A father worried about why his daughter often remained behind in the school bus after others left, so he decided to find answers. What he found was not what he expected.
Benjamin Bruce was a single dad who had to step in to become his child’s mother after she passed away. Their daughter, Emily, had been six when it happened.
Ben loved his daughter because, to him, she was all that was left of his beloved wife, and he had also promised her that Emily would be well taken care of no matter what.
To that end, Ben tried his best to juggle work while being present in his daughter’s life. He had no other family he trusted to look after her, so he had to do everything himself.
The first couple of years were rough on him as a parent, and just as he was acclimatizing to the rollercoaster, his daughter hit puberty, and at that point, things got wilder.
She suddenly started going through physical changes right before his eyes, and he knew what they meant — the boys would be coming for her. How could they not; his daughter had his late wife’s red hair and deep green eyes that seemed designed to mesmerize.
Even Ben was not immune to her eyes and had fallen prey to her will multiple times over the years. When she clocked 12, two years after she hit puberty, Emily discovered boys.
That led to her paying a lot of attention to her hair and appearance because she wanted to look good for her school crush. Ben was prepared to beat back boys with a stick if need be, but what he was not ready for was caring for his daughter’s looks.
Emily had to do that herself, but she was terrible at it with no role model to learn from. Ben often just cut her hair short as a child because he knew nothing about hair care, but he had to respect her wishes to keep her hair longer as she grew older.
There was little he would not do for his child, so to help her, he started brushing her hair when it was long enough. He was a big man, and even though he tried to be gentle, he occasionally pulled it out.
“Ouch!!!!” she yelled one day.
“I’m sorry baby,” he apologized quickly, as he always did.
“You need to be more gentle daddy,” she would admonish him sometimes.
Other times, she just endured the pain because she did not want to make her father feel terrible for causing it. Ben felt the sting of his failure each time his daughter complained of her hair getting pulled out, and that made him try to cut her hair again.
“Just get rid of it all,” he would say when they argued about it sometimes. “Your mom kept her hair cropped short and she still looked wonderful.”
“Daddy, I will no longer cut my hair, look how slow its growth is because of how often you cut it in the past,” she would shoot back. In any case, Ben never won the arguments, but he didn’t need to; they stopped coming up after a short while.
Shortly after that, he noticed that his daughter started getting tardy notices from her class teacher, Mrs. Flynn. So he called the woman to find out.
“That’s right, Mr. Bruce. Your daughter has five tardy notices this week alone. Is there anything going on I should know about?” the woman asked him.
“Nothing is going on. Things have been great at home for some time now and I do release her to join the bus early so I’m sure she makes it to school when others do,” he explained.
“Did you notice anything going on with her this past week?” Ben asked.
“Well, I was running late for class once and I saw her alight from the bus rather late even though she should have been in class by that time. The driver probably knows something about it because only they can access the bus at any time.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Flynn, I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Ben told her before ending the call.
Worried about why his daughter was spending extra time on a bus, Ben followed her the next day. True to what Mrs. Flynn told him, he noticed that everyone on the bus alighted when it arrived on the school grounds — everyone but his daughter.
As soon as he could, Ben burst into the bus in a rush thinking the worst but was instead met with the scene of a nice 40-year-old woman combing his daughter’s hair. The woman, Madeline, was the bus driver.
“Mr. Bruce?” the woman exclaimed at his sudden entry as Emily looked up, surprised to see her father.
“Dad? What are you doing here?”
“Hello ma’am,” Ben said after clearing his throat and righting himself. “Sorry about barging in, but I heard my daughter was getting tardy notices so I came to see why.”
“Oh, well in that case, here’s why,” the woman said, gesturing to his daughter’s hair. “I noticed how she seemed to struggle with her hair so I offered to help her brush it every day before she goes to class because she says her rough hair often makes her feel bad.”
“Honey,” Ben said to his daughter. “You never told me this.”
“I just didn’t want you to worry about it,” Emily defended.
