Page 133 of Daddy's Pride

“Not feeling so shiny, Daddy.”

He came over and hugged me. “Well, if I tell you our first of three stops on our vacation would that make you smile?”

“Maybe.” I wanted to be happy for Daddy, but it was hard and my heart hurt.

“What’s your favorite thing in the whole wide world?”

Blink. Blink. Did he not know the answer? “You, Daddy.”

“Thank you.” Daddy kissed me. “But next to Daddy.”

“Sloffers, and Kiki, and George, and Patty,” I rattled off the usual suspects.

“And what are they?”

“My best friends.”

This time, Daddy laughed, and I finally smiled. “Silly boy, I know that but what are they?”

“Animals?”

“Bingo!”

“We’re going somewhere with animals. Lots and lots of animals?” I didn’t want to get too excited if it was only one or two, though I’d still love it, but more was sooo much better.

“Yup.”

I squealed so loud Daddy plugged his ears. “Careful, sweet boy, Daddy needs his hearing.”

“Sorry, Daddy, but where are there lots of animals?”

“Ever heard of a place called the San Diego Zoo?”

This time I screamed so loud I should probably let the neighbors know I was okay before they called the cops.

“Why don’t you put your swimsuit on, and we can go outside and talk about our trip while we swim.”

“Okay, yes.” I stripped as I ran down the hallway. Daddy picked up my clothes like always, but I couldn’t help it. I was too excited. My first vacation ever and I got to spend it with animals!

And Daddy, too, of course.

Daddy pushed me around on my ice cream floaty and told me all the great things he’d planned for our trip. “I figured we’d spend the first four days in San Diego. A day at the zoo then relax the next day at the beach which is right outside our hotel room. What do you think?”

“I get to see the beach, too. Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” Was it possible to pass out from being too excited? Good thing Daddy was there to catch me.

“Ha-ha yes, actually two beaches. Then our next stop is…” Daddy paused too long.

“Dadddyyyyyyy!”

“SeaWorld!”

I screamed again. “Daddy!”

“You are one excitable boy. At SeaWorld I booked us the Sloth Up-Close Encounter activity.”

I was laughing and crying at the same time, which I didn’t know was possible until now. “Can I get a new friend for Sloffers while we’re there?”

“Absolutely, which is why I didn’t want you to bring too much with you. Now, do you want to know our last stop?” Daddy spun the raft around and stopped it so I faced him again.