Chapter 2: ONE
Steve yawned at the end of the prayer and started to stand when Tory held his hand and whispered to him as though it was not something she wanted God to overhear.
" We haven't said the Lord's prayer yet. That's 'portant."
" Sure, honey." He began. " Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our ...." He trailed off at that allowing Tory to say the rest of the prayer. That was a sore part of the prayer. He knew it wasn't the exhaustion of yesterday nor the fact that he hadn't slept early that halted the words but a history that he refused to recollect.
"Good morning Daddy." She kissed his cheek.
"Morning, my love. How did you sleep?"
"Laid on my bed, closed my eyes and off I went to wonderland!!" She sang.
He chuckled, drew her into his arms and spread kisses over her face. "You are an angel. Love you darling”
"Love you too, Daddy"
"Time to shower and dress for school, honey."
" 'Kay Daddy. "
Routinely, she stood on her bed and allowed him to take off her clothes and carry her to the bath tub. As he poured shampoo on her pale golden hair that was just like his, Tory piped.
"Daddy, can I see mommy after school today?"
"Today is Tuesday." He reminded her, knowing as well as Tory that she saw her mother on Thursdays and Saturdays.
"I know. Can I? Please?"
"I think that Daddy's princess knows the answer to that."
"Oh please Daddy." She pouted and did the puppy eyes.
"Sorry princess, not working on Daddy."
"Okay, so can I sleep over on Saturday?"
"No!" He snapped without meaning to.
Tory pressed her lips together.
His heart constricted, he knew she was trying not to cry but he couldn't bring himself to apologise. He couldn't stand it if she asked him to let her see her mother beyond their agreement again. Besides he didn't get what was happening. Why was Tory suddenly asking to spend more time with her mother? He couldn't stand the thought. The fact that that sort of woman was his daughter's mother was more than he could bear. What was Jody saying to his daughter?
He tensed
No way.
She wouldn't dare turn his daughter against him, would she?
He counted one to ten in his head, took deep breaths as she rinsed off Tory's hair. He sat her up in the tub and crouched and met her sad eyes.
He sighed. "Princess, Daddy is sorry for yelling, okay?"
She nodded.
He sighed again. "Did your mommy tell you to ask me that?"
"No! I just want to."
He heard the unspoken 'Please Daddy' but didn't say anything. He wasn't going to consent to that no matter how much it hurt her.
He clenched his jaw as he poured more body wash on his palm, that woman would not stop until she had ruined him, would she now?
* * *
Steve bid Tory goodbye with a big kiss to her cheek as he dropped her in front of her class. His beautiful girl had begun grade school earlier in the year and he couldn't be more proud. He turned around to leave only to bump into a familiar woman.
"Mr Howard. Good morning."
He smiled at Tory's class teacher. "Good morning Ms Bryant. I'm sorry to have bumped into you."
"No, its okay. I guess I wasn't looking or I could have avoided it. I hope your princess is ready for another day at school?"
"Yes." He grinned. "She always is."
"I must commend your attention to Tory but could you please try and come earlier to pick her up starting today?"
"Yes, I will try. Thanks. I have to go now. Take care of yourself."
"You too, Mr Howard."
He started to walk away when he suddenly remembered the issue with Tory.
Tory liked her teacher very much and he knew that. Would Ms Bryant know if something was bothering Tory?
He turned back. "Ms Bryant?"
She seemed surprised when she turned back. "Is there a problem?"
"Not really...have you noticed any changes in Tory?"
She frowned and seemed to give it a thought. "No, she's the same as always. Is she okay?"
He nodded immediately. "Yes, she is. Probably just my imagination. Thanks. Have a nice day."
He walked away when she nodded.
His work cell phone rang then.
"Tell me David." He said without preamble
"Just called to remind you that the CEO, Greene incorporations booked a consultancy for 9:00am. That's thirty minutes from now."
"Of course, David. I haven't forgotten, but thanks for the reminder. Tell Josephine to prepare the conference room. I have no idea if he's coming with an assistant but tell her to make copies of the file she typed yesterday morning."
"I don't know why but I feel like if the idea you have to widen their business horoscope works, Howard Consulting Firm will be getting more jobs than we can handle and not just in New Jersey alone."
He grinned. "That's what I thought too. And be ready to hire more personnel as we'll be needing them very soon."
"Now that's why Howard never has a set back. Its because of Her boss' faith...let's not even begin with his optimism."
"Way to win the boss' heart, David." He chuckled
"Oh please. I'm the man who won God's heart, remember?"
Steve threw his head back and laughed. He opened his car, got in and drove away from Tory's school. "I beg to differ but you're not the same David of before Christ birth. I could easily agree that you were named after him but that's it."
"Too smart for your own good. But you can't deny I've won your heart."
He grinned.
"I'd bet my May's salary that you have a cocky grin and closest-thing-to-a-blush on your face right now."
He laughed out loud. "Oh my God, what would I do without you, David?"
"Admit it. Nothing." He laughed
"Are you sure you listen to Pastor Michael at all? Gambling is a sin, you know."
"I trust you to always set my head straight."
"That's right."
They both chuckled
"Okay, I will let you drive so you can get here as soon as you can."
"Miss me now?"
"Oh my goodness I can't believe you finally guessed the reason I called...took you long enough." He said sarcastically but jokingly as well.
"Get off my phone, David, before I get infected with your sarcasm.”
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone