Pancakes.
Eggs.
Toast.
Fruit.
Coffee.
Sophie sat at the table in her new chair.
But Ethan barely noticed the food.
Because leaning against the wall—
was a brand-new guitar case.
He stopped in the doorway.
His entire body froze.
Nathan watched him.
Then rubbed a hand across his jaw.
“Yesterday evening, I came home and found out two things.”
He looked toward Sophie.
“First, I found out how badly my daughter’s wheelchair had deteriorated.”
Sophie looked guilty.
Nathan continued:
“And how much she had been hiding from her mother and me.”
Then he looked at Ethan.
“Second…”
His eyes grew wet.
“…I learned that a thirteen-year-old kid from Willowcrest Middle School sold the possession he loved most because he couldn’t stand watching my daughter struggle.”
Ethan’s face turned red.
“She needed it, sir.”
Nathan nodded.
“I know.”
His voice cracked.
“That’s exactly what Sophie told me you would say.”
THE ENTIRE SHIFT CONTRIBUTED
