That night, Daniel didn’t fire Maria.
He sat with her until dawn.
She told him how Lily watched children at the park.
How she asked why her legs felt “asleep.”
How she begged to fly.
Maria shared her own story.
Once told she’d never dance again.
“I never forced her,” Maria said.
“I just let her try.”
Daniel covered his face.
“I was afraid of breaking her.”
Progress was slow.
Some days Lily stood.
Some days she couldn’t.
The doctors were stunned.
The plans changed.
One morning, Lily toddled toward him.
“Daddy,” she said proudly.
He scooped her up, crying.
Maria watched quietly.
“You didn’t just help my daughter walk,” Daniel said.
“You gave her a future.”
She refused the bonus.
She stayed anyway.
Because some miracles aren’t bought.
They’re trusted.
And sometimes they begin with believing a child can fly.
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only.
