In order to pay for her art supplies, Lily took a temporary job. She did not anticipate that her employer would lose it on her first day behind the register. Her life was severely upended when her father, who was separated from her, came forward to support her.
Lily walked into the café, clearly excited about her new position which would allow her to purchase painting supplies. Dreaming of brightening up paintings, she jumped into work, learning from her coworker, Kyle.
“I’ll take care of the coffee, you take care of the orders, and you operate the register. Stay vigilant because we are pretty busy in the mornings,” he said. Presumed to be more helpful, but Mr. Reynolds, the manager, is crazy. The best advice is to avoid him whenever you can.
Lily gave a solemn nod.
The moment the “OPEN” sign was switched, a flurry of patrons tried her resolve. She handled the barrage of commands until she was interrupted by Mr. Reynolds’s stern tone.
“You did great, new girl,” Mr. Reynolds said. “On day one, you’ve already gotten yourself fired.”
However, Mr. Reynolds, why? What went wrong with me? Lily begged.
“You looked ridiculous when you arrived.” He gestured to Lily’s vivid blue hair. “Go back to your circus, then.”
Lily ran a hand over her recently colored hair. “The dress code says nothing regarding hair color. I verified, gentleman.
Mr. Reynolds bit his lip. “Knew better than to take a job with some spoiled youngster. You receive no professional guidelines. Get out of my café.
Lily was taken aback. Her hopes of purchasing superior paints vanished when she was laid off once more.
“That’s not how you talk to my daughter!”
As soon as Lily heard the voice, her manager was confronted by her father Damian, who had emerged from the line, she became enraged and embarrassed.
“I’ll speak with my employees—er, former employees—any way I see fit!” Mr. Reynolds answered back. “Don’t come back; take her back to the circus.”
Astonished, Lily turned to face her father as he approached, prepared to launch another tirade against Mr. Reynolds.
Lily made a snap decision since she was torn between an unforgiving father and a rude manager. Alright! She said, “I’m out!” and gave Kyle a pitying glance before heading out the back.
“Lily, hold on!” Her dad gave her a call. “I have to give a reason for leaving!”
“I’d prefer not to hear it!” Lily snapped and picked up her speed.
He took hold of her arm. In just ten minutes… I had to go, but now that I’m here, I want to put things right,” he said.
Lily waved away his hand. “Ignore me. She answered, “I’ve forgotten you,” and hurried to the metro, where she eventually broke down in tears.
Lily thought back to her father’s desertion and the struggles that followed, including mounting debt, taking on more duties, and hearing nothing from a man she had once admired. Their lives were completely changed by his leaving, and she and her mother, Alison, had to adapt.
Even with very little paint left, Lily took comfort in painting when she was back at home. Her effort at painting was disorganized, a jumble of hues and feelings on the canvas.
She was taken aback when Alison said, “It’s beautiful.” In their rare time of intimacy, Lily was unable to share the details of the day because she didn’t want to make her mother even more tired.
She took the initiative instead, demanding to prepare dinner so Alison might get some rest. Her plain gesture of compassion was to cook frozen ravioli.
Alison’s question on the café employment ultimately compelled Lily to give a reason for her dismissal. Lily felt unfairness herself, and her mother’s support and incredulity confirmed it.
“It was ridiculous,” Lily concurred. “Tomorrow, I’ll hunt for another job.”
“Definitely,” her mother urged. “Weaknesses occur, but never give up. There is always a path forward.
Lily was grateful for her mother’s optimism, but she struggled to maintain it as the rejections kept coming. Her diminishing painting materials reflected her mood, while her creativity was driven by her emotions.
She uploaded her artwork on social media in hopes of receiving encouragement, but she wasn’t expecting much. She was shocked to see that supporters made few financial contributions. She was adamant and even offered commissions for digital art.
Then an unexpected present of excellent canvases and paints arrived, provided without identification. Lily was thrilled and surmised that it was from an internet admirer going by the handle “artlover,” based on their comment.
She expressed her thanks on livestream, temporarily putting her job search on hold so she could concentrate on painting.
She was even more surprised the next day when she received a booklet about an art competition, which made her ambitious and worried about who was sending it.
When she saw that the sender had her address and had not used any labels or stamps, her worries increased. She became concerned when they provided her a link to the competition and realized it had to be “artlover” once more.
