THE GIRL GETS A JOB AS A MAID IN NEW YORK AND FINDS A PHOTO OF HER MOTHER IN HER BOSS’S OFFICE
“I’m going to do an excellent job,” Caroline told herself before her first day at work. She and her friend, Melissa, had moved to New York a few days ago to fulfill their dream of becoming Broadway stars.
But first, they needed jobs to afford to rent an apartment together. Fortunately, Melissa got a job at a clothing store, and Caroline secured a position through a cleaning agency.
When Caroline arrived at the house she was supposed to clean, she entered using the key under the doormat and immediately got to work. After finishing the kitchen and living room, she moved to the office, where she noticed the pictures on the shelf above the fireplace.
Among them, one caught her attention particularly: it was a picture of her mother, looking about 18 years younger. “Why is my mother in this man’s photos?” she said aloud.
At that moment, an older man entered the office. “Oh, good day! You must be the new maid. I’m Richard Smith. I’m the homeowner,” the man introduced himself with a warm smile. “Have you finished here already?”
“I’m almost done, sir. But may I ask a question?” Caroline hesitated, hoping the man wouldn’t mind if she asked about the photograph. “Who is this woman?”
Richard put on his glasses and leaned closer to the picture. “Ah, yes. She is Helen. She was the love of my life.”
Caroline felt a shiver. “What happened to her?” she asked, unable to hold back.
“She died in a bus accident. She was pregnant at the time. I couldn’t even go to the funeral because her mother hated me,” Richard replied. Caroline realized that if this man was her father, then she had been lied to her whole life by her own grandmother.
Richard asked for her mother Helen’s phone number and called her immediately. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Helen answered. Richard explained the situation and told her how he had been informed about her death in the accident. Helen, shocked, told him that her mother had said Richard no longer wanted anything to do with her.
Caroline listened to the entire conversation in silence, amazed by the lie that had separated her parents. Richard and Helen told each other they didn’t understand why Helen’s mother would do that, but at that moment it was too late to find out.
Caroline told her mother that she had no intention of going back home until she succeeded on Broadway, but now she had another reason to stay: to get to know her father, Richard. After Helen hung up, Richard and Caroline looked at each other in silence, then laughed together, knowing they were just beginning a father-daughter relationship that they should have had a long time ago.
What can we learn from this story?
Allow children to follow their dreams. Caroline ran away from home because her mother was too protective. You should guide your children but allow them to choose their own path in life.
Sometimes, parents do not have the best intentions. Helen’s mother did something terrible by separating Richard and Helen, and they never understood why.
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This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher do not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the events or the portrayal of the characters and are not liable for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed belong to the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
