Daddy Next Door. Judy Christenberry

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      “I’ll see you there.”

      He stood there watching as Jennifer led her three little girls to the bathroom. It reminded him so much of his childhood. When the triplets were four and he was eleven, their father had died, and he’d been responsible for the girls in the summer while his mother worked.

      It had been hard on all of them, but they’d survived and forged a bond that kept them close. Two of them were married now and the third was living in New York City. He kept up with them, though; after all, it was what his mother asked of him before she succumbed to cancer a couple of years ago.

      He shook off thoughts of his family and gathered up the shopping bags. He hoped Jennifer could afford all she was buying. Children were expensive in more ways than clothes.

      When he got back to the children’s department in the store in which they’d been shopping, he didn’t see any of them. But as he drew closer to the dressing room, he heard their voices.

      “I want to go outside with Nick,” Missy complained.

      “Nick is putting our bags in the car. I need you to try on this outfit, Missy. I think it will look very nice on you.”

      “But—”

      “Missy, try on these clothes. Then we’ll go see if Nick is back and you can sit with him. Or maybe he can help you find some Sunday shoes and some sandals.”

      “I get two new pairs of shoes?” Missy asked in astonishment. “But I already have these.”

      He could picture Missy sticking out her feet to show Jennifer her tennis shoes.

      “Just try on the clothes. Here, let me help you.”

      He didn’t hear much until Missy spoke up again after a few minutes. “Now can I go see if Nick is back?”

      “Yes, I’ll take you out there. Steffi, you and Annie stay here. I’ll be right back.”

      “I’m here, Jennifer,” Nick called. “Just send Missy out. I’ll take care of her.”

      Instead, Jennifer came out with Missy. “Would you mind taking her just across the aisle to find Sunday shoes and sandals?”

      “Sure. About what would you like to spend?”

      She looked at him blankly. Then she shook her head. “I don’t know what little girls’ shoes cost. Probably something under fifty. I’ll come pay for them in a minute.”

      Nick shook his head as Jennifer went back into the dressing room. He guessed she didn’t have to worry about money. Fifty dollars for kids’ shoes? He could do better than that.

      In fifteen minutes, he had chosen black patent leather shoes and white sandals for Missy. She was so excited, he had trouble keeping her from charging across the aisle to show Jennifer before he paid for them.

      When they got back to the dressing room, he sent Missy in to find Jennifer.

      Jennifer came out at once. “Did you tell them I’d be there in a minute to pay for them? I didn’t think—”

      “I paid for them, but I kept the receipt so you can pay me back. It was just easier that way.”

      “Oh. I shouldn’t— I didn’t think— Thank you. I’ll write you a check when we get a moment.”

      “Good. Now, are you ready for me to take one of the others shoe shopping?”

      Jennifer frowned. “Annie is ready, but…”

      “I’ll be very gentle with her and bring her back at once if she gets uneasy, I promise.”

      “I’ll go ask her.”

      In a minute, Jennifer came back out, holding Annie’s hand. “See, Annie? The shoes are just over there. Nick will take you to try some on. Then you can come right back here if I haven’t gotten over there yet.”

      “Okay,” Annie whispered.

      Nick thought it was a big step for Annie to trust him. He smiled warmly and offered his hand. It would be the first time he had touched her. Her big brown eyes held a lot of fear and hurt, but she slowly put her hand in his.

      “Same shoes for her?” Nick asked softly.

      Jennifer nodded. “I liked your choices for Missy, by the way. I don’t think she intends to take the sandals off even when she goes to bed tonight.”

      Nick grinned. “She did seem to like them. We’ll try to find shoes that will make Annie smile, too. Right, Annie?”

      She just stared at him.

      He led her over to the shoe section and they looked at what was available in her size. Nick patiently waited for her to make her selection, but she kept watching him, as if afraid she’d anger him if she made the wrong choice.

      “Annie, all these shoes are what Jennifer wants you to wear, so you can choose whichever you want to try on. There aren’t any bad choices. Just pick the ones you like most.”

      More silence.

      He waited patiently.

      Finally Annie pointed to a pair of the dress shoes.

      “Good. Are there any others that you want to try on?”

      She shook her head. Her hand was trembling in Nick’s. He knew this was a big step for Annie. He settled her in a chair and got the saleswoman to bring her size. He also asked for three pairs of sandals to be brought out, all in styles different from Missy’s. He’d learned with the triplets to get everyone something different, something that suited their unique personalities.

      Annie was quite different from Missy. She showed her enthusiasm with a quiet smile, by touching the shoes in a way akin to a caress. In no time she approved the shoes and picked out a pair of sandals.

      “I like these,” she whispered, looking down at her newly shod feet.

      “Okay, good choice, Annie,” he told the little girl, and paid for her shoes. Then he took her back to the dressing room and let her go show Jennifer.

      Jennifer came out without Annie. “You did a great job. She’s overcome with excitement.”

      “She has quiet excitement, doesn’t she?”

      “Yes. I worry that she’ll explode if she doesn’t learn to express her feelings more like Missy.” Then Jennifer grinned. “But I’ll admit I might enjoy her excitement better than Missy’s some of the time.”

      “I know. One of the triplets, Elizabeth, was very quiet, too. But she blossomed later.”

      “You really do have triplet sisters?”

      “Yes. Did you doubt me?”

      “It just seemed such a perfect story to make me accept you. I began to doubt it as I thought about everything.”

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