He was so frustrated. While he cleaned up the mess, I poured some cereal for the twins and got them off to school.
Then I went to help Daddy clean the mess he'd made. He was trying to clean up the burned frying pan.
"This pan's a goner," he said. "Hey, what are you still doing here? Don't you have school today?"
"No," I said. "School's closed today while the put in the new fire alarms."
Daddy laughed.
"I guess we need a fire alarm here, too," he said. "Now that I'm cooking."
He sighed and scratched his head.
"I'll get the hang of this, Chipmunk," he said. "It's just gonna take me a little while."
"Well, you ain't gotta do it all on your own," I said.
Daddy looked right at me.
"I know," he said.
On impulse I reached out and gave him a big hug. It took him by surprise.
I wanted him to put those big arms around me and pull me in close, like he always did. But instead his arms barely moved!
I didn't understand. What could be the matter?
Worried, I slipped my arms around Daddy more than usual. I gave him the tightest squeeze I could. He smelled so good.
I really didn't want to ever let go of him!
When Daddy broke off the hug abruptly, it felt cold. I even felt a little hurt. He was doing so much for us, why didn't he even want a hug from me?
Could he be feeling a little embarrassed over his pancake failure?
"Daddy, why don't you let me show you how to make the pancakes." I said. "Then next time you want to make them, you'll be ready."
"That sounds fair enough to me," he said.
Soon, I had Daddy mixing up some new batter in a bowl.
"Now don't mix it too much," I said. "A little lumpy ain't bad."
When it looked done, Daddy dipped his finger into the bowl and tasted the batter.
"Don't taste right," he said.
"Well, here, let me taste it," I said.
I dipped my finger into the batter. I poked my finger in my mouth. I sucked on it.
"It tastes fine to me," I said.
"You sure?" Daddy asked.
"Wait," I said. "I wonder if it could just be your finger?"
"Huh?"
