I reluctantly surrendered my present and then pulled myself into my soft pink sheets.
“Good night, baby,” he whispered while kissing my forehead and pulling the daisy comforter to my chin.
“Good night, daddy,” I said in a low voice as he walked to the door, the pink blossoms dangling from his hand.
“Sleep well, princess. I love you.”
“I love you, too, daddy.”
***** ***** *****
The warm sun cascaded through my powdered curtains; I awoke with a smile, still giddy that daddy was home. I dressed with purpose, carefully picking out my day’s attire.
I wanted to wear something pretty to highlight the good mood I was in. I chose a new skirt I’d bought last week; it fell to my knee and was mostly green with a bright yellow flower that decorated the hem. I paired it with a long sleeve, pale gold blouse that tightly laced at the sides. Heeled brown boots completed the ensemble.
I could smell breakfast cooking as I skipped down the stairs.
“Morning daddy,” I beamed, leaning close for a kiss as he cooked pancakes at the stove.
“Morning princess,” he responded with a smile, offering his cheek. His peripheral vision caught side of my wardrobe and I could see his surprise. “Sweetie, you look beautiful.”
“Do you like it?” I asked, holding up the sides of the skirt and twirling in the middle of the kitchen.
“You look like an ass,” David grumbled from beneath his parka, a portable video game system beeping in his hands.
“Be nice,” daddy warned, skillfully flipping breakfast onto a plate. “You look so grown up this morning, Abby. What’s the occasion?”
I took a seat at the bar and twirled my curled hair in my fingers. “Oh, I’m just excited that someone special is home,” I teased in a childlike tone, flashing a huge grin. After three weeks away, I still couldn’t believe he was back.
“Sweetie, mom has to work late tonight, so I was thinking that we could go see a movie when you get home from school today. What do ya think?” he asked eagerly, placing pancakes before my brother and me. “You’re welcome to come too, David.”
My brother scoffed. “Yeah right. I’m heading to Jason’s after fourth period,” he said to no one in particular. Standing, he made his way out of the kitchen.
“Be home by cur-” dad began, but David was already out of the room. He sighed. “Well, how ’bout it, kiddo?”
“Sounds great!” I exclaimed, taking a bite of the fluffy pancake. Daddy and I talked about the past few weeks. I asked about his trip, he told me of the sites he saw, he asked about mom and David, I told him we were just as dysfunctional as always.
My bus arrived and he kissed me warmly on the forehead. “See ya after school,” he hollered and waved as I left.
***** ***** *****
As I rode home, butterflies danced in my stomach. Each curvy road, every drawn-out stop, brought me closer to daddy. I was confused and didn’t know what the feelings were I felt.
The bus finally arrived at my house and I jumped off, excited about my date. Daddy greeted me from the front door, a wide smile stretched across his face.
I noticed a distinct change in his appearance from the night before. His clothes looked clean and pressed, and the khakis and sweater with dress shirt underneath looked especially nice against his tanned complexion. His short hair and goatee were trimmed and styled. As I got closer, I could smell his cologne as it drifted through the yard.