“So what’d he say to do?”
“Just to let the bug run its course, and he suggested having her play while sitting on her bed or at the kitchen table. He thinks that will help her back and knee pain and swelling should subside.”
“That’s good. Are you bringing her over tomorrow when you go to work?” Lorraine questioned.
“Yeah, we’ll be there at the usual time. See you in the morning.” I had said before we hung up the phone.
“Momma?”
“What Nevaeh?”
“I was wondering if you would read me a story tonight after I put my jammies on.”
“Sure baby, I’ll do that. Why don’t you brush your teeth and hop into bed? I need to give you some ibuprofen first, though, okay?”
My hazel-eyed sweetheart nodded her head, “Momma, is it all right if I wear my princess nightgown?”
“Yes, that’s fine. Why don’t you go get your pajamas on while I pour your medicine and then we’ll read you a story?”
“Yep! I’ll race you!” My daughter yelled, running to her bedroom.
I headed into the kitchen and measured out Nevaeh’s ibuprofen as I made her a cup of water. She was already in her PJ’s, waiting for me under her blanket and had her favorite book picked out— “Cinderella”. After I had given her the medicine, I snuggled beside her and began to read to her. As we were wrapping up the story, my little girl had a question for me.
“Momma when are you going to find your prince charming?”
“That’s a good question Nevaeh, hopefully, one of these days.” I sighed.
“But Momma, I want a daddy like all my friends at school,” she pleaded with me.
“I know baby. I’d rather you have two parents also, but mommy wants to make certain you have the best father in the whole wide world!” I smiled at my daughter as she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight.
“Momma? Is your heart big enough for both a mom and a dad?”
“What are you asking?”
“Does that mean you love me twice as much since I have just you?”
“Yes, I do Nevaeh. There’s not a thing in this universe I wouldn’t do for you! Now go to sleep.”
I had kissed my beloved angel good night before I went to my room. Nevaeh’s question rang through my head as I tried to fall asleep. When would I find the perfect guy to settle down with? My baby deserves to have a dad so much. My heart ached within my chest that Nevaeh longed to have a father figure. As hard as I worked to provide that little girl with everything she needed in life that was the one thing I couldn’t give her no matter how much money I had.
I thought about the attractive man that came into the restaurant. He seemed like a nice enough guy. I wonder if he’ll really call. There’s no clue what we’d even talk about. I couldn’t figure out why such a prestigious man would want to call me. I wonder if he thought I was pretty. I began to doubt myself. No, that can’t be. I’m just average looking, and I could stand to lose a few pounds.
As I imagined talking to him, I tried to envision how our conversation would go. Her eyes darted at the clock; it was 8:30 PM. I wondered what he was doing right now. I couldn’t get him out of my mind no matter how hard I tried. I wondered what his end game was; what was he after? At least now that Nevaeh was feeling a little better, I didn’t have to focus so much on her at the moment.
Butterflies stirred in my stomach as I thought about him calling me. Maybe he was all talk and no game. Odds were, if he hadn’t called me by now, he probably wouldn’t. I finally started to relax when my phone rang.
“Hello?” Dale said.
“Hi, Dale,” I nervously stuttered.
“Is this Kimberly?”
“Yeah.” I was speechless. He actually called!
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. How are you?”
“I’m doing great.” He answered.
There was an awkward silence for a few seconds. “I’m not sure why you called,” I said trying to break the silence.
“Ah, I wanted to call you to because I like you. You’re so beautiful and sweet. Now let’s talk about that date.”
“What?” I pondered in disbelief. “Why would you want to go out with me?”
“Because I know a good thing when I see it. What’s your schedule like this weekend?” he pushed.
I smiled. “You don’t give up easily, do you? I’m not sure right now. I mean, I don’t know you or anything, and I have a daughter.”