It’s amazing to watch youngsters perform in school talent shows, whether they’re acting, singing, dancing, or showcasing another talent. While it’s true that all contestants should be commended for taking the stage and giving it their all in front of their peers, every now and then you’ll see a performance that truly hits the mark, showcasing inventiveness that beyond the competitors’ age range.
This was the performance that four Texas fifth graders from New Braunfels Christian Academy put on for the Elementary Talent Show in 2017. The students covered themselves with a black cloth at the beginning of their performance in order to keep it secret all the way through. The fabric was torn away, revealing the boys’ baby clothes, replete with little prosthetic legs they could move about with their arms. The audience immediately exploded into laughter, and that was only the start.
The audience was even more delighted with what came next: the boys donned their suits and danced brilliantly and imaginatively to a number of hit songs. The opening song, Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” had the males dancing and miming with enthusiasm. The crowd’s favorite was Carl Douglas’s “Kung Fu Fighting,” when the four dancers in suits displayed their kung fu skills to cheers and applause.
My Father Discouraged Me from Buying a Car – His Real Reason Made Me Call the Police José Augustin
Emily thought purchasing her dream car would be a straightforward and exciting step, but her father’s odd reluctance made her question everything. Little did she know that his secret reason would lead her into a situation she could hardly have imagined.
After years of striving through internships, part-time jobs, and a disastrous summer selling overpriced skincare products, Emily had finally made it. She landed a real job with a steady paycheck, benefits—everything needed to start adult life. And the first thing on her to-do list? Buy a car.
But this wasn’t just any car. It was the car. The one she dreamed about during her lunch breaks, pretending to drive it instead of biting into yet another salad. Sleek, shiny, built to last—she could almost see the envy in her friends’ eyes as they spotted it in her driveway—at least that’s what she told herself.
This car was special not just for its leather seats or its tech that outdid her apartment’s. This car had a family history. Her father, Tom, had always raved about this model ever since she could remember cars. “That’s the one, Emily,” he’d affirm every time they spotted one on the road. “Solid, reliable. If I were to buy a car today, that would be it.
So, it had to be this car. It wasn’t just about her. It was… well, it was complicated.
When Emily called her dad to share the big news, she expected him to share her excitement. She could almost hear his voice in her head, “Good choice, Emily! You’ve always had an eye for the right stuff.” But when he picked up the phone, his reaction was… different than she expected.
“Do you really want that one?” His usually confident voice wavered as if he was suddenly unsure of everything. It wasn’t like him and it threw Emily off.
“Yes, Dad,” she replied, trying to inject some of her excitement into the conversation. “It’s the one you’ve always loved. The reliable and solid one, remember?”
He hesitated. A long pause that tightened her stomach a bit. “I don’t know, Emily. Maybe you should reconsider. These models… they have issues.”
Emily blinked. “Issues? Since when? You’ve been praising this car for years.”
“For me, of course,” he said distantly. “But for you… maybe something more affordable. Used, even.”
Used? He had to be joking, right? After everything she had been through, climbing out of tough times to land a real job, she deserved this. The new car smell and all.
“Dad, I’m not going to waste my money on something silly,” she said, trying to remain calm. “It’s a great car. I’ve done my research.”
He sighed, and it felt like he was miles away. “Think about it, Em. There’s no rush.”
That’s when things became urgent. But she wasn’t going to tell him that. So she muttered something like, “Yes, of course, I’ll think about it,” and hung up. She stared at her phone, his words echoing in her head. Since when was her dad so against the only car he had always praised?
In the weeks that followed, she kept bringing it up, trying to push him to regain the enthusiasm she was expecting. Each time, he found a new reason to reject the idea. “Wait a bit longer,” he’d say. “It’s not the right time.”
Emily felt torn. On one hand, this was her chance to do something big, for herself—at least, that’s what she believed. On the other, her father’s strange behavior made her question everything. Why was he so worried?
Eventually, she had enough. One Saturday, she got up early, put on her favorite jeans, and went to the dealership. No more hesitations. It was happening.
Upon arrival, the car was even more perfect in person. The paint sparkled in the sun, the interior was spotless, and the engine purred like a happy cat. She took a deep breath, letting the satisfaction wash over her. This was it. The car her dad had always admired, the one she was finally going to buy. This was meant to be.
But when it came time to handle the paperwork, the salesman, Mark, explained there was a slight issue with the payment. Emily’s credit report showed less available credit than expected and there was a $30,000 loan in her name that was 90 days overdue.
Shocked, Emily had no idea about any loan. This led her to investigate, and she discovered the loan had been taken out through an old joint account she had with her father when she was a teenager—an account she hadn’t touched in years. The only explanation was that her father had taken out this loan without her knowledge.
Confronting her father over the phone, he admitted to taking out the loan to buy a boat he thought they could afford. He didn’t want to worry her. This betrayal, using her credit without her consent, led Emily to a difficult decision—she ended up reporting her father for identity theft. It was a painful choice, but she felt it was necessary to protect her future.
This narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of family relationships. Emily’s journey from excitement about a new car to dealing with her father’s betrayal shows a deep personal trial, one that changes her relationship with her father forever.
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