did Emma draw that?” Adam asked Charlie.
“I did, Dad,” Emma said, sitting upright. “I finished my homework early and drew it for Charlie so he can color it.”
Adam praised her effort and called them to dinner, reminding them to wash their hands first.
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In the kitchen, Maggie had served the stew and bread. She lit two candles, making the simple setup a little special for their children. Adam watched her steady herself against a chair.
“Are you okay, Mommy?” Emma asked as she sat down.
“I am,” Maggie replied. “It’s just been a very long day, and I’m ready for bed.” She went back into the kitchen to get a pitcher of water.
“But you have to eat first, Mommy!” Charlie said, breaking off a piece of bread.
“And that’s exactly what Mom is going to do,” Adam said firmly. The last time she skipped a meal, her blood pressure had dropped so low that Adam had to take her to the clinic.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Are you okay?” he asked Maggie.
“I just feel this intense pressure in my head,” she said. “The last time this happened, there was that huge storm. So, we’re probably going to get a storm tonight. That’s all.”
Adam believed her–after Maggie was diagnosed with epilepsy, she had read most of the books in the town’s library related to it. And since then, she has become really good at managing it. If Adam had to think about it, she had very few seizures since she started her epilepsy research.
“But you’re feeling fine, otherwise?”
“Yes. I’ll just have to be careful if there’s any lightning, that’s all,” she said, returning to the table.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“So, tell us about school,” Maggie asked the kids as she sat down.
“I have an upcoming science project. We can make a tornado or a volcano,” Emma said.
“Dad, how do we make a tornado?” she asked Adam.
“We could try to make a structure out of steel wool,” he suggested. He always enjoyed doing projects with the kids.
As they ate, rain began, and the radio’s music was interrupted by a severe weather warning.
“A tornado warning is in effect…take cover immediately. Stay indoors. Do not go outside. Keep windows closed shut. This is a dangerous and unpredictable situation, folks.”
Maggie and Adam exchanged worried glances, concerned about their weak roof.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“Dad, what’s happening?” Emma asked.
“There’s a storm warning, but we’re prepared,” Maggie told Emma.
They finished dinner in silence.
***
Adam looked outside the kitchen window at the intensifying rain. “At least my head predicted this one,” Maggie quipped, washing dishes.
Adam was concerned about the roof and his ankle pain.
“We’ll be fine, Adam,” Maggie said, noticing his worried expression. “We just need to keep the children calm.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
Adam glanced outside again, noting the worsening weather conditions. He needed to hold a family meeting immediately.
***
“Okay, family meeting,” Adam said, sitting beside his children. “We’re going to sleep in our clothes tonight, not pajamas.”
“Why?” Charlie asked.
“You heard the weatherman,” Adam replied. “We need to be ready for anything.”
“Exactly,” Maggie added.
A few hours later, Maggie and Adam had gotten the children into their most comfortable but warm clothes and were asleep in their bedroom. Maggie wanted the whole family to sleep in one room.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Adam awoke in the middle of the night and walked around the house. The power had gone out a while ago, so he used his old, reliable flashlight. He was grateful for the fact that Maggie was asleep with the children as well. He wasn’t sure how they would handle Maggie having a seizure at this moment when the thunder and lightning had started.
As Adam stepped into the children’s bedroom, he could hear dripping. He raised his flashlight at the ceiling and noticed a growing leak. “Damn it,” he muttered, placing a bucket under the leak. But the situation was bad. The roof could collapse at any moment.
Waking Maggie, he showed her the worsening situation. “We have to get out, right?” Maggie asked, alarmed.
“I’ll clear out the trailer,” Adam decided as Maggie gathered food and water.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Adam braved the storm to reach the trailer, struggling against the wind and rain. Once inside, he began preparing it as a temporary shelter.
Adam had received the run-down trailer from a friend. He wanted to fix it for family road trips but didn’t have the money for it. Over time, the trailer became storage for tools and miscellaneous items.
While trying to make space for his family, Adam noticed the mold inside the trailer. He didn’t want to bring his kids into such an environment, but he didn’t have a choice. His ankle pain worsened due to the rain and cold, but he kept going.
