"Where's daddy, Marissa?" I asked the blind woman, even though I thought I knew the answer.

"He didn't tell me where, Arianna," She replied, "He just said he had something to do this evening."

"Oh." I replied.

It was about six o'clock Thursday evening. I had yet to decide whether I'd try out for baseball. I was getting worried about my father. This was the third night this week that he had missed supper. He would leave around five o'clock and not get back 'till seven.

Suddenly, I had a thought. Though, I wasn't sure if it was good or bad. I decided to ask Marissa.

"You don't think he's been going out to dinner with somebody, do you, Marissa?" I asked her.

"I don't know, Arianna," Marissa shrugged, "I don't think Gary's been on that many dates since your mother passed away."

He hadn't. I knew that. He had probably been on about three different dates in the past twelve years. He still missed my mother a lot. I could tell.

Oh, well. I guess I'd have to ask him.

It was Friday and I was sitting on the bleachers, waiting for the baseball coach to call my name. Yes, between Jessa and my father, I had been convinced to try out. I had been practicing every day after school with Jessa and her brothers."Arianna Hobson, your next." He finally called me up.

Uneasily, I got up and picked up a helmet and a bat. I looked around; there were about 20 other kids there besides me and Jessa.

Amazingly, I did well at the try outs and felt pretty sure of myself that I would end up on the team.

As I walked the five blocks home, I thought about my father. I hadn't had supper with him since Monday night and I had come to the conclusion that he was dating somebody. I didn't like it either. I knew I was being selfish, but I had had daddy to myself for the past twelve years and this was a sudden change.

I knew that I should be happy for him, but I couldn't bring myself to like the idea of having to share daddy with anything, besides the Paper. I probably wouldn't mind so much if he would at least have supper with me.

When I reached the front of McGinty's the first thing I noticed was a fancy, red car parked up front. My heart sank. That car could have belonged to anybody, but I had my suspicions that it belonged to someone I wouldn't like.

I shifted the weight of my backpack on my shoulder and walked inside. I didn't see them at first, but after I looked more closely, I could see daddy sitting at the bar, talking to a woman.

He looked happy; talking and laughing with the woman. I don't think that I've seen him that happy in quite some time. I felt bad for my earlier thoughts. I decided that I would at least give the lady a chance.

Suddenly, daddy stood up and pointed at me. He and the woman got up and walked over to me.

She was of medium height, her light-blonde hair was wavy around her face, she had a good complexion, and her eyes; her eyes were a cold blue. She didn't look trustworthy to me and my thoughts about giving her a chance vanished.

Suddenly, I was ashamed of my appearance. I had on blue jeans (they were covered with clay), a purple sweatshirt, and clay-covered, tennis shoes. My hair was a bit messy and I had a tiny bit of clay smeared across my cheek; all from playing baseball earlier.

"You must be Arianna," the woman crooned in a bitter-sweet voice, "I'm Clarice Sullivan. Your father, Gary, he's told me so much about you, dear."

"Oh, really," I replied with mock courtesy, looking straight at daddy, "That's funny. I haven't heard anything about you."

Daddy cleared his throat, while rubbing the back of his neck, "Well, I, um, I, I meant to, to, but I guess I, well, uh…"

"That's quite all right, darling," Clarice interrupted daddy, "It doesn't really matter now. Come now, dear, why don't you come sit with your father and I? We can have a nice little chat and you and I can get to know each other."

Hesitantly, I looked from Clarice to daddy, then back at Clarice again. "Would you excuse me for a few minutes… please?" I asked softly.

"Of course, darling," Clarice said with that annoying, cool, bitter-sweet voice, "But, please hurry back. I look forward to talking with you."

I flashed her a weak smile, then headed for the office. Glancing back, I noticed that daddy had stood up to come after me. I'm sure he knew how I felt about the whole situation, but Clarice grabbed him by his arm and pulled him down to sit beside her.

I couldn't take it anymore. I scurried to the office. Closing the door behind me, I let out a shaky breath and allowed myself to slide to the floor. I didn't notice Marissa sitting at her desk, "watching" me.

I had tried; tried to let myself like her, but Clarice was not right for my father. And she didn't like me either. Even I could tell that right away. Besides, she was taking daddy away from me. He must have been having dinner with her the past few nights. Not fair!

Sure, she was pretty. I'll give her that much. And she acted nice, but that was just it. She acted nice. Even if she does like daddy, she doesn't like me.

I wiped away a tear that had managed to slip down my cheek. Daddy had been spending all his time with Clarice lately. He hadn't spent hardly any time with me. It was the Paper and Clarice. It looked like Clarice was taking my place.

