Frex had written a letter to Director Lemaan asking if Dani could come back. He apologized to the school and gave them some money. Sometimes it is useful to be the governor, Frex thought with a smile. He had told Miss Gutter about his appointment and she was very proud of Frex. Frex had asked her to babysit the childeren so he could apologize to Dani. Miss Gutter was more than happy to do that. So Saturday after lunch, he went to Dani's house. He had looked up where she lived. Also a handy thing if you are a governor, Frex thought satisfied. I can get any information I want.

He knocked on the door with a sigh.

After a minute, Dani opened the door. 'What are you doing here? She asks in amazed when she saw Frex on the sidewalk. She crossed her arms.

Frex rubbed his neck. 'I uhm I wanted to apologize for my behavior and I wrote a letter to the school asking you to hire you again. I don't have an answer yet, but I think you will be accepted by director Lemaan.'

Dani looked at him confused. 'You did what?'she asked. She wasn't sure she heard it right. First she was fired by this man and now he offers her a job.

Frex sighed deeply. 'Listen I've been thinking about what you said about me and Elphaba. You're right. I apologize and you can get your job back if you want.'

Dani narrowed her eyes. 'These aren't weird jokes from you?'

Frex shake his head. He looked down. 'I really regret my behavior' he whispered. Frex looked into Dani's eyes.

Dani saw the same behavior she saw with Elphaba when she had to tell the truth. 'Okay I believe you. Apologies accepted.'

'Thank you,' Frex said . He wanted to turn to walk away.

But Dani said. 'Do you want to come in so we can talk?'

Frex thought for a moment and nodded. 'That seems like a good idea to me.'

Frex walked in and saw that the living room was nicely decorated. There were several pictures of her family. The furniture was a bit on the old side.

'Is this your family?' asked Frex as he picked up the photo. He saw little Dani with her brother and her parents laughing under a tree.

Dani nodded. 'Yes those are my parents and brother. I think I was three. I just made coffee, do you want a cup of coffee or something else to drink?'

'Coffee is fine.'

Dani nodded and went to the kitchen. What should I do with that man she wondered. Why did I invite him. What do you want from him she thought. Dani took a deep breath. 'I want to clarify why he suddenly changed and to make sure it doesn't happen again,' she said softly to herself.

Frex, meanwhile, had sat down on the couch and waited patiently for Dani.

Dani handed him a cup of coffee and put down a box of cookies. She sat in the chair. 'Why have you suddenly changed?'

Frex swallowed. 'You are very direct' he said softly.

Dani raised her eyebrow.

'Your words make me think. I didn't believe my own daughter was afraid of me.' He explained. 'After a conversation with Miss Gutter, I took a closer look at Elphaba. and unfortunately you were right.'

Dani sipped her coffee and waited patiently for Frex to finish his story.

'After Elphaba realized that I was the reason you were fired, she didn't say a word to me. It hurt me more than I thought. Then I started to contact a psychologist. The step to call him was big, because I am ashamed of it' He confessed. 'But I've had a session now and I have to say it did me good. He explained a few things to me about how I treated Elphaba. He opened my eyes in a hard way. I know I can't buy back her trust, but my first step is to make it up to you. You broke her walls and I want to do the same. I want to learn from you.'

Dani didn't know how to look. She wanted to believe Frex he sounded so genuine. But she was also reminded of Elphaba.

'It is a good step for you to have sought help. I speak from experience that it is not easy. But it does help. I would like to help you.' Frex's face brightened. 'But I also have to think of Elphaba. I'd like to give you some tools to break her walls, but as soon as I notice you're hurting her again, it's over.'

Frex swallowed and nodded quickly. 'Dr. Tanron said it is going to be a long process where Elphaba can sometimes fall back. I will do anything to prevent that.'

Dani gave him a small smile. 'That's good to hear.'

Frex's heart began to beat faster. and returned a smile.

He's pretty cute when he smiles, Dani thought. She shake her head no you shouldn't think that.

Frex saw Dani's behavior and laughed to himself. What would she think? She looks good.

