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

Chapter 16

Edited – 2/25/2020

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was early Christmas morning when Tilisia ran into my room and jumped on my bed for me to wake up. After telling her to make sure my parents were up to, I slowly got out of bed and put a shirt on before heading downstairs where the family was waiting.

After all the presents were sorted out, Tilisia began to excitedly unwrap her large pile of gifts. Us older people were a little slower to do the same, taking time to appreciate each item.

It was the most civil day of the year at my house ever since hurricane Kimberly came along.

Rather than sending me glares throughout the day, dad would just glance at me as a silent thank you for whatever I got him, and I would return the gesture when I came upon something he got for me.

Outside of Tilisia's ooh's and aah's and a few scattered thank you's, the room was quiet. Mom tried a couple of times to start a conversation, but it always fell flat.

Finally, once everything was unwrapped, we pulled out the stockings and began to rummage through them.

As Tilisia pulled the small trinkets and candy bars out of hers, she eventually reached a small box wrapped in a shimmering red paper with her name beautifully written on it.

"Don't unwrap that yet, Tilisia." I said quickly before getting up and running back to my room, reminded of the conversation I had with Ain the night before.

After Ain helped Tilisia into the car, he gestured for me to follow him to the back of the car.

"The gift I gave you for Tilisia..." He started awkwardly, "Um... Well, could you..."

"You can say whatever it is, Ain." I encouraged gently.

A light tint of pink covered his cheeks and tips of his ears as looked around bashfully, trying to avoid my inquiring gaze.

"Uh... Well... um..." He took a deep breath in before trying again, "Could you... maybe... Um.... Tellmehowshelookswhensheseesit?"

He rushed the words out so fast that I almost didn't catch them all.

I smiled at him, "You know, Ain. I may have a great New Year's present for you."

I ruffled his hair and walked to the driver's side of my car, "Merry Christmas Ain."

"Merry Christmas, sir."

Once in my room, I grabbed the video camera I was gifted last year and turned it on to make sure it still worked. After confirming that it did, I went back downstairs, pointed it at a confused Tilisia, and started recording.

"Okay, you can open it now."

She raised her eyebrow before letting her face relax into a smile and gently unwrapping the gift.

Her confused gaze returned when the only thing in the wrapping paper was a satin box.

"It's a fuzzy box." She stated, clearly disappointed.

"Tilisia, you have to open the box."

She looked at the box again and realized her mistake. When she finally opened it, her eyes widened in excitement and wonder.

"What's in the box, Tili?" Mom was trying to peer over her shoulder to catch a glimpse, but Tilisia pulled it out of the box for her to see.

It was the Tinkerbell necklace from the Disney store.