12/31/2024
"Oh!" Will said. "I almost forgot โ tomorrow's Career Day at your school! I'll take the day off to come. Don't worry, I won't miss it."
Kevin's face fell slightly, and he looked away. "You don't have to, Dadโฆ DON'T GO!" he said firmly.
"I want to," Will replied. "It's important. Don't worry about it โ tomorrow's a big day."
****
The rest of the evening, Will couldn't shake Kevin's strange reaction, but there was no way he'd miss such an important event in his son's life. The next day, he showed up at the school and took a seat in the section reserved for parents.
A tall man in an expensive suit approached him with a friendly, polished smile. "You must be Kevin's dad, right?"
Will nodded. "Yes, that's me. How'd you know?"
"Our boys are friends. Your son talks a lot about you and your work," the man said.
"Really?" Will said, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "I didn't think he cared much about what I doโฆ"
The man laughed. "Oh, he's proud of you! He told everyone you own a waste recycling company."
Will froze. "A RECYCLING COMPANY!?" he repeated slowly.
His stomach sank. He wasn't a business owner โ he drove a garbage truck! It hit him then: Kevin was ashamed of him... But if he admitted the truth now, it would expose Kevin's lie in front of everyone!
Anxiety churned in his chest. Will had to think quickly. Just as he was trying to decide what to do, the teacher's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Next up, let's hear from Kevin's dad! Could you please join us on stage?"
Will took a deep breath and stood, smoothing the front of his shirt as he walked toward the podium.๐