It lands on one of the points on the first try and I’ve already won my monkey!
“Yay, Daddy!” I cheer.
He wins the next two tosses as well and ends up choosing the bear after all as a gift for his niece. We play a few more games and win a few more prizes so I end up leaving with the monkey and he leaves with the bear, a smaller teddy bear, an elephant, and a butterfly. I ask if he’s giving them all to his niece and he chuckles and says, “No, I’ll talk to the other Daddies and see if their littles want anything.”
“Aww, you’re so nice, Daddy.” I stand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek.
After the games, we ride the rides. I hold my hands up and squeal as the ride lurches in loops and circles. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time! I feel like a little girl again!
I wonder if this is what people mean by little space? This strong feeling of closeness and safety and affection you feel around your Daddy?
Whatever you call it, I feel very close, very safe, and very affectionate when we leave the carnival and head home to his place. On the way, I pepper Daddy with questions about the rides he liked most and whether he thought his giant sausage was better than my giant corn dog.
When we reach his place, the sun is long set and the night is dark. I smile and kiss him on the cheek, then follow him inside, holding his hand.