"Daddy, you got a text message!" My daughter shouted as I zipped the zipper on my denim jeans.
I pumped a glob of soap into my hands and caressed them under the warm water. "Who's it from?"
"Boo..." She read out loud. "Who's Boo?"
"Crystal." I wiped the access water on my shirt and grabbed my phone from her hands.
"Didn't you guys break up?"
"Yes, why?"
"Because she still has a nickname in your phone.. that's odd."
"Why is it odd?"
"You guys aren't together anymore."
"So?"
"You miss her, Daddy."
"No I don't... Why are we talking about this?"
"Because I brought it up into conversation."
"Let's drop it."
"Right here?"
"Right now."
"Fine." She said sitting on my lap. "What'd she say?"
"Nothing.."
"So her name just appeared on the screen but nothing was there?"
"Exactly."
"Daddy!" She whined.
"What?" I smiled. "It's nothing for you to be worried about."
"Why not?"
"Because the text was for me."
"But I saw it pop up!"
"And?"
"And.. I think I deserve to know what she sent you."
"Nah." I shook my head and held her waist as she huffed and crossed her arms.
"I thought we were supposed to tell each other everything!"
"We are Joi, but some things aren't meant to be talked about with you."
"Did she say something bad?"
"N-"
"Because you know I got your follow up if she did."
"Oh I know that.. it's nothing bad, I promise.. But it's between her and I. Can you please respect that, babe?"
She shifted her mouth to the side as if she were thinking and looked around for a few seconds. "I guess I can.. under one condition."
"Okay.."
"You have to let me know if she gets out of line with you!"
"What happens if she does?"
"You Sir, don't worry about that.. I'll handle it."
I nodded my head. "You got it, kid.. Where's BB?"
"I think she's still upstairs in your room."
"Y'all do know that my bedroom is not y'all's."
"Yes Daddy, we're well aware of that."
"Then spend some time in your own room and less in mine!"
"But your bed is so comfortable!" She pinched my cheeks. "Like a big ole brown teddy brown!"
"Are you comparing it to a stuffed animal?"
"They're cute!"
"You're cute."
