Daddy Issues

Chapter 2

Sue went to get her lunch at a nearby diner; Joe's Diner. She came there often in her college days. It was where she wrote her first novel and gained her coffee addiction. She placed her order and waited at her usual table at the very back staring out the window. The rain poured heavily and fogged up the glass. She used the opportunity to draw cracked hearts on the glass. If her employees ever found out she had a heart, that would be the end of her wicked reign.

The bell pinged as the door opened. A little angel skipped in holding on tightly to an older man's hand. Sue could only assume it was the girl's father. "Daddy, daddy! I want pancakes." The blonde angel sang. Assumption correct.

He held her hands lifting her slightly with every step making her skip to the counter. The little girl pointed at the menu board excitedly, adamant about receiving her pancakes. Her father just laughed lightly at her excitement. His laugh was light-hearted and contagious. It made Sue smile even if it was a small one. Sue turned back to the window and stared at the falling water droplets. The skies were crying.

Little Susie pushed open the heavy door to the ice cream parlour. Everything and everyone was so big compared to her 6-year-old frame. It was a Friday. Friday was ice cream day. She looked at the other little girls and boys passing with their mommies and daddies.

She walked up to the counter and called out to the cashier. "Susie, what are you doing here all by yourself?" The cashier looked how Susie felt; confused. "Why are you crying, pumpkin?"

Susie didn't realize till then that her eyes were welling up with tears. She blinked and they fell down her rosy cheeks. Her lower lip quivered, and her innocent eyes were wide. "Today is Friday," Susie said as if it should have been obvious. "Friday is ice cream day." She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands and sniffled.

"My daddy never came to pick me up. Daddy was suppose-, he was supposed to pick me. He always picks me up." Susie's crying was getting louder. People were starting to stare. "I want my daddy!" She wailed.

"Sue!" Sue was startled back to reality by the old man who stood over her now.

She smiled a genuine smile. "Joe." She got up to give the plump old man a tight hug. "I've missed you old man."

"And I you, pumpkin." Joe released her and gave her a once over. "You look more and more beautiful every time I see you."

Sue sat back down in the booth and Joe opposite her. "How have you been, Sue? How's that business of yours?"

"I'm alright, my business is going great. We're in the process for looking for a new head of department for Romance."

"Well I'm an old romantic myself." Joe patted his chest and sniffed proudly. Sue chucked and nodded in agreement.

"Don't I know it." Sue reached into her handbag and pulled up an envelope and handed it Joe. "In three months is our annual Gala. Call me when you're ready to buy a suit."

"Don't worry 'bout this old fox. I should have something from my good old days, in my closet."

"You had better, because you're going to be my date." Sue grinned widely at the graying geezer. He was old enough to be her granddad. She wished he was.

"An old man like me. Oh no no no."

"Oh Yes yes yes." Sue nodded smiling. She was always happy when she was taking to Joe. "You're the best man I know."

"Aww shucks, now you got me blushing." Joe feigned embarrassment. "Okay I'll go with you lil' lady but I hope you can keep up. I may be old, but I still got a few moves under my toupee." Sue laughed heartily at that. Joe got up and demonstrated his old school moves.