"You don''t need any more nkets?" "No, I should be good."


    "Okay. Goodnight! I''ll see you in the morning."


    I let go of my breasts and sat down on the couch. I rummaged around for the pillow I had been sitting on earlier and positioned it at one end of the sofa. I stretched out and pulled a nket over me. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I looked around the apartment, taking in all of the unfamiliar shapes that now constituted my home. It was such a strange feeling to know that this was my new life. No morezy Saturday mornings watching cartoons with my father. No more daily hugs. No more dinners or lunches or breakfasts. I had known this day wasing, but with all the fantasies I had harbored, I had never truly believed it.


    Another loud crack of thunder broke the deafening silence of the room, making me shiver under the nket. Soon my stepfather would be gone and it would be just me who would have to face these storms alone. Having him here I felt safe from the rainshing the windows and the wind howling amongst the unfamiliar trees. How was I going to live without him?


    On the next crack of thunder, I broke. Standing up cautiously, I moved across the living room, shuffling my feet to avoid tripping on the various knickknacks scattered about the floor. At the door to the bedroom I paused to listen. My father''s breathing was even; he seemed to be asleep. I stood there for undecided. Then lightning shed again and the weird shadows cast about the apartment returned and I gave in.


    "Daddy?" I whispered.


    moment,


    My father''s breathing remained unchanged. I spoke again, the second time a little louder.


    "Daddy?"


    My father shifted in the dark, and I saw the dim outline of him shift and rise up off the bed.


    “Leah, what is it?" "Daddy, I''m scared." "Of the storm?" "Yeah."


    "Oh, baby. It''s okay. There''s nothing to worry about." "Do you mind if I sleep with you?"


    "Of course not. There''s plenty of room. Here," my father moved aside and patted the bed beside him, "climb on in.”


    I moved across the room and cautiously climbed into bed. I stretched my feet under the sheets and my toes touched my father''s bare calf. I nestled in further, lying down and pulling a nket above my shoulders.


    Thunder boomed again and I


    flinched and scooted closer to my father. His arms were behind his head, and Iid my head gently on his chest. He was not wearing a shirt, my cheek was pressed against his warm skin. I draped a hand over his stomach, squeezing my hand around his waist. I ced my legs against his. It was then I realized he was only wearing boxer briefs.


    "I''m sorry, honey," he said. "I didn''t think you''d be in bed with me. If you want, you can hand me my shirt and pants from the ground and I''ll put them on."


    I squeezed his waist and snuggled my head into his chest.


    "I don''t mind, Daddy," I breathed softly. "I like your warmth. I feel so safe in your arms."


    My father wrapped his arm around me, his fingers caressing my shoulder. I mewled a bit and slid my leg against his.


    "Thank you, Daddy," I whispered.


    "Anytime, sweetheart." From his


    tone, I


    let


    Veld tell he was smiling."


    need


    soak it in while I can.


    you are going to be gone away for good. I''m going to miss you."


    "I''m going to miss you, too. You''ll have toe visit me. You promise?” “I promise. But I''m sure you''re going to forget about your old father soon


    enough."


    "You''re not old."


    "Older than you," heughed.


    "But not old. If anything, you''re perfect." Heughed again and squeezed me tight. "Thanks, love. It''s good to hear that."


    Wey there listening to the sound


    er


    of the rain beat on the roof above us. It was my dreame true. I was n bed with my father, my face against his chest, his arm around me. Absentmindedly, I ran my fingers across his stomach, feeling the tight muscles of his abdomen