Where's Daddy?: Part III

(Story begins here.)

The going was hard in the beginning, but Tiffany and her husband managed to pull through. Tiffany soon settled into the routine well enough. Tricia was also very cooperative, which meant a lot in a time where the finances were becoming an issue compared to before. Waking up early in the morning has always been second nature to Tiffany from her days of being a manager, but instead of going to the office, she spent time looking after Tricia's morning needs like breakfast and watching some educational programmes together. This was followed by lunch preparation and an early afternoon siesta, where she would take the time that was given to do some household chores like the laundry. Afteroon and evening would come by as she played with Tricia and read with her, followed by dinner, before packing Tricia off to bed. Then, she did more housework and retired for the night.

At first, her husband was supportive. He would come back just after Tricia was done with her day and was going to bed, and on occasion, he would bring back something along the way home from work for Tiffany to eat. Tiffany looked forward to those moments; his work as a lawyer was hectic and at times erratic, and she knew that any time that he could spare was to be treasured. But it seemed that he would always make the attempt to come home before Tiffany went to bed, perhaps as a way of telling her that he understood the sacrifices that she was making and that he loved her all the same.

Then came one day when he came in at around nine in the evening and motioned Tiffany to approach him. Confused, she put down the piece of clothing that she was folding and came up to him in the living room as he was putting his work shoes aside.

``Tiffany, there's a new big case coming up,'' he began.

``Oh! Sort of like that one a couple of years back?'' Tiffany replied.

``Yes. Something like that. Quite hush-hush, so I can't really tell you more,'' he continued. ``But the main thing is that I will be stuck in the office for the most part for a while. Evidence documents run by the cartons and we are already short-staffed.''

``Oh. I understand,'' Tiffany had said as she took the couch facing her husband, who had already sat down. ``For how long will you be keeping the long hours?''

``Damnit Tiffany, I don't know! The case is big and complicated---no one can tell how long it's going to last!'' he said, raising his voice and slamming a fist on the arm rest of the couch.

``Not so loud!'' Tiffany shushed fiercely. ``Tricia is asleep!''

``Yeah okay whatever,'' he said, sounding annoyed and somewhat exasperated. ``Don't wait up for me any more. It should take a long while. Big and complicated case after all. I'll let you know when things have settled down.''

(Story continues here.)