Whisper

23

I must have fallen asleep.

When I awoke, the cats were back on the bed, where I assumed Whisper was.

I looked at my watch. It was 12:30.

"Shit."

I jumped from the chair.

.

Whisper giggled.

"You said, shit."

.

"Don't say shit, hun."

I started to the door.

.

"Where you going, Daddy?"

.

"I have to get a shower and such, sweetie."

.

"Oh, okay," she remarked, nonchalantly.

She was so wrapped up in the tv, that she hardly noticed me gone.

.

An hour later, I was showered, shaved and dressed.

I went to the safe in my bedroom and took out a small box. I opened it and my heart fluttered.

It was a diamond ring.

I was actually shaking, as I put it back in the safe. I pulled out a larger box and opened it. It was a beautiful diamond necklace, matching bracelet and earrings.

I would give Sheila the necklace and matching pieces, but if things continued the way they were going, I had decided that I would offer her the ring for her birthday, in July.

.

I put the fancy box in a small gift bag.

I was walking out the hall, when I heard a voice from behind me.

.

"You going out, Daddy?"

.

I stopped, turned and knelt on the floor.

"I have been invited out for Christmas dinner, sweetie. A friend of mine wants me to join her and her son for ...

you know, a Christmas meal."

.

Whisper giggled.

"Daddy has a date."

.

I smiled.

"I do, hun."

.

"Is she a special woman?"

.

I nodded.

"She is, sweetie. I like her very much."

.

"Will I get to meet her?"

.

I took a deep breath.

"You will. But before I introduce you to her, I have to talk to her and explain things."

.

Whisper laughed.

"She might be scared of me, right?"

.

I smiled.

"Maybe."

.

The laughing stopped abruptly.

"What if she don't like me, Daddy?