Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
My dad stared at me, his face red even as his mouth opened and closed a few times.
“This isn’t what your mom would have wanted for you,” he said in a low, broken voice. “I’ve let Margaret down. I haven’t been a good father.”
I shake my head firmly and my voice is fierce.
“No, that’s not true, Dad. You’re an amazing father, and Margaret would be proud of us, and proud of me for graduating from high school and then working hard to support my child. There are many ways to succeed in life and being a single mom is a form of success in and of itself. I know it’s not what you or I anticipated, but this is what I want.”
My dad looked at me with tears brimming in his eyes, and then enveloped me in tight hug while speaking in a choked voice.
“I suppose you’re right, honey. I’ve just been so lost ever since your mom died, and sometimes I wonder if I’m even raising a daughter the right way. I wish Margaret was still with us.”
I hug him back, his portly form solid and round with tears in my eyes.
“I know Dad, but Mom’s gone, and it’s just us now. I miss Mommy too, but at least we have each other. And now, you’ll have a grandchild too.”
Harold shed some tears then, but we pledged to make good of this development and to take care of the new addition to our family as best as possible. He never demanded to know the identity of Georgie’s father, nor what role this mystery man would have, which I was grateful for. I hate telling lies, and I would have had to spin a complicated yarn about my baby’s conception. It was better just to never address the subject.
Plus now, I have baby Georgie, and my child is delightful. He’s always been an easy baby from the moment he was born, sleeping through the night almost immediately. Even more, he reminds me of his father with his dark hair and big blue eyes, albeit Georgie has a chubby baby face and a smile so winsome it can make your heart crack open with love.
Plus, it was difficult, but my dad and I have made it work. During the week, I take care of Georgie while my dad goes to Lancaster Industries, and then on weekends, I work full days at SexyFlow while my dad watches Georgie. I haven’t gone back full-time yet, but I’m researching babysitters so that when I do, Georgie has someone kind and loving to look after him. Money is tight, but the walls of our small house are filled with love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Bye honey,” I whisper to my boy one Saturday morning before pressing a kiss to his tiny baby forehead. “Mommy loves you. Grandpa will be taking care of you today, but I’ll be back soon, okay? You guys have fun.”
My son cooed and shook his rattle again while my dad looked on with pride.
“Go ahead and head off to work, Pen. I’ve got this. We’re going to have a good time today, aren’t we Georgie? Look what Grandpa has for you – a new toy!”
My son squealed with excitement as my dad pulled out a small, stuffed octopus.
“Oh Dad, you didn’t have to,” I say with an exasperated smile. “Georgie has so many stuffed animals already, and he doesn’t need another one.”
My dad merely beams as Georgie seizes the octopus and shakes it around wildly.
“Nothing’s too good for my grandson,” Harold says in a proud voice. “Now can you tell Grandpa how many legs the octopus has? One – two – three –”
I smile fondly while letting myself out the front door. Georgie is only a few months old and far too young to know his numbers, but I suppose it’s never too early to start. He and my dad get along like two peas in a pod, and I’m grateful for all the blessings that I have.
My beat-up Acura pulls up into SexyFlow and I look around the parking lot. Yep, there’s Helen’s Honda Accord and Missy’s Toyota Corolla. We’re not a fancy lot, but that’s okay. We’re down to earth, hardworking girls here to make life just a tiny bit better by making women feel beautiful about themselves. I’m proud of the work I do, and no one can take that away from me.
As I breeze into the shop, Missy waves.
“Hey girl, just getting set up. How’s the baby?”
“He’s good,” I smile. “He’s with my dad, so I’m sure they’ll get up to all sorts of shenanigans today. Do I have any appointments lined up?”
“Sure do,” Missy says with a smile while looking down at the receptionist’s calendar. “You have one at ten a.m., so the customer should be showing up any moment now. She’s a new one, so take special care of her,” she winks.