Chapter 5
Lisa lounged comfortably on the couch and stared at the shadows of her empty living room. Bruce rested his heavy head in her lap and closed his eyes contentedly. Her fingers vaguely caressed the feathery fur behind his massive ears. Outside, an owl called to the lonely house. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears.
The phone broke the still silence. Bruce and Lisa flinched at the sudden intrusion. She sniffed and wiped her damp cheeks. She knew she had to sound composed. With a sigh, she plucked the phone from it's charger.
"Hello?" Lisa's voice still quivered.
"Hi honey." The familiar voice of her father reassured her. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she responded.
"You don't sound okay, do you want me to come up there for a bit?" Lisa knew this was a habitual phrase for her father. She was hundreds of miles away; he couldn't catch a cab.
"Dad… I'm fine, Bruce and I; we're just watching a movie…"
Joe sighed. "Honey, I just wanted to call and say I miss you and I'm worried about you."
Lisa chuckled. No matter how far away she was, daddy would always be daddy. "I miss you too dad."
"So," her father stammered uncomfortably, "learn any new moves?"
"Oh." She smiled. "Yeah, they taught me a few punches. The instructor says I'm doing well, and I should be ready for the next belt test soon. I just have to practice some falls."
"Leese," her father interrupted earnestly, "I want you to know I'm proud of you."
"Dad?"
"Even though I can't come to your rescue, I know you can take care of yourself."
"Dad…" Lisa blushed. She didn't consider herself that good at karate, but she knew enough to defend herself. She just hoped she would never use it. In the meantime, it kept her in shape.
"Okay honey, I think I've embarrassed you enough for one night," Joe conceded after a long, breathy pause. "Love you."
"I love you too dad." She hung up the phone and sighed. Bruce gazed quietly into her eyes.
"That was grandpa. He says hi." The dog swiped his paw over his face. She smiled. Her dad managed to save her from Jackson once again.