3
Gina’s heart soared as she and Daddy walked carefully together toward the front door. She was more than happy to let him lean on her as he took his wobbly steps next to her sure ones, his breathing in the chill December air wheezy and uneven. Daddy was sick, of that there was no doubt, but he was well enough to come home tonight. That’s all that mattered. Home in time for Christmas. A month ago, when they were riding in the ambulance together, his oxygen saturation dangerously low and his pulse weak and faint, Gina wasn’t sure if he was coming home at all, and the fact that they were making their way up the walk now was a joy beyond all joys for Gina.
Sixteen Christmases Gina and Daddy had spent together. They were both gray now, the age showing in the lines on their faces, but he was still Daddy, and she was still his little girl. Being little was harder now, though, since Daddy had gotten sick. She couldn’t just let go and be little and let Daddy take care of things when he needed her help with so much lately. Not that she didn’t have her own old-age troubles. She was more than a little scared when she started having real accidents, frequently enough to where she no longer trusted herself without at least a pad in her panties. The doctor explained her prolapsed bladder, and offered her some sort of surgery and hormone treatments. Gina had heard stories about women who took estrogen after menopause and wound up with cancer, and she turned him down flat. Diapers had been a part of her life for so long now, the idea that she actually needed them now was somewhat of a welcome, in a way.
Gina opened the front door and locked her arm around Daddy’s waist as he shuffled in next to her. “Look, Daddy! I decorated the tree yesterday, when the doctors said you could come home! Do you like it, Daddy? Did I do good?” She waved toward the tree.
Daddy smiled and cleared his throat. “Yes, babygirl, you did a very good job. It’s a lovely sight to come home to.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Good girl!” He stopped for a moment, and his smile faded.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Gina was unnerved by his change in demeanor as she helped him to his favorite rocker.
“Come here, Princess.” He motioned toward his lap. Gina gingerly sat down between his legs, the hem of her dress riding up behind her, and he wrapped his arms around her, patting her bottom softly. The familiar sound of hollow plastic rang in her ears, and she nuzzled his chest, squirming and rustling contentedly in his embrace. Wearing one of her Princess diapers under her dress to come pick him up was definitely the right choice today, and she was glad she made it. She probably could use a change, but it wasn’t urgent; this was a moment to savor.
“Nothing’s wrong with the tree, baby. Daddy’s just a little sad because we didn’t get a chance to find an ornament this year, that’s all. It’s still a beautiful tree, and Daddy is just happy to be home to enjoy it with his beautiful babygirl in time for Christmas.”
In all that had gone on since Thanksgiving, the thought of an ornament hadn’t even crossed Gina’s mind, not even as she hurriedly decorated the tree last night. “Oh, Daddy, I didn’t even think about an ornament. I’m just so glad I have my Daddy back! I love you!”
“I love you too, princess.” Daddy squeezed her tight, and Gina could feel a slight tremble in his embrace. Clearly Daddy was still weak from all the treatments. He released, then grasped one of her hands. She grabbed on with both of hers, and then she saw it. Her eyes lit up as she touched his wrist.
“Oh, Daddy, we already have the perfect ornament for this Christmas!” Gina jumped up as Daddy’s face turned to surprise. She dashed to the kitchen and rummaged through a drawer and found the ornament hooks, then grabbed a pair of shears on the way back through, grinning ear to ear.
“What are you doing, princess?!” Daddy called out, laughing.
Gina laughed as well as she ran back to his chair and picked up his hand. “Hold still, Daddy!” She snipped the plastic bracelet just short of one of the available holes.
“My hospital bracelet?!” Daddy laughed heartily, then coughed a bit.
“Santa gave me my Daddy home for Christmas! What better way to celebrate it?” She poked the ornament hook through the hole and cinched it tight, then faced the tree.
——
Gina’s eyes grow misty as she hangs the plastic bracelet on the tree, Daddy’s vitals imprinted on the side, just off to the left of the little gold paci. It was indeed a wonderful Christmas, having him back home again just in time to celebrate their sixteenth Christmas together. It’s a comforting memory, and Gina hugs herself just a bit after she stands back from the tree. “The best Christmas with Daddy ever,” she whispers as she admires it and all the other beautiful memories on her tree.
The box is nearly empty now, the ritual nearly complete. Gina’s bottom lip trembles as she reaches back in one more time…