If I had lunch with my "Fantasy Daddy," oh my, what a different lunch it be…
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As soon as Daddy arrives, we give each other a big, loving hug. Tears well up in his eyes as he says, "Oh Michelle, my sweet daughter! How I’ve missed you! You look so youthful! And skinny too!!" (All right, all right—give me a break, it is my fantasy, you know.)
I ask him how his health is doing. He informs me that his cancer and leukemia have been completely healed. We bow our heads and say a tearful prayer of thanksgiving to God.
He then says, "So Princess, tell me about what’s going on in your life. I want to know everything."
His cell phone rings. Immediately, he turns it off. "I don’t want to be interrupted. You’re so much more important than business," he cheerfully says.
I show Daddy my birth certificate and tell him how much I want his family name and want him to be legally listed as my father. "Absolutely," he says. "You should have my name and I should be legally acknowledged as your father. I’m very proud and honored to be your father and I want the world to know it. I’ll call the attorney next week."
I tell him that I contacted all four of my siblings. He looks relieved and says, "Of course you should have a relationship with your brothers and sisters. I should have made this happen years ago. I’m so sorry Princess. As soon as I get back to Florida, I’ll talk to each of them and tell them how wonderful you are, what a special sister they have, and how you will be a part of the family from here on."
"I've cried about all of this every day, " I say.
Dad replies, "I've cried about it every day too, Honey. But now I'm going to make things right, so there will only be tears of happiness."
He hands me a birthday card. When I open it, a slip of paper falls out. It reads: THIS COUPON ENTITLES MICHELLE TO A FAMILY—COMPLETE WITH A FATHER, A STEPMOTHER, TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS, A GRANDMOTHER, AND AN UNCLE.
"Oh thank you so much Daddy!! It’s just what I always wanted!!" I joyfully say.
Then he adds, "We have a guest house on our property and I’d like you to move in. That way, you can be near your family and I can see to it that you get the best medical care. I love you so much, Princess and I don’t want you to continue to be so far away from me."
Oh Daddy, Daddy!" I exclaim. "Of course I’ll move to be near all of you!"
He then gives my friend $200 for driving me. "Thank you for getting my little Princess here safely. She means the world to me, you know," he adds.
Daddy tells my friend, "I remember when Michelle was born. It was the happiest day of my life. I was so proud. What a gift she’s been in my life."
We have a long, leisurely lunch. "Eat more Princess, you need to gain a few pounds!" Daddy urges. (All right already—in my fantasies people can never tell me too much that I’m skinny!)
As we finish, Daddy says, "Princess, now you must come with me and visit your grandmother down the road. She misses you so much and has been asking about you. She’ll be so happy to see you! And your Uncle Gerry will be there. He misses you too."
"Oh yes, Daddy. I’d love to see Grandma and Uncle Gerry!" I respond.
We then share another warm hug.
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Ah, yes, if I can dream… if I can dream…