When Benjamin Bruce noticed that his daughter, Emily, was often the last one to get off the school bus, he knew something was wrong. As a single father, Ben had faced many challenges after losing his wife, but this situation was something new.
After Emily’s mother passed away when she was just six, Ben dedicated himself to being both parents. Emily was his last connection to his wife, and he made it his mission to ensure her safety and happiness. But as Emily grew older, Ben realized that parenting was only getting more difficult.
With no nearby family to lean on, Ben juggled his job with raising Emily. He thought things had finally settled, but when Emily entered her teenage years, new challenges arose. Her vibrant red hair and striking green eyes, a gift from her mother, made her stand out. Ben knew that soon enough, boys would start noticing her, which added to his worries.
Ben also struggled to help Emily with her appearance. With no mother to guide her, Emily’s long, unruly hair often became a source of frustration. Ben did his best to help, but with his large hands, he sometimes tugged too hard while brushing it.
“Ouch, Daddy! You’re pulling too hard!” Emily would complain.
Feeling guilty, Ben often suggested cutting her hair short, like her mom used to wear it. “It would be easier to manage,” he said, trying to convince her.
But Emily was adamant. “No way, Dad! You’ve cut it enough already. I want to keep it long.”
While they never resolved that disagreement, a new problem soon appeared. Emily’s teacher, Mrs. Flynn, began sending home tardy notices. Confused, Ben reached out to understand why Emily was consistently late.
“Mr. Bruce, Emily has been late several times this week. Is everything okay?” Mrs. Flynn asked.
Ben was puzzled. “She gets on the bus on time every morning. I don’t understand why she’s late.”
“Well,” Mrs. Flynn explained, “I noticed she was getting off the bus much later than the other students. Maybe the bus driver knows why.”
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