Meanwhile, Maggie watched him clear the clutter from their trailer. She knew he was in pain from a swollen ankle. When Adam returned, they awoke Emma and Charlie and rushed to the trailer.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
Adam, shielding Emma from the rain, led the way. Maggie followed with Charlie. Adam then returned to the house for towels, clothes, and other necessities.
In the trailer, Maggie made the beds while Emma and Charlie watched the storm.
“Come here,” she called them.
“When Dad comes,” Emma said, pouting.
Maggie couldn’t blame them. Although the house was just across the lawn, having been in the wind and rain had made them realize the severity of the situation.
***
“There he is!” Emma exclaimed as Adam returned, soaked.
Adam, in pain, struggled with his boots. Maggie helped him take them off, wishing she could do more. The family settled in as the storm raged.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
After his family fell asleep, Adam watched their house succumb to the storm. There was nothing he could do to save their home. Seated in the driver’s seat, he dozed off.
The next morning, the rain was gone, and the sun shone brightly. Adam and Maggie looked out of the trailer at their damaged home.
“We’ll fix it,” Adam reassured Maggie, despite financial worries.
“Where is the roof?” Emma asked, seeing the damage.
“It was the storm, honey,” Adam explained.
“Adam, what’s that?” Maggie asked, pointing to a pile of boxes sitting right next to the trailer door, covered by a tarp.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
Adam opened the boxes one by one and found water, food, and essentials. He even found painkillers in one of the boxes.
Meanwhile, Maggie found a message among the supplies, and it read:
“The library was untouched by the storm. Come here when you’re ready,” it said.
Deciding to investigate, the family walked to the library. When they arrived, they saw people milling around. Inside were tables set up with different items if people needed them. There was a play area for kids, too.
“I was so worried,” Diane, Maggie’s friend and the librarian, said as she approached them. “I heard that your side of town was hit the most by the storm!”
“It was pretty bad,” Maggie told her. “We stayed in the trailer until it calmed down. But we saw that most of our roof had caved in this morning.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“Oh no!” Diane exclaimed, clutching Maggie’s hand.
“I’m going to take the kids to the play area,” Adam told them and took them away.
“Adam is really stressed out by the whole thing,” Maggie said.
“I understand,” Diane told her. “Did you get the boxes?”
“That was you?” Maggie asked, holding onto her hand tighter.
“Yes, but I asked my son to drop it off because I had to set up here,” Diane explained.
“Thank you, Di,” Maggie said.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Maggie’s eyes welled up. Having someone looking out for them meant that Maggie and Adam could take a moment to breathe. They could sit back knowing their children were safe in the library, surrounded by adults and other children in the same situation. And for that, Maggie was grateful.
“Listen, I know you’re probably stressed about where to go,” Diane said. “But you must know that my home is open to your family. And it’s not just a temporary place until you find something else. You can stay for as long as you need, Maggie. I mean it.”
Maggie nodded and pulled Diane into a hug.
“I wouldn’t know how to thank you,” Maggie said against Diane’s hair.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“You could help me cook,” Diane said, grinning. “You know I hate cooking.”
Maggie laughed.
Meanwhile, Emma and Charlie found other children from their school and ran to play in the library area dedicated to them. Adam stood alone, watching them and grinning when a nurse approached him.
“Sir, do you need anything?” she asked.
“Uh,” he paused. “Actually, yes. My ankle,” he said. “I twisted it at work yesterday, and I’ve been on my feet ever since. Do you think you can look at it?”
“Of course, come with me,” she said.
Adam let himself be led by the nurse to another corner of the library where the medical supplies were. She examined his ankle.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Oh, boy,” she said. “This must hurt.”
“Like hell,” he agreed.
After the nurse had taken care of Adam’s ankle, she released him with strict instructions. “I know you want to get to your wife and children, fine. But find them and sit down,” she said.
Adam thanked her and left.
When he found Maggie, she was sipping on some tea with Diane.
“Adam, Diane brought the boxes,” she said.
“Diane,” he said, sitting down next to them. “Thank you. But how can we repay you?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“By staying with me until your home is sorted. My son is leaving to return to university on Monday, so I’ll be alone again. Your family will bring my home some joy.”
Adam smiled and took her hand. “Thank you,” he said. “Truly.”
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If you enjoyed reading this story, you might like this one about a couple who brought home their adopted son only to find him nursing a strange baby in his room the next day.
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