Later that day, Ben invited Madeline for coffee. When the bus driver heard about what happened to his wife, she started to cry.
She herself was a cancer survivor, and she was well aware of how lucky she was to have pulled through and was grateful that she could still be there for her own children.
Madeline was convinced she survived for the kids on the bus who needed somebody to talk to or do their hair or whatever, so she begged Ben to find a compromise that would help his daughter.
To that end, Ben spoke to Mrs. Flynn, her teacher, and after explaining things to the woman, Emily was never given a tardy notice again. Ben was grateful to Madeline, and he remained close friends with her for a long time.
What did we learn from this story?
Never jump to conclusions. Ben gave himself a fright when he immediately assumed something sinful was happening between the bus driver and his child, and if he had not taken the pains to confirm it, things might have taken a terrible turn.
Give back when you can. Madeline believed he was spared from death to take care of other kids, and that was what she did. Caring for those kids was her way of giving back, and it left her feeling fulfilled, especially since she was able to touch lives like Emily’s and Ben’s.
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I Decided to Surprise My Husband at Work Only to Discover He Was on Vacation
I thought I would surprise my husband with lunch at work, but I discovered he was on vacation. The following day, skeptical and bewildered, I followed him and discovered a startling secret at my sister’s place. I was forced to reevaluate all of my assumptions about my marriage and my family after what I discovered.
Last Tuesday, I made the decision to surprise Ben at work with lunch. I had prepared his favorite dish, lasagna, all morning. I had some alone time with the kids at school, so I thought it would be a kind gesture. What spouse wouldn’t appreciate receiving a handmade meal and a surprise visit from his wife?
The receptionist at his office looked at me quizzically when I arrived.
She asked, staring at the lasagna in my hands, “You’re here for Ben?”
Yes, I simply wanted to take him lunch. Is he present?
She paused. “Ben has spent the last two weeks on vacation.”
I stood there in shock, attempting to take in what she had said. On vacation? He had informed me that he would be working late every day this week. I felt a knot form in my stomach and a chilly perspiration appear on my forehead. I departed after thanking her.
I attempted to figure it out at home. Perhaps there was miscommunication. However, what sort of miscommunication endures for two weeks? I had a persistent sense that something was seriously wrong. So I resolved to follow him the next day, as any suspicious wife would do.
I requested Mom to watch the kids for the day over the phone the next morning. I told her I needed to run some errands. She didn’t notice the chaos growing inside of me; she was just delighted to help. I decided to follow Ben to see for myself what was actually going on.
I kept my distance as I watched him leave the home and get into his car. He arrived at Kate’s—my sister’s—house after driving across town.
As I watched him get out of the automobile, my jaw fell open. Kate emerged, giving him a loving welcome and guiding him inside.
My thoughts became empty. Did Ben and my sister have an affair? It was unbelievable to me, but was there any other explanation? Tears welled up in me, the anguish of betrayal cutting deep. I needed to be certain.
After parking my automobile a little distance from Kate’s residence, I contacted my attorney, Carla. She had previously managed a few legal issues for us, so I trusted her opinion. With a voice trembling with hurt and anger, I told her everything.
“Julia, get some hard evidence before you jump to conclusions,” Carla replied in a composed and businesslike tone. It’s crucial to be certain before pursuing legal action.
I was aware of her correctness. I returned to Kate’s place and started to prowl around like a spies. Even though I felt absurd, I wanted to find out. I looked in a window.
I went inside and noticed a stack of papers and Ben and Kate hunched over lunch at the kitchen table. They appeared serious, and they occasionally cast glances around as though they were afraid of being discovered.
What schemes did they have in mind? I was more and more certain that something was seriously wrong the more I watched. They weren’t merely having an affair; they had plans.
Hands shaking, I took a couple pictures with my phone. I required evidence, something tangible with which to challenge Ben. My imagination was racing with horrible scenarios of all kinds. What actions did they take?