After looking over “artlover’s” profile, Alison came to the conclusion, “This is creepy, but not something for the police.”
Alison urged Lily to attend the show even though she was uncomfortable. “We’ll exercise caution,” she promised. “You must seize this opportunity.”
Lily reluctantly followed her mother’s instructions, committed herself to her work, and got ready for the event.
A few days later, they exhibited her pieces at the gallery, and Lily felt more confident because of Alison’s encouragement. Lily watched for “artlover” when guests came.
Though opinions on her art were divided, she became aware of a disagreement about her paintings.
Miriam, a lady, complimented Lily’s artwork and emphasized its rich emotional content. Later, she came up to Lily and introduced herself as a teacher from one of the exclusive art schools Lily had always liked.
Lily was ecstatic by their discussion about her prospects and future, especially when Miriam paid a hefty price for one of her pieces.
Lily was ecstatic at the surprise sale and support, but her happiness was short-lived as her father unexpectedly showed there.
Damian grinned and remarked, “I’m glad you joined the competition and used my gift well.”
“Damian!” Startled, Alison exclaimed. “What brings you here?”
Lily was forced to own up to the argument at the café. “Mom, he came to work and screamed when the manager fired me,” she said. In order to save you anxiety while you’re overworked, I didn’t inform you.
But you have two jobs, right? Shaken, Damian interrupted. How are things with the money I sent?
“Everything’s in her college fund,” acknowledged Alison. “I held onto it for her later.”
How come? Were you sending cash? Mom, why didn’t you use it? Lily questioned, her voice quivering.
Lily’s animosity toward Damian only grew as a result of Alison’s choice to save them even though they were struggling.
She sobbed, “You see the pain you’ve caused!”
Damian attempted to defend himself. He begged, “I had to leave—to protect you both!” but Lily and Alison weren’t persuaded. He brought them outdoors when his disagreement with them attracted notice.
He exposed the truth—that he had been under witness protection since he exposed a money-laundering scheme—away from the excitement surrounding the exhibition. Lily chuckled at her surprise.
“It’s real,” Damian emphasized. “I oversaw funeral home finances and discovered mistakes in one’s records.”
“Really?” Still doubtful, Lily enquired.
Her mom attested to it. “That is the reality.”
“You had the opportunity to tell me,” Lily protested, battling years of suffering and miscommunication.
Amid Lily’s sorrow, Damian’s comments brought hope as he described his newfound release.
With a smile, Damian said, “You can go to that art school.” “Or travel; artists are inspired by the world.”
“Let’s not hurry,” Alison said. “Art school and college first.”
Lily made a nice sounding chuckle.
“Okay, Ally,” Damian bowed. “Let’s go back in and see more artwork sold by our artists.”
It does sound excellent, her mother said.
Although Lily did not win the grand prize, she was content that her parents had made sure she would have a good life.
“I don’t need your comfort. Trying to perk her up, she remarked, “You’ve assured my future.”
Her father thought she was wise. “You are very intelligent.”
Damian began regularly joining them for dinner, but he never remained overnight. That was more than Lily and Alison were ready for.
One night, Lily said, “I found another way to fund my art supplies.” “Inquiries about commissions resulted from more followers from gallery photos.”
Alison said, startled, “That’s fantastic, sweetheart.” “I had no idea that art could still be profitable.”
Lily grinned at her father and said, “It’s tough, but I believe college and art school will open more doors.” “Perhaps I should study accounting or business.”
“It’s not as smart as you,” Damian joked. “I spent a lot of time in college being undecided.”
“True,” Alison said, bringing warmth to the event with her recollections of the past.
Lily channeled her emotions into a new painting when Damian left. She finished her greatest work by 4 a.m. and posted it online before going to bed with a smile.
A note asking about purchasing her most recent artwork arrived a few days later. She gave it some thinking, decided to sell it for $600, and made plans to meet the buyer at the café the next day.
“Just the right moment. That’s where I have an interview. Afterward, I can come have coffee with you,” Damian said.
“Very good idea, Dad,” Lily said with joy.
She had nostalgia as she walked to the café. Her father waved across the street, but she looked away to hear a voice on her side.
“Lily?”
“Yes,” she answered. Is that you, carson616?
Her father let out a frenzied shout, and before she could completely understand, there was a gunshot that silenced everything.
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