Joy couldn't help smiling as she looked down at the shopping cart. For, there in the baby seat, was her adopted daughter, Betty. The infant had been hers for about a month now, but it was still difficult to adjust to the fact that she was now a mother. Sure, she'd been one ever since she was fifteen and gave birth to Owen, but this was different.
What was also different was the fact that Joy had to shop for diapers, baby food, and pacifiers. These were things she'd never before thought of. But this baby was such a blessing, she didn't mind any of it. Her former life of chasing men and having meaningless one-night stands was behind her. Now her world revolved around Betty, and her husband Bob. It was all such a change from when she, Melanie, and Victoria first came to Cleveland.
"Well, shall we go home to Daddy?" Joy asked the smiling baby. It was incredible how much she loved this child. Just as she prepared to turn and get on line to check out, Joy happened to notice a display of greeting cards. "Father's Day: THIS SUNDAY," read the sign on top of the display. Instantly, she forgot all about paying for her groceries and hurrying home. This would be hers, and Bob's, first Father's Day. She knew she had to get him a card.
Moving closer to the display, Joy saw that there was more than one kind of Father's Day card. Some were for grandfathers. For a split second, Joy considered picking one up for Bob Sr. But that could come later. It was more important to get a card for Bob, since it was his first time celebrating Father's Day as an actual father. She walked along, until she came upon some cards obviously meant for first-time fathers.
She stopped when she saw a card with an adorable cartoon giraffe on it. Picking up the card, she read the message on the front:
I bet you're surprised to get a letter from me,
but I want you to know how much I love you!
I'm so happy I got you for my Daddy -
especially when you pick me up
and snuggle me in your arms!
When she opened the card to read the inside, Joy could nearly feel tears forming.
As soon as I can talk, I'll tell you that you're the best Daddy in the whole wide world!
"You want to get this for Daddy?" Joy asked, holding up the card so Betty could see. The baby merely looked at it. Joy took that as a yes. Without a second thought, she put the card on top of her other things, and headed for the checkout. Suddenly, she could hardly wait for Father's Day to arrive.