"You're being self-centered and selfish," A voice in my head condemned me, "Can't you see how happy your father has been these past few days?"

Yes, I could see how happy he's been. He's been very happy, but that's all because of Clarice. And I wasn't really angry at my father. It was Clarice that I was angry with. A sob escaped my throat as another tear ran down my cheek.

"Arianna, what's the matter?" Marissa asked me.

I looked up with a start. How long had she been there?

"Are you sick, Arianna?" She inquired.

"N-no," I stammered, "No, Marissa. I, I'm fine. Th-thank you."

"Are you sure? You don't sound fine." She pointed out, concerned.

"Oh, y-yes," I lied, "I, I feel fine. I think I'll just g-go upstairs for a l-little while. I'll see y-you later."

Marissa didn't believe me and I knew it. As I left the room, I heard her get up and head for the bar. She was going to tell daddy about her concerns for me. How she would do it with Clarice sitting there? I don't know.

When I reached the loft, I immediately went to daddy's bed and sat down. Why didn't he tell me? I deserve to know, don't I? As I lay on daddy's bed, thoughts like that were running through my head. When did he meet her? Where?

After only a few minutes, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs; daddy's footsteps. Opening the loft door, daddy spotted me lying on his bed, my head propped up on the headboard. He came over and sat down beside me.

"Arianna?" He tried.

I didn't say anything. I didn't really feel like talking.

"Arianna, can we talk?" He asked me again. I could hear the desperation in his voice and I nodded reluctantly.

"About Clarice…" He started.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust and daddy gave me a disapproving look.

"Stop it, Arianna," He scolded me gently, "Why are you acting like this? You never act this way."

"I don't like her." I plainly said.

"You don't like Clarice?" He asked me, surprised.

I shook my head strongly, "You like her a lot, don't you? She's really important to you, isn't she?"

"Why don't you like her?" He didn't answer my questions.

I just shrugged. How was I supposed to tell him that I thought he was spending too much time with Clarice? How was I supposed to tell him how selfish I was being?

"Listen, Arianna," He sighed, running his fingers through his thick, dark hair, "I'm really very sorry. I should've told you about Clarice a long time ago. You deserve to know. And honestly, I thought I did tell you," he paused for breath, "I'm sorry this was such a shock to you, honey. Do you think that maybe you could forgive me? Please?" I could see it in his mud-green eyes: the desperate search for forgiveness, the need for me to not be angry with him.

I smiled through the small pool of tears that had been threatening to spill over. I thrust myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck and he held me in a secure embrace.

"It's okay, daddy," I whispered against his neck, "I'm not mad at you. I love you, daddy."

"I love you Ari," He pulled me away from him and our eyes met in a steady gaze, "And I want you to know something; no matter who might ever come along, no matter what happens; they could never take your place. You're the most important part of my entire life. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

He pulled me into another hug and I smelled the familiar scent of cinnamon and Old Spice. I felt warm and safe.

Daddy buried his nose in my hair and sniffed, "Your hair smells like cotton candy." He mumbled against my hair.

I giggled at his remark.

"Well, aren't you two a cozy sight?" A voice commented.

Daddy and I looked up at the door. Clarice was standing in the doorway. I released my hold on daddy and he stood up.

"Clarice," He said, "I was coming back down."

"Oh, I know, Gary," She shrugged, "But I thought I'd better remind you that we have to leave in twenty minutes if we're going to be on time tonight."

"On time?" I inquired curiously.

"Yes, dear," Clarice replied walking into the room, "Your father and I are going to see a movie tonight… together."

"Oh." I replied. I noticed how she emphasized the word together.

"Sorry, Arianna," Daddy apologized, "I meant to tell you about tonight."

"That's okay, daddy," I said. I gave him a quick hug and forced myself to smile, "Have a good time, alright?"

I left the loft and walked downstairs into the office. Marissa was, once again, sitting at her desk.

"Hi, Arianna," She greeted me.

"How do you do that?" I asked her. She could always seem to tell who it was that walked into the room.

"Do what?"

"Never mind." I brushed it off.

"How're you feeling, Arianna?" She asked me.

"Feeling?" I tried to catch on to what she was asking.

"Yes, you seemed upset a little while back." She reminded me.

"Oh, that," I said, "I'm fine now. Thank you."

"No problem." She smiled and sat a stack of papers off to the side.

"No. I mean, thank you… for everything, Marissa." I said softly.

Marissa smiled, "You're a special girl, Arianna."

I both beamed and blushed at her compliment.

"Where's Gary?" Marissa asked me.

My smile faded, "He and Clarice are going to a movie tonight… together."

"Arianna?" She started.

"Mmm?"

