Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 3

Edited - 1/20/2020

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September - Three-years-old

"Daddy!"

Ah. The shrill call of an exasperated toddler. How adorable.

I went to Tilisia's room, only to see a giant mess of toys and clothes strewn across the floor.

"Looks like a tornado came through here..." I muttered.

Before I could inquire about what the problem was, Tilisia stopped in front of me with her arms crossed, bottom lip puffed out, and shoulders in a slouch.

"I dunno what ta' wear!" She said with a sad huff.

I knew it wasn't the time to think this, but she looked adorable with her pout. My heart was melting.

"I already told you that you have a uniform to wear." In fact, I told her two weeks prior to the current conversation that she had a uniform to wear. She almost had an aneurysm because of it. I guess she had decided to forget I said anything.

"But I don' wanna." She argued.

If there was one thing that I knew she hated, it was rules. She followed mine, but that's because she didn't want to get in trouble, but anyone else's rules never went unquestioned.

"Well, that really sucks. Too bad you don't have a choice." I said with a shrug.

She glared at me, but I just shrugged. I walked to her closet and pulled out the black and white uniform she was required to wear.

I tried not to scrunch my nose at it, but I couldn't help it. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why a preschool would have a uniform. It seemed pretentious, but I guess it couldn't be helped. They were the closest to my school and they were the only one that would let me do an early drop off so I could get to my first class in time.

When I showed her the outfit, she raised her eyebrow at me, "It's ugly."

"You'll have to get over that." I said with another shrug, "I've got school, mom's got work, and I wouldn't ask dad to watch you. It's only for a few hours a day."

"But boys won't like it!" I felt my heart stop. I abandoned the uniform on the floor as I picked her up in my arms.

"You don't need boys to like it. I'm the only important male in your life. Where did you even hear that from?"

Tilisia giggled, "Uncle Jake tell-ed me. He tell-ed me to say I wanna boyfriend."

Note to self: Kill Jake.

"Well, Jake is wrong, and you won't ever need a boyfriend. Ever. Legally, you can't date until I'm dead."

She giggled again before taking my face between her tiny hands, "I wanna boyfriend!"

"Ugh! You're so difficult." I muttered as I placed her back on the ground, "No boyfriends. Got that?"

"No!" She bolted out of the room before I could get a more agreeable answer. I had a feeling that a boyfriend at any point was going to be the death of me.

.

.

I walked into the preschool building holding Tilisia's hand.

I remembered the tour I took and recalled that they also did pre-k and kindergarten here. I just needed to remember which room was which. Once I figured out where I needed to be, I let go of Tilisia's hand and squatted down to her height.