Wads of cash were discovered beneath Daisy, Crystal’s young daughter,’s bed as she was tidying the house. She approached the girl out of curiosity and nervousness, and when she learned the devastating reality, tears filled her eyes and she made an immediate call to her ex-husband.
Hello everyone, and a special hello to all the single mothers out there who understand what it’s like to have their own little world to tend to.
Allow me to present you to my universe: Daisy, my darling daughter. She’s everything to me, and she turned eight recently. I get out of bed in the morning because of her.
That was quite the week. It was cleaning day, so I hurried home with my supplies after getting Daisy on the school bus.
It was time to tackle Daisy’s room after loading the washing machine and cleaning the living room. I anticipated the typical chaos.
Daisy’s room was in its typical delightful disarray. There were small shoes, coloring books, and dolls all around the place. After returning her toys to their proper locations, I began vacuuming.
As I was going to vacuum, I noticed something beneath her bed. I got down on my hands and knees and felt beneath her bed. I felt my fingers against a few cartons. I initially believed them to be toy storage or old shoeboxes.
I took them out out of curiosity, not knowing what I might find.
I let out a gasp as soon as I opened one of the boxes. There was a tidy pile of twenty and five dollar bills inside. I was shaking my hands while counting.
A few hundred dollars? Where did my small kid earn this enormous sum of money? Furthermore, what was she going to do with it?
As I sat on her bed, questions kept popping into my head.How did she manage to amass such wealth? Did she have something to hide from me?I felt my heart race at the notion of facing her.
I quickly cleaned Daisy’s room and then grabbed the boxes to put them on the living room coffee table. I required clarification. I was unable to focus on anything else.
Daisy was beaming and talking about her day when she got home that afternoon. “Look what, Mama! At lunch, we split sweets, and I received a star for my drawing!
The moment she laid eyes on the money boxes, her joy turned to sadness. She paled, pausing in the middle of her statement, her shocked eyes wide.
“WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS CASH?” I made a demand while displaying a $5 bill. My voice trembled with rage and terror. My heart was thumping louder than ever in my chest, and I could feel it.
Daisy reached for the money, tears welling up in her eyes, but I withheld it. “No, Daisy, not until you explain everything to me.”
Her voice broke as she whimpered, “Mommy, please.” “Daddy is the recipient.”
“What do you mean, Daddy is the recipient?” I let out a gasp. “Why is this money necessary for Daddy?”
Daisy filled the room with her sobs. “Please, mom! Return it. Take my money, please. It’s for Daddy, please! She repeated herself.
I was taken aback. William, my ex-husband, was a prosperous businessman who resided overseas. How could he possibly need money from our daughter?
“Why? Has Dad explained to you why he needs it? I asked, attempting to seem calm. Daisy was crying nonstop, so I gave her a hug and dried her tears.
Her little body shook in my arms, and I regretted bringing her to tears.
“Sweetheart, tell me the truth. What is the purpose of this? I enquired. Even though my heart hurt, I had to know. I had to know what the hell was going on.
Daisy’s large, tearful eyes were fixed on me. “Daddy said that if I want to see him, I have to pay him,” she trembled in her whisper.
My heart fell. “He stated THAT?” My hands went to my mouth in amazement as I gasped.
“What kept you from telling me sooner?” Holding my daughter, my voice cracking, I continued.
I was trying not to cry, but there was a lump in my throat. William, how could he have asked for money to visit our daughter? How was he able to?
Daisy sniffed and used her sleeve to wipe her nose. “Mommy, I didn’t want you to worry,” she remarked in a scarcely audible voice.
“Please tell me where you got this money, honey.” I softly pressed, attempting to keep my voice from sounding panicked.
A female selecting cash from a container | Source: Midjourney
Another worry snuck in before I could understand the first. Had Daisy taken off with this cash? I had to make sure. I enquired as to whether she had taken the money from someone else.
Daisy’s sparkling eyes shot up at me. “No, mother! I didn’t pilfer. My lunch money, birthday money, and Christmas money were all saved. She sniffled and said, “I even sold some of my Barbie dolls and toys.”
