I woke up early the next day and contemplated tapping on the wall again, but thought better of it. At nine on a Saturday morning, most normal people were still asleep. So I took my coffee, bundled myself up in a knitted hat and scarf and went to the tree. I was secretly hoping to bump into Li-Hau again, and I wasn’t disappointed. She was picking flowers this time and she turned and flashed me a big grin. She wasn’t alone this time, though.
“Hi,” I said as I moved to sit on the bench. I turned to the woman that was with her and greeted her, but Li-Hau jumped in.
“This is my nanny Lerato, her name means love.”
“Hi, Lerato,” I said.
“And you’re the Snow White I’ve heard about?” Lerato asked with a smile on her face.
“I believe so.”
“Lerato came to help me cut flowers, my dad says that an adult should always help you with scissors and that you should never run with them.”
Dad of the year strikes again. She was dressed head to toe in pink. A bright pink tracksuit, pink Adidas sneakers and a large pink scarf. She also had her tutu over her pants.
“I like your outfit.”JJ would kill for a tracksuit like that.
“Here,” she said as she stepped forward to give me a white daisy. I felt a tiny lump develop in my throat. This little girl had such an effect on me.
“Thanks, it’s beautiful.”
“My dad says I’m not allowed to cut too many flowers because I must be environmental to the earth.”
And at that, I actually burst out laughing. Who was this man? Did he also rescue stray puppies in his spare time? Feed the homeless, read to the blind?
“Your dad’s right!”
“I know. He’s always right,” she said holding up a mixture of white and yellow daisies in her hand.
“You should come to my birthday party,” she said.
“Oh, that’s very sweet of you. But I could only come if your mom and dad invited me.”
“Okay. I will give you an official invitation then.” She flashed me another grin. “I need to put these in water,” she said again before skipping off. I smiled and looked up at Lerato.
“Bundle of energy!” she said with a smile.
“I can see,”—time for some intelligence gathering—“So are you just visiting?” I asked.
She nodded. “We live in Rosebank.”
“Okay.” I said, slightly disappointed that I wouldn’t be bumping into hot Super-Dad. She was obviously visiting relatives, or family friends.
Lerato got up and followed after Li-Hau.
“See you around,” I said and waved at them as they went.
I sat sipping my coffee and looking at the flowers. Strange, I’d never noticed them before. Kids always have that effect on you. They make you see the world slightly differently. I finished my coffee and went over and picked an orange one.
Of course when I went upstairs I had to regale JJ with the latest pink princess story.
“We need to find out more about this father,” JJ said. “I think I’m in love.”
“Stop it. You’re incorrigible,” Bruce snapped and shot him a look.
I laughed. “I must say I’m curious myself. If I get an invite to her party, I’ll definitely go, even if it’s just to lay eyes on this legend. I wonder what her mom is like? She hardly mentions her.”
“Maybe she’s just a daddy’s girl. Like me,” JJ cooed.