"How do you feel about this?" She asked me, "About Clarice?"

I sighed and sat down on the couch, "I don't know, Marissa, daddy's been awful happy lately and I'm glad for him. I really am. I know he misses my mother a lot."

"Yes, he does." Marissa nodded.

"But, I miss daddy, Marissa." I told her.

"What are you talking about, Arianna?" Marissa asked me. She was very confused.

"Daddy's been spending all his time with Clarice, Marissa," I explained, spilling my feelings, "He, he doesn't seem to have time for me anymore. He's been gone every night the past few days. I, I guess I'm being selfish, but I can't help it. Even before, the Paper didn't keep him away this much."

Marissa came over and sat down on the couch beside me, "It's alright to feel this way, Arianna. It's totally understandable." She assured me.

"No, it's not," I shook my head, "I'm being selfish."

"You're used to having Gary to yourself all the time, Arianna," She explained, "It's always been that way. There has never been anyone else to share that time with. This has been a big change and adjustment for you, so it's perfectly understandable."

"Maybe," I sighed.

"Here it comes!" I ran back and caught the baseball with my gloved, right hand. It was Saturday and I was practicing baseball with Jessa and her brothers; Michael, age 14, Chris, age 10, and Spencer was 8. Jessa has two sisters, too; Amie and Stephanie. Amie is 16 and doesn't like to play such things and Stephanie is five and too young.

Yesterday was the baseball tryouts and I thought that I had done pretty well; for a beginner, anyway. We wouldn't find out who made the team until Monday, but in the mean time, the boys helped us practice, just as they had been doing all week.

"You caught it, Arianna!" Jessa exclaimed happily, "You caught it!"

"You're definitely getting better, Arianna." Chris patted me on the back.

"Thanks," I tossed the ball to Spencer, "You know I'm glad you convinced me to play baseball. It's almost as much fun as soccer."

"Hey," Jessa joked, "What are friends for? I always know best, don't I, Arianna?"

"You wish." I grinned.

"We'd better head for home, guys," Michael announced, looking at his watch, "Mom's going to want us home for supper pretty soon."

So, we packed up our gear and headed for home. The Wissmann's going their way and me going my own way. Sometimes I envy Jessa because she's got a bunch of siblings. I always have fun when I go to her house. There's always somebody to play with.

Then, I try to imagine my life without daddy, or without Marissa, and I can't do it. No, I would never have my life any other way.

I walked into McGinty's and sat my backpack behind the bar. Then I went and poured myself a glass of ice water. Despite the fact that it was a bit cool outside, I was hot and sweaty from playing ball with the Wissmann's.

I saw daddy talking to Marissa and sighed with relief. Clarice was no where to be seen; for once.

I finished the last of my water and walked over to daddy and Marissa. Marissa was informing him of the fact that two of the employees had called in sick that day.

"What's the matter, daddy?" I asked, stopping beside my father.

"Matt and Tina both called in sick this morning, Arianna," Daddy sighed wearily, "And we're really busy today."

I thought for a moment, and then got an idea, "I'll help." I stated.

"Are you sure?" Marissa asked.

"Yeah," I replied, already going to the bar and getting a waitress' apron, "I can take orders for you."

"Thanks honey," Daddy gave me a quick hug, "Now, I think that I'd better start mixing the drinks."

"This ought to be interesting." Marissa commented, as I tied the apron around my waist.

I grabbed a notebook, two pencils, and a bunch of straws, and I put them in my apron pockets.

I went to my first table, smiled, and asked, "May I take your order please?"

"Yeah," The man said, rubbing his chin, "Do ya have any sandwiches? I just want a sandwich."

"Yes, sir," I replied, jotting down his order, "Anything else?"

"Nope, that's it." He stated.

"Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes."

About ten minutes later, I brought the man his order.

"You're kind of young to have a job, aren'cha, darlin'?" He asked me curiously.

"This is my father's place," I told him, "I'm helping today."

"Oh, well, ya do a good job, little lady," He told me, grinning, "Thank ye."

I grinned and went back to work. He was a pretty nice customer, but he wasn't from Chicago. I could tell. He was in his late-sixties and his dark hair was now mostly gray.

A few minutes later, I brought the man his check. He had finished his sandwich and was relaxing in his chair.

"Thanks," He said, "Say; what's ya name, darlin'?"

"Arianna."

"George Gunter," He held out his hand and I shook it, "You're a swell waitress, Arianna. I might be requesting my service from ye more often."

"Thank you, Mr. Gunter." I replied.

"Here," He held out two dollars, "Take this here money, darlin,"

"Oh, you don't have to do that, Mr. Gunter." I protested, taking a step back.

