“Look Daddy, a handprint turkey.” I made blue ones, and lellow ones and white ones. I’d have made other colors too but those were the only three we had.
“Yes, you did, though it appears you have more paint on you than the paper.” Daddy sighed and stared at the mess I’d made.
“Are, are you mad at me, Daddy?” Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t… Phooey.
“Sweet boy, please don’t cry,” Daddy hugged me even though I was covered in paint. He didn’t care about that. Daddy loved me. “I’m not mad. Honestly, I’m trying to figure out how to save your pretty pictures. It’s oversized and I don’t want it to get ruined. Please, sweetheart, don’t cry.”
“I’m,”sniff,“sorry.”
“Shh,” Daddy’s arms felt so good. “Let’s get the lids on the paint and let your mural dry. Daddy will figure out where we can hang it up later.”
“Wha-what? Hang it up?”
“Daddy keeps all your art, my love, and this picture is no different. You were a good boy and kept yourself busy and didn’t get into trouble while Daddy finished the room. I think you deserve a treat for that, don’t you?”
“M-maybe.” Did I? I was so confused right now.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up then we’ll have treat time.” Daddy banged the lids on the cans then took my hand and led me into the bathroom. “Let’s get you washed and paint free.”
Daddy started the water and stripped us both down then we got in. The warm water felt so good but Daddy washing me was the best. He scrubbied my hair until I was all mushy.
“Bunny, how did you get paint in your ears?” Daddy wiped it out with the rag.
“I dunno. My ear itched and I scratched it, so I guess it was then. Sorry, Daddy.”
“Baby, you need to quit apologizing so much. Things happen, but all that matters to Daddy is that you’re safe and happy. Paint in your ear, spilling a drink, none of those mean anything. Just adds another layer to what makes you my sweet Bunny and I love every messy inch of you.”
It took a lot of scrubbing to get all the paint to go away, but Daddy didn’t complain. Actually, he seemed to have fun and whispered sweet words about how helpful I was today the whole time.
If I was his good boy, then why did I feel so sad?
“Bunny, don’t be sad. You’re Daddy’s good boy, daddy’s happy boy and Daddy has just the thing to cheer you up. I don’t know who made you feel like you were bad, but they’re gone and if Daddy ever runs into them, he’ll give them a piece of his mind. Nobody makes my Bunny feel bad.”
Daddy was so silly, but he had a way of making the sads go away. No more mean people in my life ever, Daddy would make sure of that.
“Wait here, Bunny.” Daddy put my pj’s on me then went into the closet and came back with a big bag. “Daddy has a special gift for you.”
“Ooohhh,” I was so excited. “What is it?”
“I’m not ruining the surprise, open it and see.”
I pulled out a big, white, fuzzy… “It’s a bunny robe, Daddy and bunny slippers. Put it on me!”
“What’s the magic word?”
I hugged and kissed him. “Please and thank you, Daddy.” He got me all bundled up. “I’m a bunny, Daddy. Hop, hop, hop.” I had slippers and pj’s and a fuzzy robe. And my onesie Jobe made me too.
“Silly Bunny, let’s get you some cookies and milk before bed.” Cookies were good, and all, but I was more interested in what else Daddy had hidden in the closet. “Little one, what are you getting into?”
“Do you have other prezzies hiding in there, Daddy?”
“Well, if I do, I’ll be moving them soon. Is my good boy being naughty?”
That hit me hard. I didn’t mean to be naughty, but he was right, I was being bad. I shut the door and turned around. “No Daddy, and I’m sorry for that. I just get excited is all. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Thank you.”
With nothing else said, no sweet words or don’t apologize, I felt properly reprimanded. Thankfully, it came without pain, unlike it had when I was growing up.
