"Okay," he said. "They're ha... having a par...
party at Wally's house to... tonight," he added. "You don't have to say it. I'm sure it's a
celebration. Good riddance to them all."
"Can... can... can I see... see you tomorrow?
Maybe we can go to a movie."
"No. I'm going someplace with my mother. and
I'll be gone most of the day. We'll see each other
during the week," I promised.
"Okay." he said, dripping with disappointment. Afterward I tried to finish the homework Randy
had given me the day before, but my mind kept
wandering. I couldn't help thinking about Daddy,
wishing he was here to give me advice in his
confident manner, filling me with my own selfconfidence and dissolving the ghosts of indecision,
fear, and anxiety. I tried to imagine what he would say
about all of this.
He would certainly tell me to have confidence
in my mother, and he would absolutely insist that I
stop moping about and let Mommy enjoy herself and
enjoy myself as well. He loved that expression.
"snatching victory from the jaws of defeat," especially
when it came to famous naval battles.
Are you your father's daughter, or aren't you? I
asked my image in the mirror.
I answered by putting on the outfit Mommy had
bought me, looking in the mirror, and thinking about
the day we were about to enjoy. I wasn't being honest
with her earlier. I really was looking forward to seeing
that estate, riding in the limousine, going out on a real
yacht. What harm could come of it? I even liked how
I looked in this expensive outfit.