My stunned gaze grew wider. “To see your father, you did all that?”
Tears were running down her face as she nodded. “Mom, all I want to do is see him.” I really do miss him.
Tears of rage and despair filled my eyes. “My poor baby, you shouldn’t have to go through this to see your father,” I said, quivering as I gave my daughter an embrace. “That is incorrect.”
I went to the balcony and got my phone so I could call William. He had a great deal to explain.
William seemed astonished as he answered in two rings. “Crystal? Is everything in order?
I did not squander it. Did you let Daisy know that she must pay you to see her? I challenged.
After a little silence, he said the words “What? What you’re talking about is beyond me.
William, stop acting like a baby! How dare you want money from our daughter? I yelled.
An image of a man on the phone from Midjourney
“Whoa, whoa! I get it now,” he groaned. Daisy asked me a few months back why I never went. I informed her that I was working really hard and trying to make money.
“Oh, God, William,” I cried, and my head whirled. Did you say anything else to her?
When she made a joke about paying me to come see her, I responded, “Yes, sweetie, you have to pay Daddy for his time.” Crystal, it was a prank. I overlooked it. Why?” he asked nonchalantly.
My blood started to boil. William, you are a fool! Are you aware of your actions? Daisy had been saving money solely to see you because she took it seriously. I lost it.
“Oh my God! Really? With genuine concern in his voice, he inquired.
With barely control over my tears, I spat out, “You’ve broken our daughter’s heart.”
A protracted silence ensued. He mutely remarked, “I had no idea she took it seriously.” “I’d never deliberately harm her. You are aware of that, correct?
“I feel like I don’t know what to think anymore,” I said, feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances.
About the money under Daisy’s bed, I blurted out. I cried as I said, “She’s been saving every penny, selling her toys, just to see you.”
William stumbled, obviously uneasy. “I didn’t know,” he stumbled to himself. “I didn’t intend to harm her.”
I cried out incoherently. Are you aware of the damage you’ve caused to her? She has been bearing this load by herself.
“This needs to be fixed,” I firmly stated. “You have to make this right by speaking with her.”
On the other end, nothing was heard. Then he said, “Please give our daughter the phone.” I must speak with her.
I went up to Daisy, wiping away my tears. She was somberly holding her teddy bear. “My dad wants to talk to you, sweetie,” I murmured as I gave her the phone.
Her hands trembled as she picked up the phone, her eyes wide with terror and hope. “Dad?” she muttered.
I turned to leave, ready for whatever statement William may make next. All I could do was hope he’d put things right.
Daisy ran up and threw herself into my arms a few moments later. She was sobbing, but happily. “Daddy said he would see me the next weekend, Mom! He’s on his way! He’s going to get me my candy and my beloved dolls!”
It was unbelievable to me. William did confirm when I called him. To please Daisy, he was flying thousands of miles and quitting his job.
“Are you certain?” Still astonished, I questioned.
Indeed, Crystal. I’ll be there. I swear, he murmured, his voice full of earnestness.
I felt a wave of relief and thankfulness as I hung up. “Daddy is coming to see you, Daisy. I turned to face my daughter and said, “You don’t have to worry anymore.”
Her eyes were wide as she glanced up at me. “Hooray!” Mama, I’m so delighted! My heart began to melt the moment she chirped.
I told Daisy that night as I put her to bed, “Sweetheart, there’s something you need to know—you can’t buy time with money.” Okay, let’s put this money away for your birthday.
As I placed the money in her piggy bank, she nodded, looking a little upset but understanding. “Daddy isn’t interested in the money,” I grinned. “He wants you to hold onto it and put money aside for a special treat!” Daisy tightened her grip on the piggy bank, mirroring my smile.
I’m happy that everything worked out successfully because my daughter is bursting with anticipation to meet her father soon. Maybe screaming at William wasn’t the best course of action in retrospect, but really, put yourself in my situation! What action would you have taken?
