Grumpy Daddy

Carley sat at her desk drawing a picture for her daddy.  He would be home soon

and she was Excited to see him.  She loved her daddy so much.  Her mom was in the kitchen cooking dinner.

“How soon will daddy be home?” she asked.

“In about 15 minutes.  Why do you ask?”

 “I made him a pretty picture, see!”   Carley held up the picture for her mom to see.

Her mom smiled.   “That’s beautiful, honey.  He should love that very much.

Now, go wash your hands so you’ll be ready for dinner.”

When Carley was finished washing her hands, she heard the front door open. 

She ran out to the living room to welcome her daddy. 

“Daddy, daddy, look what I drew for you.”

“Not now, honey.” He said as he bent down and kissed her on the top of her

head.  He then went into the kitchen to give her mom a quick kiss on the cheek. 

“Welcome home, honey” she said.

He didn’t answer her.  Instead he went into his office to his big green chair and sat down. He kicked his shoes off and leaned back with his feet up. 

Carley followed him into his office with her picture in hand.

“Daddy, daddy, see what I made for you.”

Her daddy looked angry.  “I told you, not now!”

This surprised Carley and she ran into the kitchen with tears in her eyes.

“Mommy, daddy is being grumpy and he won’t look at my picture.  Why is he mad at .me?” she asked.

“Oh, honey.”  Carley’s mom squatted down to the floor and gave her a big hug.  “You didn’t do anything wrong sweetheart.”

“Then why did daddy yell at me?”

“Sometimes when people get angry, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.  Daddy had a very bad day at the office today, plus he has a terrible headache.” Mom explained.  “Just let him rest for a few minutes before dinner and he should be better by then” 

“Are you sure?” Carley asked.

“I’ sure he will” she reassured Carley.  “Why don’t you go to your room and play with Barbie.  I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”  

It was almost 30 minutes before mom called Carley for dinner.  When she got to the dinner table she was surprised to see her daddy helping set the table. 

“Come here pumpkin” he said.  Carley ran to him and they gave each other a big hug. 

“Does your head feel better, daddy?”

“Yes pumpkin, it does. And I’m so sorry for snapping at you earlier.”  He squeezed her tight.

“Wait here.” Carley said breaking away from the hug.    She came back in no time and held the picture she drew.

“I drew this picture for you Daddy, look”

Her day took the drawing from her and looked at it.  He saw a wonderful picture of him and Carley fishing at the lake on a wonderful summer day. 

“Do you like it?” she asked impatiently. 

“I love it!” Daddy said. “Thank you so much.” 

“And thank you for not being Grumpy Daddy any more!”  Carley giggled.