Here is the second part of last Tuesday’s story. To read it first, click here.

Saturday was busy setting up their booth and peddling their crafts to customers. Mama took one batch of brownies to the judges and sold the other. If she one the bake off, she’d win $500! Sissy hoped and prayed the judges would love them as much as she did. She had sold 5 of her doll dresses by noon, and just as she was getting ready to snag a snack for lunch, she looked up and saw her daddy. He was heading straight for her booth! She could hardly contain her excitement, but waited until he got to her table. 

“Hey Sissy!”

“Hi Daddy. How’ve you been? I’ve been thinking a lot about you and why you left us. Just look at how well we’ve done in the booth today!”

“Well kitten, you have been busy! I hope your school work hasn’t suffered. Congratulations on your sales! Listen, why don’t you eat your lunch while I go and find your Mama. I promise we’ll talk about things. Just remember, I love you.”

“Ok, Daddy. Can I have a hug before you go?”

“Of course, Sweetie. Come here.”

Sissy rounded the booth for a hug, and snuck him a brownie to go. 

“It’s on the house,” she replied.

Daddy picked her up and bear hugged her like he used to when she was little. Sissy went back to the booth to eat her snack and get back to work. He sure hoped Mama could be forgiving.

Eddy Clark made his way through the fair, finding Nancy at the judge’s table entering her brownies. He waited for her to finish, then walked up and tapped her on the shoulder. Looking up, her smile faded and she turned away from him. “What are you doing here, Ed?” 

“Er, Sissy invited me. Didn’t she tell you?”

“Sure, she told me, but I didn’t figure you’d show up.”

“Why not? You kicked me out, remember?”

“Of course I do, but you were gambling and carousing around, what was I supposed to do? Take it like a doormat? I don’t think so.”

Ed thought about all she said a he walked with her back to their booth. 

“I’m truly sorry you and Sissy have had a hard time with me gone. Please, give me another chance. I’ll stop gambling and I only have eyes for you, Nancy. My so-called carousing is just rumors and speculation.” 

“Oh really, Ed. What about work? Been doing any of that lately? No need coming back if you’re going to be a deadbeat.”

“My job is going well! I’m even getting a company truck soon! The city has great benefits like medical and dental as well! I Can put y’all on the family plan and we can be together. It will work this time, Nancy, please. Why don’t I take you both to dinner? Then we can talk and plan more. You and Sissy shouldn’t be working so hard to make ends meet.

“If I let you come home, and you stray or gamble anything more than a $1 scratch off card, I’ll be done with you, do you get what I’m saying, mister??”

“Not only will I keep that promise, I’ll get you caught up on the bills and we will start having date night once a week, and maybe we can start having family game nights.”

Nancy looked up at him with hopeful eyes, she still loved him. Trusting was another matter. 

“I’ll try it for a month. I miss you and so does Sissy, but I’ll not be disrespected or walked on anymore.” 

He kissed her and thanked her. They arrived at the booth and told Sissy the plan.

“Oh Daddy! I’m so happy! Mama?”

“We’ll give him another chance, honey.”

“That’s great news! I won’t have to keep my secret anymore I can tell my friends at school that we are a family again.”

Ed looked straight at his daughter and said in his reassuring voice, “I won’t disappoint you two again. Let’s go home.” 

Nancy said, “We have to finish the fair, silly. Why don’t you go pack your things and come on home.”  Ed did just that.