"I want to," He said, "Here, take the money and buy ye-self somethin' nice."

"Thank you." I said, accepting the money.

"Ye's very welcome, darlin'." He said.

I watched as he paid his bill and left. I wondered how often he had come in before. He seemed like a pretty nice guy and I hoped he would come in again sometime.

As I continued to take orders, I saw the red car pull up; Clarice Sullivan. I rolled my eyes and let out a deep breath. Here we go again.

I saw Clarice get out of her car and head for inside. She came into the bar and headed for daddy. Taking off my apron, I picked up my baseball and took that chance to run outside. I was going to try to learn more about her.

I noticed that she had left her car doors locked, but her windows were down; besides, this was the kind of car where the roof comes off. Pleased with my discovery, I looked around. Nobody was looking, so I climbed into her car.

The car smelled terrible; like too much perfume. Ignoring the smell, I began to look around for something that would tell me a little more about Clarice. I didn't find much at first; only two CDs, a pack of sugar-free gum, a hair brush, perfume, and a bottle of drinking water. But, I finally found something that made everything crystal-clear; a business card.

Clarice A. Sullivan
Attorney at Law

That explained it all; everything I wanted to know… for now, anyway. The card had her phone number on it, so I stuck it in my jeans pocket. Climbing into the backseat, I continued my search. I realized that Clarice is an orderly person. There was no trash on the floor or anything.

Suddenly, I heard the McGinty's door open and Clarice and daddy's voices coming near the car. I was busted.

I heard Clarice clear her throat then say, "Um, Arianna, darling, do you mind telling me what you're doing on the floor of my car?"

I looked up into the faces of daddy and Clarice. Clarice looked a bit annoyed and daddy, well, I couldn't tell if he was disappointed in me or not. His head was cocked to the left and, well, looked confused mostly.

"What are you doing, Arianna?" Daddy asked me.

"I, um, well, I, I, you see, my ball," I held up the ball I had brought in the car with me, "I was playing with it, and I, I dropped it in th-the window by m-mistake."

"Well, you've found it, so why don't you come on out now, Arianna?" Clarice opened the car door and I climbed out of the vehicle.

"Thank you," Clarice said, and then gave daddy a kiss on the cheek, "I'll see you later." Then she got in her car and left.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and reluctantly turned around. I looked upward into daddy's face and knew what was coming.

"Arianna…" He began.

"Yes, sir," I looked down at my dirty tennis shoes.

"Arianna, what were you doing in Clarice's car?" He asked me, his arms crossed across his chest.

"You already asked me that." I tried to avoid the answer.

"And I'm asking you again," He wasn't going to let this go, "What were you doing in the car?"

"My baseball?" I tried, holding up my ball, even though I knew that it wouldn't work.

He shook his head, "Uh-uh."

"Well, I guess, I was looking for… for things." I finally gave in.

"Things? What kind of things, Arianna?" He asked me.

"You know…" I paused, "Information; things about Clarice."

"Honey," He asked me, clearly exasperated, "What in the world gave you the idea to snoop around in someone's car without their permission?"

I just shrugged because I didn't really have answer for that. Daddy rarely gets very irritated when he scolds me. I guess I must have chosen a bad day to go through somebody's car.

"I don't know, daddy," I explained, "But, I wanted to learn more about Clarice. I don't know anything about her." I met his gaze.

"You're partly right, Arianna," Daddy sighed, "Why don't we go for a walk, okay?"

We started to walk down the sidewalk and I could tell that daddy was thinking about something. I knew, though, that if I remained quiet, he would speak in his own time.

"Clarice is an attorney," Daddy finally began and I fingered the business card in my pocket, "I met her when I kept her from getting hit by a train on Monday. She's never been married before, moved to Chicago from California two years ago. She's got an older brother in Florida, and…" Daddy went on to name a number of other things.

"You don't have plans for tomorrow night, do you?" Daddy asked me. We were at the park now, sitting on a bench.

"No," I replied, "Why?"

"Because," He explained, "Clarice would like for us three to go out to dinner tomorrow night. How does that sound?"

"Uh, great," I lied. I had been hoping that it would be just me and daddy the next night, but at least that meant we had tonight to ourselves, "That sounds great."

"Good. Hey," Daddy motioned towards my ball, "Why don't you run out there a ways and I'll throw this to you."

I grinned and ran out in the grass. Daddy stood up, threw the ball to me, and to my surprise, I caught it. I was improving.

"Good catch!" he called out, grinning like a school boy.

We tossed a couple more balls back and forth, and then decided to call it quits for supper. I had some preparing to do because I had to spend an evening with Clarice the next night.