Page 22 of Daddy’s Little Secret

“Excalibur.” We drove past them on the freeway and all the way to the other end where our hotel was.

“Whoa, these hotels are ginormous.”

“Yes, they are. And it’s my understanding that once we get to the main area of the strip, most of them are connected by moving walkways. Bet that’s nice in the heat of summer since they get up to Phoenix temps here.”

We grabbed our luggage and headed inside. “Wow, that is a lot of sounds.”

“Yes. Machines going off, voices, rides, games. Definitely not the place to be for quiet reflection.” Daddy laughed. “Let’s head to the check-in desk so we can check out our room and drop off our bags.”

Check-in went pretty fast, given the line we had to wait in. There was so much going on around us that my head was spinning. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to eat or hit the arcade. Go down the strip and see everything or just stay here. My brain was on overload.

I followed Daddy into the elevator and saw him press the button for the twenty-seventh floor. “You alright, Angel?” I nodded, not totally sure, and left it at that. We’d see the minute we got into our room. Down the long hall we went, like a scene out of a scary movie. “Here we are.”

“EEEP!” I squealed and froze just inside the room. The curtains were wide open with a massive view of… everything. “So high.” The room got all spinny, and Daddy helped me sit against the wall then ran over and closed the curtains.

“Angel?” Daddy had his worried face on. “Let me get a cool rag for your head.” I concentrated on taking even breaths until he got back. “Here, now lean forward and put your head between your knees. That’ll hold the rag in place.”

“I feel so stupid.”

“Don’t say that. Acrophobia is real and can be debilitating. Let’s focus on getting your breathing under control. Breathe with me, Angel. Deep breath in, hold it for three seconds, and out. Good boy, now again.” We did that for a few minutes while Daddy sat with his arm around me. “Sweetheart, I’m gonna call the office and ask them to move us to another room.”

“Thank you.” I hated this. I wanted to look out at the strip at night, all lit up and take amazing pictures to share with everyone. Stupid phobias.

“They’re sending a valet up to help us and a wheelchair for you.” I opened my mouth to protest but Daddy wasn’t having it. “Don’t even think about it. You’re riding down in a wheelchair. Then I’ll get you situated and run and get us food. We’ll eat in our room and try to go out later.”

“I’m ruining our vacation.”

“No, you’re not. We are both learning a lot today. Your health and well-being come first for me, Angel. That is a non-negotiable.”

“Yes, Daddy.” The men came in a few minutes later and loaded me and our luggage up. The foolish feeling I harbored amped up like ten million as I rode down the hall like an invalid.

After the men unloaded us, Daddy tipped them and locked the door when they left. “The second floor was the best they could do. I figured it would be okay since that’s the same as being upstairs at Uncle Chuck’s.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I’m so sorry.” I burst into tears. Crying wasn’t something I did in front of others.

“Oh, baby.” Daddy hugged me. “Let’s lie down for a bit then Daddy will get lunch.”

“Daddy milkies?”

“Yes, I know that always helps you.” He took off his shirt and binder, laid down, and pulled me close to him. Between the warmth of the milk and the familiar, soothing sucking motion, my heartrate normalized and my head stopped throbbing. Hopefully a nap would get me back on track so we could finally enjoy our vacation.

“Daddy?” I heard the door open, and he wasn’t in bed beside me. “Is that you?”

“It is, Angel. I got lunch. How do you feel?”

Great question. “Um, I think okay. I’m so sorry for all this mess.”

“No more apologies.” He sat the food on the table and came and kissed my head. “You come first. I’ve told you that before, and I meant it. If something doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work for me. I’m just glad we figured this out before you agreed to do something rash like a roller coaster ride or bungee jumping.”

The thought alone nearly made me vomit.

“I can promise I won’t do any of that.”

“Good boy. Come on, let’s eat. Daddy got you a cheeseburger, fries, and a ginger ale to help your tummy.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” Sometimes you didn’t realize how hungry you were until that first bite hit your tongue. I probably ate faster than I should’ve, but I was starving. “Can we go exploring?”

“Depends on how you feel?”