“Are you serious? I cannot believe it. Really, all this for me?”
“Yes, Lilly. This is yours, and you deserve every bit of it.”
Her father had been plotting and saving for years. Paul stood there in quiet awe, looking at his baby girl.
Lilly had completed her third year of college. It had taken her five years, though. Regardless, she was well on her way to becoming the veterinarian she had always wanted to be. Then, unexpectedly, she changed direction. She wanted to be a journalist.
Her favorite part of college had always been anything to do with writing. More and more, her thoughts drifted there. She could see herself traveling with her laptop, pen in hand, going on adventures and writing about them. The research aspect fit perfectly with her insatiable curiosity. It felt like a dream job.
She met his eyes.
“Why wouldn’t I pursue something that calls to me?” she said. “Surely, Dad, you wouldn’t want to hold me back from my desire to reach for the stars.”
Paul discouraged her at first.
“Lilly, absolutely not. I can’t afford to keep funding trial-and-error pursuits. And you know your mother would have wanted you to finish what you start.”
He paused, then continued, unable to stop himself.
“I’m certain you can still hear her voice as she dragged you to every practice, every event. ‘Lilly, you are going, and that’s it!’ You tried everything, art, dancing, debate. Remember the night you ran into our room convinced you were meant to be an influencer?”
He shook his head, a tired smile flickering.
“I didn’t believe it would last. They rarely did.”
Lilly felt the familiar defensive heat rise.
“Dad, you’re exaggerating, and you know it. Those weren’t failures. I was a kid learning who I am. You make it sound like a bad thing.”
Paul softened.
“Honey, I understand. But you’re a senior now, pursuing the one thing you’ve always wanted, your own veterinary clinic. I’ve watched you stay the course. Even through your mother’s cancer. Even after she died.”
His voice wavered.
“You never stopped showing up for her. You never stopped showing up for yourself. And now, just as you’re about to start your fourth year, you suddenly want to change everything.”
To be continued.
Tag you are it. If not, that’s ok too. Still, more to come.
Sending warmth and kindness.
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Charli Renee 
I’m looking forward to knowing Lilly better. She sounds adventurous…
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Why don’t you play along…Tag you, best writer ever!! No pressure. lol. But perhaps a great opportunity to collaborate. Hey, have I told you how much I appreciate your unwavering support and friendship?!
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Hmmm… so you are wanting someone to continue your story, or start his or her own?
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I am leaving it up for discretion, thought it would be fun to get other writers to play along, if they feel safe and inclined. Since we talked about it… but if no one wants to, I’ll keep going. I am a NO pressure gal like you.
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Lilly couldn’t help but feel some of the disappointment and self-doubt that his words prodded, but she also knew she would only be unfulfilled by giving up the dream. She tossed about the idea of doing both. She could continue her last bit of her degree in the veterinary school, while taking classes on Jounalism. Would that honor her dad, and her mom’s memory, or just waste more money slowing down her new career?
“Dad, I want to make you proud. I am sorry to let you down. I have to pursue this. I’ll work on the side and help pay my way.”
Paul could never let his baby feel like a disappointment. “Alright, Lilly. We’ll work together, and just so you know, your mom and I have always been proud of you. We may have shook our heads at your changing pursuits, but we love your ability to dream big!”
Lilly felt relieved, excited, and under more pressure than ever. She immediately looked at what classes she would need to enroll in. Thankfully, the guidance counselor knew Lilly. She not only helped Lilly wade through the credits and classes that worked for her new degree path, she let Lilly in on a little secret; “There is a journalism club on campus that works with the profs and classes. They get to travel all over and receive credit for on-the-job training. There are multiple destinations. I can have the club president get in tough with you, if you’re interested.”
oh, Lilly was more than interested!
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Oh Lori, this is perfect. You actually have me understanding her, her father, and the story’s direction. I am intrigued where we go from here. I love the way you think and write, always have. You have no idea how much I appreciate you playing along. I feel like our wish to collaborate is happening and hope that it continues, but if not, then we have this. I can us imagine having fun with these bit-by-bit moments.
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Yes! What fun it will be! Thank you.
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