The rain was coming down almost sideways when I pulled up in front of my daughter’s house.

It was late, and I had only stopped by to return a stack of papers I had forgotten earlier. But the moment I stepped out of the car, a sight froze me where I stood.

Emily — my only child — was kneeling in the mud.
Soaked. Shaking. Arms wrapped around herself as if trying to disappear into her own body.

I sprinted toward her.

“Emily? Sweetheart, what happened?”
I lifted her gently, feeling her entire frame tremble.

“Dad… I’m sorry… I just… bought a dress on clearance…” Her voice cracked, barely audible over the storm.