A Wheelchair Girl Cries in the Rain — When She Mentions Her Dad, a Billionaire Shocks…

The Search for the Billionaire Father

The hot chocolate arrived rich and steaming topped with whipped cream. Emma wrapped her small hands around the mug.

Margaret could see the warmth seeping back into the child’s fingers. Joe brought the grilled cheese sandwiches too cut into triangles just the way kids like them.

“emma,” Margaret said after they’d both taken a few bites. “does your dad work somewhere nearby maybe we could try calling his office.”

Emma’s face brightened a little. “he has an office downtown it’s a big building the Harrison Building.”

“he owns a company that makes I think computers technology stuff.”

Margaret paused her sandwich halfway to her mouth. “the Harrison Building is your father David Harrison of Harrison Technologies?”

Emma nodded not understanding why Margaret suddenly looked stunned. Margaret knew of Harrison Technologies as everyone in Portland did.

It was one of the largest tech companies in the Pacific Northwest worth billions. David Harrison’s face had been on the cover of business magazines.

He was known for his innovation his philanthropy and apparently according to rumors his reclusiveness since his wife’s death. But titles and money meant nothing right now.

What mattered was that this little girl needed her father. Margaret pulled up Harrison Technologies main number online and called.

A pleasant automated voice greeted her offering a menu of options. She pressed zero for the operator.

“harrison Technologies how may I direct your call,” a woman’s voice answered.

“this is Margaret Chen i have David Harrison’s daughter Emma with me.”

“there was a mixup with pickup from school and she’s been trying to reach him.”

“it’s important that I speak with him immediately.”

There was a pause. “i’m sorry ma’am but Mr harrison is in a board meeting and specifically requested not to be disturbed if you could leave a message.”

“his daughter is sitting in the diner scared and wet from waiting in the rain,” Margaret said firmly.

“i don’t care if he’s meeting with the president get him on the phone now.”

Her tone left no room for argument. Margaret had spent decades running her own business dealing with insurance companies hospital administrators and bureaucrats.

She knew how to command respect when it mattered. “please hold,” the operator said quickly.

Margaret winked at Emma who was watching with wide eyes. “sometimes grown-ups need a little push,” she said.

Less than a minute later a man’s voice came on the line breathless and panicked. “this is David Harrison.”

“Who is this is Emma okay where is she?”

“Mr harrison? My name is Margaret Chen.”

“emma is safe and sitting right here with me at Joe’s Diner on Morrison Street.”

“she’s fine just a little shaken up there was some confusion with her pickup from school.”

“Oh god,” the voice said and Margaret could hear genuine anguish in it.

“i was in a meeting that ran late and my phone was on silent i completely lost track of time.”

“emma’s school the teacher was supposed to wait with her i’m so sorry i’m leaving right now please can I talk to her.”

Margaret handed the phone to Emma whose face transformed the moment she heard her father’s voice.

“daddy,” she said and fresh tears started but these were different tears.

“i was so scared i thought something happened to you.”

Margaret couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation but she watched Emma’s expression shift from fear to relief to something like joy.

“it’s okay Daddy,” emma was saying. “this nice lady Margaret found me.”

“she brought me to a diner and got me hot chocolate with whipped cream and a grilled cheese.”

A pause followed. “no I’m not hurt just wet.”

Another pause and then came a small giggle. “okay I’ll wait i love you too.”

Emma handed the phone back to Margaret. “ms chen,” David Harrison said and his voice was thick with emotion.

“i don’t know how to thank you i’ll be there in 15 minutes less please stay with her.”

“of course,” Margaret said. “We’re not going anywhere drive safely.”

While they waited Margaret ordered Emma a piece of apple pie Joe’s specialty. They talked about school about Emma’s favorite subjects.

She loved art and science about her friends. Emma opened up more as she relaxed telling Margaret about her wheelchair.

She decorated it with stickers of stars and planets. “i want to be an astronomer when I grow up,” Emma said her eyes brightening.

“or maybe an astronaut they’re doing research on making space more accessible for people with disabilities.”

“isn’t that cool?”

“That’s very cool,” Margaret agreed. “you know what I think i think you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to.”

“that’s what my dad says,” emma replied. “and what my mom used to say.”

“they’re right,” Margaret told her.