The next day was a happy day for the world but to understand why we will have to start at the beginning.
Winnie woke up early. Today it was 6 a.m. But what she discovered was strange. Out in the hallway was her Daddy lying, facedown, in the hallway, asleep. Winnie didn't understand this but being the child she was, Winnie got a blanket from her room and placed it on top of Dan, then Continued to the kitchen.
"Shit" Dan woke up warm. He remembered falling asleep in the middle of the hallway last night because of an existential crisis, but he hadn't meant to. Now he was still in the hallway but on top of him was one of Winnie's blankets. He smiled. He got up put the blanket back and then went downstairs to Winnie.
"Hello morning child." Said Dan teasingly as he walked into the kitchen.
"Hello daddy." Said Winnie as she turned and gave her daddy a hug. She was pouring a bowl of cereal for herself and after giving her Daddy hug she got him a bowl and pushed cereal towards him. "Was there a reason that you were laying facedown in the hallway?"
"Yes, I was having an existential crisis." Dan was thankful when Winnie didn't ask what it was. She just continued to pour the milk for her cereal and then handed it to her Dad.
"Why did you start without me?" Said Phil when he came in five minutes later. Winnie and Dan and been talking about multiple things from existential crisis to video games.
"Sorry." Said Winnie a she giggled at her Papa. She grabbed another bowl and her Daddy passed the cereal and grabbed the milk.
'"This almost makes up for it." Said Phil as he sat down.
After breakfast the three of them went into the other room to watch tv and, in Dans case, browse the internet.
"We should introduce you in our video today." Phil said.
"No!" Winnie said before her daddy could even open his mouth.
"Why not?" Asked Dan. He was confused, why wouldn't Winnie want to be on a video.
"Because.." Winnie was wheezing now "the...camera... it... it.." Winnie reached to the computer on Dans lap, her hands visibly shaking, and typed 'ophthalmophobia.' Then she got up and walked a vacant look in her eyes.
Winnie was gone before the page loaded. Phil was about to go after her when Dan stopped him and started reading, "Scopophobia, scoptophobia, or ophthalmophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a morbid fear of being seen or stared at by others. Scopophobia can also be associated with a pathological fear of drawing attention to oneself." Dan read."Individuals with scopophobia generally exhibit symptoms in social situations when attention is brought upon them like public speaking. Several other triggers exist to cause social anxiety. Some examples include: Being introduced to new people, being teased and/or criticized, embarrassing easily, and even answering a cell phone call in public. Often scopophobia will result in symptoms common with other anxiety disorders. The symptoms of scopophobia include an irrational feelings of panic, feelings of terror, feelings of dread, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea, dry mouth, trembling, anxiety and avoidance. Other symptoms related to scopophobia may be hyperventilation, muscle tension, dizziness, uncontrollable shaking or trembling, excessive eye watering and redness of the eyes."
This time they both got up and went on a search for Winnie. They looked first in her room, nothing. Then in the kitchen, nothing. They found nothing and were really freaking out when they found little Winnie. On the top shelf in the little laundry room, curled in a fatal position rocking back and forth.
"Winnie." Said Dan. When the two walked into the room. Winnie looked down from her shelf.
"Hello." She said and both men looked up at her. Her eyes where red from crying she was shaking and she looked afraid.
"We are sorry, we didn't know." Said Phil. He hoisted himself on top of the dryer and Dan did the same thing. Winnie started to climb down to her parents and clung to them tears rolling down her face. "We won't put you on camera, we promise."
"It's okay." Said Winnie She had finally stopped crying and wasn't shaking anymore. "I try to keep it to myself, you can mention me if you want, but no name and no photo."
"We promise."
That night the internet blew up. Everyone was watching the new video "We have a daughter" by Dan and Phil