Frex cleared his throat. 'I would like to start over.' He said as he blushed.

Dani grinned. That seems fun. 'Hi I am Dani Nilok and I am your daughter's teacher. At least I hope so.'

Frex laughed too. 'Hello I am Frex Thropp I am the father of Elphaba. I hope so too because Elphaba tells good things about you.'

Dani looked at him in surprise. She talks about me?'

Frex nodded. 'Yes she thinks you are a good teacher. She only caught you making a mistake once and you picked it up really well. Most teachers get mad at Elphaba she knows something better than themselves. Then she is labeled as rude while she only wants to help the teacher to give the children the correct information. She has yet to learn when to let go or when to speak up,'

Dani nodded. 'You got that absolutely right. In fact, she's way too smart for her age. She also wants to help other children, but she doesn't know how to play with her classmates.'

Frex nodded.

'But enough about Elphaba. We will schedule another parent interview.'

Frex smiled 'That's good. Do you feel like starting Monday again?'

Dani and Frex spent the afternoon talking about themselves, the children and what Frex's next steps are with Elphaba.

Frightened, Frex looked at the clock. 'Ooh no I have to go back home. They'll wonder where I'm going. It's almost time to eat again.'

'You are absolutely right. Thank you for the conversation Frex I really liked it.'

'Me too,' said Frex as he walked to the door. 'I will hear on Monday from Elphaba how the day went.'He said as he walked the garden path.

'I think so too. Good luck with Elphaba.'

Frex hurried home so he could be on time for dinner and Miss Gutter home.

When Frex got home the girls were still playing a game. Nessa was the first to notice her father and called out cheerfully. 'Daddy you're home. The three of us played all afternoon. We missed you.'

Miss Gutter looked up. 'Hi Frex di dit go?'

Frex nodded. 'Yes I`m home. It went well. How nice that you play together, maybe we can play the game tonight.'

Nessa nodded enthusiastically and Elphaba looked away. She liked it a lot more without her father.

Frex saw Elphaba's behavior and swallowed. 'Miss Gutter you can go home if you want. I can make pancakes with fruit.'

Elphaba looked surprised. She heard that right? Was her father going to make something she liked too?

Nessa's smile grew stronger. 'Ooh Daddy what a great idea! I'd like pancakes. Thank you!.' She rolled over to her father and gave him a hug.

Frex lifted Nessa from her chair and kissed her on the forehead. 'I only make pancakes for well-behaved children have you been nice?'

Nessa nodded. 'We have helped Miss Gutter well.'

Miss Gutter nodded. 'They were like angels. I'm going to pack my things. See you Monday girls'

'Until Monday' the girls said in unison.

Frex put Nessa back in her chair. 'How did it go?' he asked while Miss Gutter packed her things in the kitchen.

'It went well. The girls thought you were back at work. When are you going to tell Elphaba?'

'I wanted to do it tonight before she goes to sleep.'

Miss Gutter nodded. 'Good luck I want to hear everything on Monday, I can pass it on to Miss Mydie.'

Frex looked surprised. 'I didn't know you liked gossip.'

'Ooh Frex all girls love good gossip.'

Frex laughed.' Give my regards to your husband.'

'I will do. Good evening.'

Frex went to work to make the pancakes. The first time it went wrong. Elphaba came into the kitchen at that moment and laughed to see her father covered in flour. Nessa came into the kitchen when she heard her sister laugh. She immediately started to laugh too.

Frex glared at the girls. 'Yes laugh at me but' he said fake angry. 'I'll get you both.'

He ran to the girls and started tickling them. Laughing, Elphaba ran off with Nessa. Frex ran after them. Nessa was laughing all the time. Frex was faster than Elphaba and immediately started tickling her. Nessa picked up a pillow and hit her father. She wanted to protect her sister. Frex rolled on the ground. Elphaba also picked up a pillow and started hitting Frex as well.

'Okay I give up' he said. 'You have won.'

The whole family hadn't had so much fun together in a long time.

'Shall I help you bake?' Elphaba asked shyly while Frex stood up.

'I would like that Fabala.'