From my car, I made James a call. He detected the first ring. My brother-in-law James has always been the family’s practical one. He was the cool-headed, steady contrast to Kate’s more impetuous personality, having been married to her for almost ten years.
He and Ben got along well, frequently connecting over their passion for cooking and sports. I had faith in James, and I knew he could help me understand this.
It’s Julia, James. I must speak with you regarding Ben and Kate.
A pause occurred. “Calm down, Julia. What is happening?
My voice trembling, I blurted out, “I think they’re having an affair.”
James exhaled. “Julia, please come on over.” Right now.
With terror and betrayal racing through my head, I ran back to Kate’s place. James’ vehicle was already parked outside when I got there. I slipped up to the home and peered in the window once more. James was seated at the kitchen table with Ben and Kate.
Through the partially open window, I could hear brief chunks of their conversation.
James said, seeming worried, “Julia called me.” “She believes you two are having an affair and is worried sick.”
Ben gave a nod. That means she doesn’t know everything.
“That’s fantastic!” With enthusiasm in her voice, Kate answered.
“Our strategy is working,” Ben continued.
My heart broke. I was done listening. I stormed into the home, fury exploding in me.
“You traitors, you who lie and cheat! How could you subject me to this?
Ben and Kate gave me a shocked expression. James got up and tried to reassure me.
“Please, Julia, allow us to clarify.”
“What should I explain? that my sister is the object of my husband’s infidelity?” Tears were flowing down my face as I yelled.
In an attempt to reassure me, Ben remarked gently, “Julia, it’s not what you think.” “I worked on a surprise for you while I was on vacation.”
I gave a sour laugh. “A revelation? Is it unexpected to meet at Kate’s place every day?
“Yes,” Ben responded in a firm voice. “I had intended to fulfill your dream. You’ve always mentioned wanting to open a coffee shop, correct?
I blinked, not sure what to think. “What?”
Kate moved forward while carrying a stack of documents. “Ben has been purchasing a coffee shop for you with his inheritance. Here, we have been working on the company plan and all the related legal documentation.
My frustration began to give way to perplexity and a flicker of hope. “A coffee shop? For me, please?
After giving me a nod, Ben took out a folder and gave it to me. “See, these are the files. Everything from the restoration ideas to the lease. I waited for it to be flawless before telling you. I wanted to make sure James and Kate, who are co-investors, are fully on board.
I peered at the documents, tears clouding my vision as I read them. Everything was in one place. The coffee shop I had always imagined was the evidence of his devotion and love. Ben stopped me before I collapsed because my knees gave up.
How awful it is, Ben. I truly apologize. I considered… I believed you to be.
He gave me a hard hug and whispered, “I know.” “I wanted it to be a surprise, but I should have told you.” When I gave you the keys, I wanted to see your face.
“I cry so much into his chest, I’m such an idiot.” “I truly apologize.”
“Shhh, don’t worry. I can see why you had such feelings. But I do adore you, Julia. I’d never turn on you.
I felt the weight of my error as I nodded. “I’m grateful, Ben. I am very grateful for what you have done.
We went to sign the last set of documents the following day. We owned the coffee shop. It was hard for me to believe. I was ecstatic as soon as I entered the charming little area and could smell the aroma of freshly baked pastries.
Ben gave me a tight squeeze. “Baby, this is all for you. I have faith in you.
I grinned, happy tears rolling down my cheeks. “Love, I adore you. I appreciate your confidence in me.
Together, we transformed the coffee shop into a wonderful place. It developed into a place where hopes were realized and where trust and love were the key components of every dish.
In retrospect, I see how crucial communication and trust are to a relationship. Misunderstandings can occur, but what matters most is how we respond to them.
The smell of freshly baked goodies filled my coffee shop as I stood there feeling appreciative of Ben’s constant love and support. Together, we had weathered the storm and emerged stronger.
Sometimes all it takes to see the reality behind the secrets is a little trust and a lot of love, so to anyone out there who feels like their relationship is in peril. And occasionally, such secrets can become the most exquisite revelations of all.
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