NANNY FOR MENDES.

Hundred-thirty-four

Today, I'm going out with Dad, on a daddy-daughter date. I'm excited.

You might be wondering what happened after he left, so let me enlighten you. I cried and told Shawn how I felt and what exactly happened. He listened to it all, never interrupting me. He was so happy for me, like genuinely happy.

I called Mom and told her. She had nothing to say but good words. She told me she was proud of me for taking this step.

I called Noah; he was surprised at first but he was proud as well. He knows how big a deal it is to me.

It's been a couple of days since Dad was here. I reached out yesterday, saying I wanted to see him, so today, I'm meeting him.

"How do you feel?" Shawn asks me. I'm in front of the mirror, looking at myself. I look... happy. It's like a weight was making me look tired and now that it's off my chest, I look like myself again.

"Good. Very good. And excited." I smile at him in the mirror. He's standing right behind me, his arms around me.

"I'm so fucking happy for you, sweetheart."

"I know."

My phone buzzes.

"I'm here. Don't rush yourself; take your time. I can wait." He texts me.

"That's Dad. I'm leaving."

Did I forget to mention that Dad is picking me up?

"You look pretty, by the way."

"Thanks, baby." I smile, turn my head around and give him a peck on the lips.

We pull apart.

"Enjoy it, baby. And be as late as you want to be. Don't worry about our son, I'll take care of him, sweetheart."

I nod.

And meet my father in his car. A limousine, actually.

"You look beautiful." Is the first thing I'm told.

"Thanks, Dad."

The chauffeur starts driving in a direction that's familiar.

"Where are we going, Dad?"

"I think you know." He says, looking through the window.

Holy shit. He's taking this date to a whole new level.

"I love you, Dad."

He turns his head around to look at me. He's taken off-guard at first but smiles.

"I love you, too."

Annabelle's pizzeria appears before my eyes. It's been a while since I last came here.

"Nostalgia is hitting me right now."

"Me too."

We step out of the car, and walk inside.

We choose a table; the table we've always sat at.

A waitress comes taking our order.

"Anthony Johnson?"

"Hello there."

Oh, no. I forgot he would be recognized.

I look up at the waitress. Wait a minute...

"Cassie?" I look at her.... Damn.

"Sophia! Oh, my God! I haven't seen you here in years!"

I stand up and pull her to me.