Gregory told his daughter Erica, who was finally prepared to attend the ball, „Have fun, darling.“However, unlike her two only friends, the girl did not have a boyfriend, so she did not dare to enter the door.
She was never invited to the ball because she was always shy.However, Gregory and Olive were certain that she would have a wonderful time.Olive added, pushing her daughter toward the exit,
„You know…another student might not have a beau either, and he might ask you to dance.“Wishing her parents a peaceful night, one of Erica’s friends was driving.
Erica enjoyed herself at the dance in spite of her concerns.Her mother was correct when she said that it didn’t matter if she didn’t have a partner.
Others, like her, came in groups with their friends, while others also came by themselves.She didn’t worry at all in the end.
She liked dancing and taking pictures with her friends, especially since it was one of her last memories with them before she went to college.However, her friends wanted to dance with their dates when a slow song started playing.
I’ll settle in over there.She said, „I’m so tired“ and went to one of the tables to rest, fanning herself with her hand.As everyone sat down to dance, Erica watched as they were paired up;
Even those who did not bring dates were successful in meeting someone. She was still uneasy because of this in some way.A few parents who had volunteered to watch the event were the only other people who did not dance.
The slow dance would soon be over, and she hoped that nobody would notice.She noticed her father rolling his chair toward her with a big smile when something in the corner caught her attention.
„Young lady, would you like to dance?“He extended his hand as he asked.«Daddy!»She smiled in response, grabbed his hand, and got up.
They made their way to the dance floor and, as best they could, began to sway.She felt much better because her dad is surprisingly good at dancing, even in his wheelchair.Sadly, her happiness lasted only a short time.
She heard some of her classmates laughing at them as she looked around, and the mischievous laughter could not be contained by the music.
Oh, what a failure!She must dance alongside her father!That is truly sad!»“Is this truly a dance?“He is seated! Her smile had vanished from her face as the comments became too much.“
Dad, let’s get out of here,“ she asked her father.»When he saw her sad face, he frowned, and then the man saw the other kids laughing and staring at him.Erica:
„No.Just continue dancing.In an effort to get her to move, he told her to „keep having fun.“However, his daughter was too ashamed, and nothing was more distressing than witnessing her child be harmed.
„Okay, sit down now.Gregory said, „I’m going to do something first,“ as he left the dance floor.To calm herself, Erica went back to the table and opened one of the water bottles.She desired to put the night behind her and move on.
The school years were awful.She couldn’t wait to get to college, and the people were awful. People turned to the small stage where the DJ had set up his equipment as the music abruptly stopped completely.
Erica got to her feet and saw that her father was present, drawing the attention of everyone.“Good evening, youngsters.He began, „I hope you’re having a great evening,“ and the kids all clapped.However, Erica observed how those who laughed at their dancing mocked him.
She had the desire to shield him from them.However, her father was about to stand up for her. «When I was your age, a group of my classmates and I rented a bus to go to the Ohio prom.
We were supposed to have the best time of our lives, but it didn’t turn out that way.There was a fire and an accident for us.When I tried to get everyone off the bus, I hurt myself.
Gregory explained, pointing to his legs, „I was successful that day, but I also paid the price.“Now everyone in the room was quiet.No more slander.No more guffawing.
Nothing.Erica concentrated solely on her father, who had never previously discussed his accident with her in such depth. You wouldn’t believe that some of the people I saved are still here today.
„Take Samantha and Katherine, for instance, who are standing on the corner over there,“ he said, drawing attention to the mothers.
Austin and Richard, who made fun of me and my daughter dancing, appear to be your children, in my opinion.»The kids he mentioned caught everyone’s attention and made them appear embarrassed.
Naturally, they weren’t the only ones.Anyway, I just wanted to say that I believe I have worked hard and saved enough people in my life to be able to dance with my daughter on her prom night without being laughed at.
I believed that we had made progress and that this new generation believed in tolerance, inclusion, and comprehension.However, it saddens me to see that the children of my former high school friends would ridicule a disabled man and his child just for dancing….I hope this helps you.
My daughter and I will continue to have fun tonight in the interim.I appreciate it, Gregory concluded.He returned the microphone, and some of the kids assisted him in getting off the platform.
With tears streaming down her face, Erica smiled.She planned to inquire further about her father’s heroic past later because she had never heard of it.
She couldn’t say no when Gregory came up to her and extended his hand to her once more.They danced the night away as the music resumed.The rhythmic songs were performed by her friends and their companions.
Erica smiled when she saw the mothers her father had mentioned yelling at their kids at one point.She thought bitterly, „Serves them right,“ and carried on having fun.
A few minutes later, some of the scolded children came over to apologize, and one boy asked Erica out for a dance, but she declined and continued to enjoy the evening with her father.
Gregory took Erica out for ice cream at the end of the party. There, Erica marveled at her father’s bravery and asked him about the accident.
She made the decision then that she wanted to work as a paramedic in the future.Additionally, she desired to save lives.
