After my wife passed away, I didn’t get to see my daughter very often, though we talked every day. On my 80th birthday, all I wished for was to see her, so I decided to drive over to her apartment, hoping to surprise her. When she opened the door, she looked apprehensive and startled. “Dad, what are you doing here?” she asked softly. I smiled and said, “I just wanted to spend my birthday with you.” Her expression changed, and she seemed to hesitate before responding, “Dad, you can’t stay. I have so much happening right now.”
This reaction shocked me. She had never acted this way before. Feeling hurt, I replied, “Alright, I’ll just wait on the sofa until you’re free.” But she was firm, almost pushing me out the door. “No, Dad, you really need to leave right away.” Reluctantly, I turned to go, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. As I walked to my car, I heard noises coming from inside her apartment. My curiosity piqued, I peeked through the living room window.
Inside, I saw two strangers moving around briskly. My heart began to race, and worry surged through me. What was going on? Why were these people in her home, and why was she acting so strangely? I decided to back away and call the police. Within minutes, they arrived and carefully approached the apartment.
After a nerve-wracking few moments, the officers emerged, leading the two strangers out in handcuffs. My daughter followed them, tears streaming down her face. “Dad, I’m so sorry,” she cried, rushing to hug me. “I was trying to protect you. Those men broke in just before you arrived. I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
Relief washed over me as I held her tight. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m just glad you’re safe.” The police took our statements and assured us that the intruders would face justice. My daughter and I then sat on the same sofa I had originally intended to wait on, and we spent the rest of the day together. Despite the scare, it turned out to be the best birthday I could have imagined. Knowing that my daughter had sought to protect me at all costs made me cherish our bond even more.
