It started as a simple afternoon phone call. A little girl picked up the ringing phone and heard a familiar voice say, “Hi, honey, it’s Daddy. Is Mommy there?” She giggled and replied, “No, Daddy. She’s upstairs with Uncle Paul.” There was a long pause on the other end before the father gently said, “But sweetheart, you don’t have an Uncle Paul.” Still cheerful, she insisted, “Oh yes, I do! He’s with Mommy right now.”
The father stayed calm, though his heart began to race. “Okay, sweetheart,” he said softly, “Can you do Daddy a favor? Put the phone down, go upstairs, knock on Mommy’s door, and tell her Daddy’s car just pulled into the driveway.” The little girl agreed and set the phone aside. A few quiet minutes passed before she returned to the line. “I did it, Daddy,” she said brightly.
