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.
Jimmy Carter has become the first U.S. president to turn 100 years old.
Former President Carter and wife Rosalynn are shown on a walk in their hometown of Plains, Georgia. (Matt McClain/Washington Post via Getty Images/File)
Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter turned 100 years old on Tuesday, making him the first U.S. president to live for an entire century.
Carter, the 39th president, has been known for several “firsts.” He was the first U.S. president born in a hospital, the first Naval Academy graduate to become president, and the first president to visit Sub-Saharan Africa officially. Now, he holds the record as the first U.S. president to reach 100.
Carter is currently receiving home hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he has lived since his presidency ended in 1981. He has been in hospice care for nearly two years. Sadly, his wife, Rosalynn, passed away last year at the age of 96.
Jill Stuckey, a family friend of the Carters for over 30 years and the superintendent of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park, said, “It’s funny, President Carter has done so much and usually succeeds at everything. But the one thing he hasn’t been great at is hospice.” She added, “He just keeps living, and we’re so happy about that. So if he’s not good at something, we’re glad it’s hospice.”
When asked what makes Carter different from other presidents who lived to an old age, Stuckey said it was his “tenacity” — his determination and will to keep going.
Jill Stuckey told Fox News Digital that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter always wanted to live as long as possible and stay healthy so they could help as many people as they could. She said they ate healthy meals, exercised every day, and worked hard to take care of themselves so they could keep helping others. “That’s what President Carter is showing today — that all those efforts really make a difference.”
The White House also put up a birthday message for Carter on the North Lawn to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Jill Stuckey said that celebrations for Carter’s 100th birthday started on Saturday in Plains, when the town held its annual peanut festival. “We celebrate peanut harvest season here in Plains, and it happens around the same time as President Carter’s birthday every year, so we usually celebrate them together,” she said.
Jill Stuckey also mentioned that on Tuesday, for Carter’s birthday, there will be more events in Plains, including a ceremony at Plains High School where 100 new citizens will take the oath. This is special because both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter went to that school.
After the ceremony, there will be a flyover to honor former President Carter, organized with help from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. Later in the afternoon, Plains will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new statues dedicated to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
In celebration of Carter’s birthday, volunteers in St. Paul, Minnesota, came together to build 30 new homes over five days. Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood were among the participants.
“You’re one of the most influential statesmen in our history,” President Biden said in a video released ahead of Carter’s birthday on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, Grand Ole Opry member and country music legend Charlie McCoy played a special rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” to honor the former president.
Cathie Skoog, a former member of the White House Communications Agency, said, “I remember the first time I saw him, and I was in awe. That feeling has always stayed with me. You can meet presidents all the time, but the first time is always the most special.” She added, “He didn’t care what people thought. He just did what he believed was right for the country.”
During his time as president, Carter focused on protecting the environment, improving human rights, and making the American education system better. He made big changes, like updating the civil service system, opening up the airline industry to more competition, and creating the Energy and Education departments. He also helped make cars safer by requiring both seat belts and airbags.
Carter’s time as president also had its challenges. There was high inflation, an energy crisis, and failed efforts to free American hostages who were held in Iran. His Secretary of State, Cyrus Vance, eventually resigned because he disagreed with how the administration handled the hostage situation.
During the Iranian Revolution, oil prices in the U.S. went up sharply. In July 1979, President Carter gave a speech where he said Americans were losing confidence in the country because of rising inflation and the energy crisis.
He said, “The signs of this crisis of spirit are everywhere. For the first time, most Americans think the next five years will be worse than the last. Two-thirds of people don’t even vote. Workers are less productive, and Americans are saving less than people in other Western countries.”
Carter added, “We need to face the truth, and then we can change direction. We must believe in each other, believe we can govern ourselves, and have faith in the future. Restoring that faith is our most important job now.”
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