It's been almost 3 years since Sue left us. We're both fine now. We've tucked her away in a special place in our hearts and we've moved on.
Often, during my quiet time, I would think of her. Not the picture of her laying dead on the kitchen floor. Now, I would see her face, with that look of love she had when she would move into my arms and give me a sweet kiss. Or that look of passion mixed with love as our bodies and souls joined. Maybe that's why I hadn't found another woman to take into my heart. Maybe there was only room for her and Brenda. I often wondered if that would ever change.
Brenda is all grown up now. She had turned eighteen a month ago and is close to finishing her senior year. The Senior Prom is next on the list. She and her bestie, Marcie, are out shopping for their special dresses. I was watching the Lakers blow a fifteen point in the fourth quarter when the front door burst open.
"Daddy, Daddy. I got the perfect dress and it only cost three hundred dollars."
I almost spewed my drink all over the coffee table.
"Three hundred dollars? Shoes were another three hundred?"
"I didn't get shoes. I'm wearing my strappy heels. They're perfect with this dress."
"Thank god for small favors."
"You wanna see it. I'll go put it on."
"Sure. I'd like to see a three hundred dollar dress."
Twenty minutes later she walked out. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open. She was a vision.
"Whatcha think, Daddy?"
"It's beautiful, honey. Tony is gonna be impressed too."
"Tony is easy to impress. He want's us to go steady. He asks me almost every day."
"I thought you really liked him."
"He's just a friend. I haven't met anyone I want to go steady with. I'm waiting for that special guy."
"All the girls will notice you too. They'll hate you."
"Daddy, there are other girls there prettier than me."
"Nope. That's not possible."
"Thank you, Daddy. I love you."
"I love you too, grumble, grumble, three hundred dollars"
Prom night rolled around and she was all excited getting ready. Tony had a car so I wouldn't be involved in driving them to and from the school. They was double dating with Marcie and her date.
She came out a few minutes before Tony was due.
"How do I look, Daddy?"
I gave her a quick once over.
"Beautiful, honey. Any man would be proud to be your date."
She just smiled.
Do you have any plans for after the dance? Any parties you're going to?"
"Nothing planned, but someone may come up with something."
"OK, if Tony drinks anything, you call me to come and get you. No drinking and driving allowed."
"Don't worry, daddy."
I took a pack of condoms from the drawer in my end table and walked up to her. I held them out to her.
"As I remember, it's traditional to have sex on Prom night. I don't know what you have planned, but put these in your purse just in case. I'm not ready to be a grandpa yet."
"Daddy! Tony is just a friend. I'm not gonna have sex with him."
"OK, and be careful if you go to any parties. Someone may slip something in your drink."
"Daddy. Please don't worry. I know about all that stuff."
"I know, honey. I guess I'm just a normal Dad. I love you and it's my job to worry."
"Thank you. I love you too."
The doorbell rang, she kissed me on the cheek and in a flash she was gone. I sat in my recliner and tried to concentrate on the ball game I was watching. I didn't do so well.
Eleven o'clock came and went so I figured she had gone to a party. I kept one eye on the clock, thinking she would be home at about midnight. I wasn't about to go to bed. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway, anyhow.
A little after midnight I heard a car pull up. In just a few seconds she came in the door. I heard tires squeal as she closed the door.
"Hi, honey. How'd it go?"
"Oh my god, Daddy. It was great. Jerry's parents let him invite some of us over after the dance."
"I heard Tony peel out when he left. Was he feeling his Wheaties, or what?"
"I think it was 'or what'. He had rented a motel room and wanted to get laid. He got really pissed when I told him no. He didn't say a word to me all the way back here."
"So I guess you aren't friends anymore."
"I don't know. Probably not. He can go home and take care of it himself."
"He probably will, thinking about you."
"Eewww! That's gross."
We both chuckled.
"I hope that didn't spoil the night for you."
"Nope, I had a great time. I think it spoiled his night, though."
"That would be a good bet."
"I'll be right back. I gotta change out of this dress."
A few minutes later she came back, dressed in her usual panties and t shirt.
"Hug, Daddy."
She climbed in my lap and put her arms around my neck.
"My little girl's all grown up on me. Turned eighteen, went to her prom, going to graduate, and off to college this fall. I'm really proud of you, Honey."
"And it was all made possible by the greatest Daddy in the world. You've always been there for me when I needed you. I wonder if they make a trophy for that. Maybe the Nobel Daddy prize."
"I'm glad you had a good time tonight. My prom was a big event for me too. Kinda like a milestone."
"They're hard work too. I'm exhausted. I'm gonna go to bed now. Good night."
"Waiting up for your daughter is too. Good night."
She kissed me on the cheek and headed for her bedroom.
I was kind of surprised that Brenda wasn't all excited about graduation. She explained it to me. To her it was more like moving up another grade because she had four more years of college ahead of her.
Of course I attended and made a big fuss when they called her name. I stood up and gave a few woots just to let everyone know I was proud of her. She looked out at me and smiled.
Two days later I had her drive me down to the Ford dealer in her little Honda. We traded it in on a brand new Mustang GT. I got some serious hugs and kisses for that one. I thought she was going to pee her pants.
***
Friday, just after lunch, I snuck out the back door and got in my car. I was taking the afternoon off. I was a salaried employee, under contract, so it wasn't a problem.
As I drove up to the house, I saw Marcie's car parked at the curb. I suspected she and Brenda were out back by the pool working on their tans. I walked into the living room and looked out the back sliding glass door. Sure enough, there were the two of them, each on a chaise lounge. Neither one had their tops on. I had to stand a look for a few minutes. Brenda's D's were something to behold. A carbon copy of her mothers. Marcie had a pert pair of C's riding on her chest.
I opened the door enough to stick my head out.
"Hey, you two. Cover up the girls, I'll be out in ten minutes."
I closed the door and went to change. While I was changing I couldn't help thinking that some lucky guy was going to think he had died and gone to heaven when he got Brenda out of her bra, and when her panties came off he would know it. I suspected that once she found her special guy, she wouldn't hold anything back.
I put on my swim trunks and flip flops. Grabbing a beach towel from the hall closet, and headed for the pool. I stopped and checked before I went through the slider. They both had their tops on.
I dropped my towel on the empty chaise and kicked off my flip flops. I dove in and did my ten laps. I floated around a little, spouting water like a whale. I got out, dried off and sat down. I grabbed Brenda's sun bloc and rubbed some on my shoulder and face.
"Daddy, will you do my back? I'm getting a little hot."
