For a Puppy and a Doll
"So… have you thought a little more about what you might want for your birthday?" Daddy asks. It's all so normal and mudane that Mindy says the first thing that comes to mind.
"Can I get a puppy?"
Daddy has a surprised look on his face, "You wanna get a dog?" he asks. He's now stopped eating to stare at her. She feels the guilt set in and hates it when he gives that look.
"Yeah a cuddly fluffy one, and a Bratz movie-star make over Sasha!"
"I don't know honey, we'll have to see what your mother thinks when we get home." Daddy says with a grin of amusement. He's completely relaxed and for the first time that she's seen her father, he's happy.
She's grinning because she knows that's a yes but when she looks up again, her father's suddenly back to normal and staring at her tensely waiting for her to continue. There's the doubt and fear in his eyes and she suddenly realizes that just before was simply her imagination playing tricks on her again.
"…I'm just messing with you Daddy! Look, I'd love a Bench made model 42 butterfly knife." She says with a playful grin. The relief on Daddy's face is undeniable and she mentally breathes a sigh of relief in response.
"Oh, child… you always knock me for a loop!" he says with a grin and continues eating. She does the same and barely manages to stop her lower lip from wobbling. She never has to worry about tears. There are never any tears because training took care of that a long time ago. She grips her spoon a bit more tightly as she finishes off her ice cream reminding herself that it doesn't matter because one day in the future, Frank D'Amico will go bye bye.
And when that day comes, she'll get her puppy.
Hopefully a Brats movie star make-over Sasha too if she's really lucky.