I waited near the folding chairs for over twenty minutes, watching the father-daughter dance start without my dad. Everyone was dancing—even the janitor, Mr. Wheeler, who looked so happy with his niece. Just when I thought he wouldn’t come, the door creaked open. Wearing jeans, his vest, and his usual hat, my dad’s eyes met mine, full of regret. “You’re late,” I said. He gave me a rose and said, “I had to stop somewhere first.”
“Where?” I asked. He paused, then said, “I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t stop us from having this night.” I knew he meant mom. They divorced years ago, and things have been rough since. I told her I wouldn’t miss another father-daughter dance,” he said.
That night was amazing. I forgot he was late because he was truly present. On the way home, he told me, “Mom’s moving to St. Louis and wants you to go with her, but I won’t let that happen if you don’t want to.” I froze. Moving wasn’t what I wanted. All my friends and school were here. “Don’t worry now. We’ll see how things go,” he said, stopping for pizza.
Soon after, mom sought sole custody, dad fought it, and the court let me decide. I explained that dad wasn’t always there but fully committed when he was, and mom sometimes didn’t listen. I chose to stay with dad. Mom was sad but accepted it and visited on weekends. Now in college, I have good relationships with both parents. Most importantly, they’re there for me. Since that dance, dad has never missed showing up.