A Year of Chance

Chapter 9

The next morning, Deanna got up from the bed as quietly as possible. She wanted to surprise Bob with breakfast in bed the way he had done the day before. She made her way into the kitchen, she knew she wasn’t always supposed to be in the kitchen, but she also knew that there were always exceptions. The first thing she did was start Bob’s coffee. Coffee was a lifeline for him, and she often joked about it.

Soon she had soft scrambled eggs, extra buttered toast, fresh squeezed orange juice and a couple of toasted waffles from the freezer. While the waffles had toasted, she started making a mixture of chocolate cake to bake while she and Bob ate. The oven quickly heated up and she popped the cake in it.

After dressing up the tray, Deanna quietly put Bob’s plate of food on the tray, then she added her own plate and two glasses of orange juice. She filled his 32 oz. cup with coffee, some cream and Splenda. She carefully picked up the tray and the coffee cup and made her way from the kitchen to the bedroom. Bob was sound asleep, snoring softly. “Daddy… oh Daddy… I’ve got your coffee…” she said just above a whisper, trying to wake him gently. She set the coffee on the nightstand next to him. Then she gently shook his shoulder. “Daddy, time to get up…” Bob opened an eye, glanced at her then quickly closed it again. “I saw that Daddy. I’ve got your coffee and breakfast… won’t you wake up please?” She said a little louder.

He turned over and stretched. “Good morning Babygirl. What have you got there?” Then he smelled the Columbian Coffee, and licked his lips. “Oh, what a good little girl you are.” He said, which elicited a large smile on her face. As he looked around and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he noticed the tray and the smell of fresh eggs. He smiled at his babygirl and sat up in bed.

Deanna placed the tray over Bob’s lap and moved to sit next to him on the other side of the bed. While they ate, they discussed the day ahead. Deanna talked to him about how to let her boss know about the cancer and to see about taking some time off. Bob informed her that he would be working in his workshop in the backyard so he wouldn’t be able to hear the home phone. She said she’d call his cell so he’d know what was going on.

Deanna finished her plate of food and stood up. Bob picked up his tablet and started reading the newspaper online while Deanna collected the tray and set it on top of the dresser near the door. Going over to the closet, Deanna looked in. She wanted to wear something happy. She decided on a Christmas sweater and a light green pleated skirt. Bob watched her over his tablet and almost spoke a couple of times. Normally she wasn’t supposed to wear festive clothes. It wasn’t politically correct. But under these circumstances, he decided to let it slide.

While Deanna went into the bathroom to shower, Bob got up and went to the dresser. He pulled out a pair of silk panties with a jingle bell pattern printed on it. Then he opened another drawer and found the matching bra. He lay the under garments on the bed next to her chosen outfit.