Daddy's Little Girl, Too

Chapter 7: Lost and Found

It's just after midnight when the house alarm suddenly begins to sound. Nancy, whom had just fallen asleep, pops up in the bed to listen. The unmistakable sound of her husband stumbling in, eases Nancy's worry that a burglar hasn't broken in, yet, angers her at the same time.

Nancy tries to think of what she will say to Michael. How badly should she let him have it? Or, should she just pretend to be asleep and not start an argument?

Michael mumbles something angrily as he makes his way to the bedroom. Nancy can hear the slurs in his voice and knows he has been drinking. She quickly decides to close her eyes and keep quiet. She realizes that starting a fight with anyone that is intoxicated is a bad idea.

Michael crawls into the bed slowly, trying not to awake his, already awake wife. He settles in, and only moments later the soft sound of snoring can be heard.

Nancy lies still, listening, growing angrier by the second. Each snore pushes Nancy deeper into her rage. The smells of alcohol and cigarette smoke only add fuel to the fire. Nancy's mind is consumed by thoughts; 'Where had Michael been? What was he thinking, getting drunk and staying out half the night? How did he get home? Did he drive drunk? What's that sweet smell? It smells like perfume...has he been with another woman?'

Nancy tosses and turns most of the night. She does manage to get a few hours of sleep, but not enough to recharge her body.

The night remains silent, and Emma eludes the wrath of the horrid dreams. Sadly however, it makes no difference to the sleepiness that Nancy feels. Morning comes as always, much too soon, but Nancy doesn't hop from the bed to feed her family. She stays wrapped in her blanket and ignores the rising sun.

As it happens, everyone sleeps in a bit later than normal. Each member of the tired family has earned this much needed rest.

Michael is the first to remove himself from the desirable bed. He notices he has slept in his clothes. He hurries into the shower to wash himself of his late night of gallivanting. Hoping the soap will wash the lust away from his mind, he tries to forget about the sultry woman from the bar.

***

Nancy slowly makes her way into the kitchen to find Michael and Emma sitting at the table together. They are eating cereal and both seem happy. Nancy is glad to see Emma smiling, but she despises seeing Michael's smirk. She doesn't speak to either of them, and pours herself a coffee.

Nancy's silence has Michael wondering, "Hey Babe?"

Nancy shoots a fire-filled glare at her husband. "Don't 'hey babe' me!"

Michael is taken by surprise. "W-what?"

Nancy hisses, "Where were you last night?"

"I-I was out...I had a few dri--"

Nancy interrupts, "With who?"

Michael's eyes widen by her sudden question. "N-no one."

Nancy knows that is a lie. "Who is she?"

Michael isn't sure how Nancy knows he was amidst another woman, "No one...there is no 'she'...I swear."

Nancy is so upset by his lies that she can't even speak. She rolls her eyes and exits the kitchen in a huff.

Michael and Emma look to each other. Emma frowns, "Why is mommy mad?"

Michael's lying continues. "Mommy isn't mad. She's just tired." Michael leaves Emma alone at the table and proceeds to the bedroom to find Nancy.

***

Michael finds his wife has returned back to the bed. She is lying on her side sniffling. Michael hates to see her in such pain. He sits beside her and begins to rub her back. "Nancy?"