Vicky stands and closes the fridge, looking back at you with a cheerful smile.
"Vicky?" you say, trying not too sound too affected by what you've just seen.
"Umm... yeah...?" she reply, her smile slowly fading as she recognize the tone in your voice.
"You remember last week, when we argued about that skirt?"
"Yeah, I do..." she says, a defensive tone in her voice and her eyes narrowing. "I thought we were done with that discussion."
"So did I, but I must admit I didn't really take your... underwear into account back then."
Her eyes blink uncertainly a few times, and you prepare to continue when she suddenly compose herself.
"What about it?" she snaps, cutting you off before you can continue. "I like to wear string, and I doubt anyone would mind if I did. Except you, of course!"
You try to speak again, but she interrupts you again. "I bet you'd tell the other girls at school as well, if you'd dare to check them out!"
"What...?" you say, confused.
"Yeah, it's all about you!" she says. "You haven't even looked at a woman since... since... back then!" she finish a bit lamely, the subject being quite sensitive for both of you, but then she continue before you've catched your breath. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but you always look right through them, never seeing them for what they are! I've seen how they look at you, heard them talking. I doubt there's even one of the female teachers, or students either, that hasn't turned to get another look at you as you pass!"
You just sit there, staring at your daughter as she's yelling at you.
"You're handsome and still far from too old to get a new girlfriend! I know that there's lots of women out there that wants you, but you just never seem to notice as you keep walking in the same old tracks!" She stops a moment and frowns. "I even asked Sarah to try flirting with you. Did you notice? Not at all! So what's wrong with you?!"
Vaguely you remember Sarah acting a bit... weird... ever since the school started this year. Flirting with you...? Well... Now that you think about it... And others as well...? You know you haven't been that interested for the last years, but you still would have noticed... wouldn't you?
"Well?" Vicky demands of you, and you look up at her, feeling something slowly fall into place inside of you.
Without a word, you stand up and walk over to her, embracing her and holding her tight as you bury your face in her long hair.
"Dad...?" you hear her ask you, sounding a little worried as she hugs you back.
"Thanks, Vicky." you tell her. "I think I needed that." you lean back and smile at her, looking into those beautiful blue eyes. |