'I will also help,' Nessa said happily. All three of them walked into the kitchen. Within half an hour they had a whole stack of pancakes.

They immediately started to eat. Nessa was happy to share what they had done. Elphaba was watching her father. She was confused about his behavior. He only played like that with Nessa. He had never tickled her before. Frex noticed Elphaba watching him and gave her a small smile.

That night they went to bed early. Nessa had grown very tired from playing. Elphaba had just finished reading for her and went to her own room. She heard someone knock on the door. Frex entered and Elphaba looked at him in surprise.

'I wanted to turn off my lights in ten minutes.'

Frex shake his head. He rubbed his neck. 'Listen Elphaba, I want to talk to you if that's all right.'

Elphaba put her book down and nodded. She sat on the edge of her bed.

Frex picked up Elphaba her desk chair and sat opposite her.

'You may have noticed that I changed a little', Frex began. He didn`t know what to say.

Elphaba nodded but said nothing.

'I want you to know that I am proud of you.'

Elphaba's jaw dropped in surprise. She stared at her father in disbelief.

'I don't really know where to start Elphaba. But you know adults sometimes make mistakes. I've also made mistakes. One of them was to get Miss Nilok fired. So I corrected that mistake. Another mistake I've made is treating you differently then Nessa. You also deserve to get attention and I'm sorry for all the things I wrongly did to you.'

Elphaba still looked the same to her father. This must be a dream she thought.

'Elphaba, I want you to know that Miss Nilok is back in school on Monday and that I'm doing my best to explain things about why I do them.'

Elphaba nodded. She didn't really understand why her father was telling all this to her, but she hoped it was positive.

'Well,' Frex said happily. 'Then you can now read for ten minutes and then I want the light to be off. It's getting late.'

'Sleep well father' said Elpahab as Frex walked out the door. 'Sleep well Elphaba.'

Frex went to bed feeling good. It was a good step in the first direction. For the first time in weeks, Frex slept well again.

Sunday morning Elphaba woke up early. She thought about last night's conversation. She checked Nessa's room for a moment and saw that her sister was sleeping. She walked downstairs in her pajamas and saw that her father was already making breakfast.

'Good morning father' said Elphaba.

'Good morning Fabala did you sleep well?'

Elphaba nodded. She looked uncomfortably at the floor. She wanted to know what her father meant last night but was afraid to ask.

Frex noticed Elphaba's behavior and sat down on a chair.

'Elphaba would you like to talk about something?' he asked kindly.

Elphaba nodded.

'Well then just ask. I hear Nessa not yet so she'll be asleep.'

'It's about last night.' Elphaba began.

Frex nodded and waited patiently for Elphaba to continue.

'What happens when it's over?'

Frex looked surprised at Elphaba. 'What do you mean?'

'Well you said adults make mistakes. What if you find out what you are doing now is a mistake?'

'Elphaba come here.'

Elphaba walked carefully to her father. Frex picked up Elphaba and put her on his lap.

'This is not going to change,' he said softly. She gave Elphaba a hug. 'Yesterday I had a lot of fun with you while making the pancakes. I learn new things every day thanks to you. I don't want to lose that.'

Elphaba nodded and looked into her father's eyes. She saw that her father was serious. 'I liked it too' she said softly. Frex held her in his lap and rubbed her back.

At first Elphaba thought it was strange, but she quickly got used to it. She liked the feeling. Of course there was a voice in her head that said Frex was going to ignore her after all. But for now, Elphaba was satisfied. She heard that Nessa was awake. But Frex made no move to go upstairs. Elphaba turned and looked at Frex. 'Nessa is awake. Shall I go get her?'

Frex shake his head. 'No I'll go and have a look in a minute She just have to wait, I'm enjoying this moment with you right now. Do you want to make sure that breakfast is ready?'

Elpahab nodded. 'I also enjoy this,' she whispers softly.

Frex kept rubbing her back and Elphaba loved it.

After a minute he went to get Nessa. The rest of the day was fine. They had a lot of fun together and Elphaba slowly started to believe Frex that he was going to change.