Jack, a single dad with two young girls and work, never thought that one morning he would find pancakes made by a stranger on his kitchen table. When he finds the mysterious donor, her shocking story of struggle and gratitude changes his life forever and brings them together in a way he didn’t expect.
I had two little girls, Emma, 4, and Lily, 5. Being a single dad to them was the hardest job I’ve ever had. My wife left to see the world, so it was just the girls and me. Work, cooking, and taking care of everything at home made me tired, but I loved them more than anything.
I got up early every day. I went to wake up the girls first.
Girls, it’s time to get up! I softly called and opened the door to their bedroom.
Lily sat up and rubbed her eyes. She yawned and said, “Good morning, Daddy.”
Emma said, “I don’t want to get up,” but she was still only half awake.
I smiled. “All right, honey. We need to get ready for daycare.
I helped them get dressed. Emma chose her pink shirt and pants, while Lily chose her favorite flower-print dress. We all went downstairs once they were dressed.
I made breakfast in the kitchen. It was easy to plan: milk and oatmeal. I stopped in my tracks when I walked into the kitchen, though. The table had three plates of pancakes that had just been made and were topped with jam and fruit.
“Did you see this, girls?” I asked in confusion.
Lily’s eyes got bigger. Oh my, pancakes! “Daddy, did you make them?”
I turned my head away. “No, I didn’t.” Aunt Sarah may have come by early.
I called Sarah, my sister, on the phone.
“Hey Sarah, did you stop by this morning?” As soon as she picked up, I asked.
“Why not?” Sarah seemed to be lost.
I hung up and said, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing.” Every door and window was locked when I checked them. There were no signs that someone had broken in.
“Daddy, is it okay to eat?” Emma asked with big eyes as she looked at the pancakes.
I chose to try them first. The food tasted great and everything seemed fine. “It seems fine to me.” “Let’s eat,” I told them.
The girls were happy and ate their food. It was impossible for me to stop wondering who made the pancakes. Even though it was weird, I chose to ignore it for now. I needed to go to work.
I took Emma and Lily to daycare after breakfast. I kissed them goodbye and said, “Have a nice day.”
I couldn’t concentrate at work. The strange pancakes kept coming back to my mind. Someone must have done it. Why? That night, when I got home, I had another treat. I hadn’t had time to mow the yard, but it was already well-kept.
I scratched my head as I stood in my yard. I said to myself, “This is getting weird.” Everything was fine when I checked the house again.
I chose to find out who was helping me the next morning. I hid in the kitchen and peered out of a small opening in the door before I usually do. I saw a woman get in through the window at 6 a.m.
She was dressed like an old mail worker. I saw her start to wash the dishes from the night before. After that, she got cottage cheese out of her bag and started making pancakes.
My stomach made a loud noise. The woman looked around in shock. She turned off the gas quickly and ran to the window.
As I came out from cover, I told them, “Please wait. I won’t hurt you.” Is that true that you made those pancakes? Please tell me what you’re up to. I’m the father of the girls and would never hurt a woman, especially since you’ve helped me so much. Don’t be scared of me.
The woman stopped and slowly turned around to look at me. When I saw her face, I thought she looked like someone I knew, but I couldn’t remember where.
“I think we’ve met before.” I asked, not sure.
A man in a suit who looks confused | Source: Pexels
A man in a suit who looks confused | Source: Pexels
The woman said yes, but before she could say anything else, Emma and Lily asked, “Daddy, where are you?” from upstairs.
I looked at the woman, then back at the steps. “Let’s talk.” I’ll get my girls. I begged, “Please don’t go.”
The woman thought for a moment and then slowly nodded. “Okay,” she said in a low voice.
I felt better and smiled. I quickly went upstairs to get Emma and Lily.
I quickly went upstairs to get Emma and Lily. I told them, “Hey girls, we have a surprise guest downstairs.”
They followed me down, interested. The woman was standing by the window when we walked into the kitchen. She looked uncertain and ready to run away.
Kindly, I told them, “Please don’t leave.” “Thank you and I just want to talk.”
Emma and Lily were shocked when they saw her. “Daddy, who is she?” Lily asked.
I said, “Let’s find out together.” I then said to the woman, “Please sit down.” “May I get you a coffee?”
She thought for a moment and then slowly nodded. “Okay,” she said in a low voice.
The whole group sat down at the kitchen table. “My name is Jack, and these are my daughters, Emma and Lily.” I want to know why you’ve been helping us.
The woman took a big breath. She started by saying, “My name is Claire.” “You helped me when I was in a bad spot two months ago.”
I frowned and tried to remember. “Helped you?” “How?”
“I was lying by the road, weak and hopeless,” she said. You stopped while everyone else went by. You took me to a place that helps people. I was very thirsty and could have passed out. You were gone when I woke up, but I talked the parking guard into giving me your car number. I learned where you lived and chose to say thank you.
It clicked in my mind. “Now I remember.” You were in bad shape. “I couldn’t leave you there.”
Claire agreed, and her eyes got wet. “Your kindness kept me alive.” My ex-husband lied to me, took everything from me, and left me on the street after we broke up. I didn’t have anything or anyone to turn to.
Emma and Lily listened carefully, and the worry on their little faces was clear. Emma said in a whisper, “That’s so sad.”
“But why are you here?” I asked, still not getting it.
Claire said, “Your help made me strong enough to keep going.” I told them my story at the office. Plus, they put me in touch with a lawyer who could help me fight for my son. I got a job working for the mail service. But I wanted to send you something to say thank you. Every day when you got home, you looked so tired, so I chose to help you with some small things.
Her story moved me. “Thank you Claire for what you’ve done, but you can’t just break into our house.” It scared me because it’s not safe.
She looked embarrassed as she nodded. “I’m really sorry.” I didn’t mean to scare you. I only wanted to assist.
She put her hand on Claire’s and touched it. “Thank you for the pancakes.” “They were tasty.”
Claire smiled, but her eyes were wet. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
I took a big breath and felt a mix of relief, interest, and understanding. Claire, let’s do this in a different way. Please don’t sneak in again. Would you like to join us sometimes for breakfast? We can learn more about each other.
She smiled with hope on her face. “That sounds good to me, Jack.” “Thanks.”
We talked and ate the pancakes she made for the rest of the morning. Claire talked more about her son and her hopes to get back together with him. I saw what a strong and determined person she was.
As we were finishing breakfast, I felt like a new day was starting. Claire’s thanks and our shared support brought us together. She did something nice for me in return, and I wanted to help her get back together with her son.
She looked like Emma and Lily already loved her, and I had hope for the future. I thought, “This might be the start of something good for all of us.”
As we cleaned up together, I told Claire, “Thank you for telling your story.” “From now on, let’s help each other.”
She smiled and nodded. “That sounds great to me, Jack.” “Thanks.”
So, a new time began for both of our families, full of hope and help for each other.