The Big Bad Wolf

Jasmine spun around in her princess dress, her father joining her in song. They were belting out the theme tune to her favorite Disney show in the middle of the living room.

He was decked out in a king’s robe and a crown she’d crafted for him a few weeks back. He bowed to her with a flourish, then took her hand, guiding her to her throne-like chair to watch the latest episode of Sofia the First.

Halfway through the show, he decided to whip up her breakfast and get her ready for school.

He knew his daughter well enough to predict she’d want to head to school in her princess dress. Luckily, he’d picked up some alternatives on his shopping trip the day before.

“Thanks, Daddy,” she mumbled, her mouth full of bacon and crown-shaped pancakes, her eyes glued to the purple kiddie table where he’d placed her breakfast.

“You’re welcome, Princess,” he replied, doing his best Baileywick impression. “The carriage will be ready soon. I’ll go fetch your things.”

Jasmine giggled at her father’s antics and dove back into her breakfast.

Jacob dashed upstairs to change into his work clothes, making sure to brush off any stray glitter from the crown. Then he headed to the large Disney princess-themed room to gather her stuff.

He returned downstairs just as the show was wrapping up, and she was tidying up her table. She dashed back into the room and stood before him.

She’d been buzzing with excitement since the night before when he’d mentioned he had a surprise for her.

“Are you ready?” he asked, his smile mirroring his daughter’s.

She nodded eagerly, her light-blue eyes sparkling, her long, black curls bouncing.

“Eyes closed,” he instructed, tapping her nose gently.

She obeyed, bouncing on her toes in anticipation. He laid the items on his lap and told her to open her eyes.

Jasmine let out a squeal of delight at the sight of the Sofia the First T-shirt emblazoned with the words Princess at Heart and the matching pink-and-purple tutu.

He’d also included thin white tights and a new pair of—no surprises here—purple Sofia light-up shoes. She quickly changed into them with a little help from her dad.

For a six-year-old, she was remarkably independent and courageous, traits that filled Jacob with pride.

He encouraged her to express her own style and to speak her mind, while also being considerate of others’ feelings. He never put a cap on her learning.

As she smoothed out her tutu, she thanked her father over and over, her smile melting his heart every time.

He took her small hands and kissed them. “Anything for my little girl,” he said, gazing at the little girl who’d stolen his heart six years ago when he first held her.

His heart had first belonged to her mother, from their teenage years, but he knew without a doubt that Jasmine was now its rightful owner.

Her light-brown skin was a beautiful blend of her white father and Spanish American mother. To him, she was beautiful inside and out, and he knew others saw her the same way.

While her delicate nose, mouth, and hair were all her mother’s, her blue eyes were his. Every day, he marveled at the beautiful result of their love.

“Can you braid my hair, Daddy?” she asked, pulling up a chair to sit in front of him.

Without a word, he picked up the brush and comb, quickly weaving her hair into one of the five styles he’d mastered.

As a single father to a little girl, he’d had to learn how to do things on his own—and quickly.

Jacob relied on no one but himself when it came to Jasmine; he’d learned that lesson the hard way six years ago and had vowed to meet all his daughter’s needs himself.

“All done,” he announced, helping her to her feet and handing her the personalized Sofia hoodie her godfather had gifted her.

She ran her fingers over the six cornrows at the front of her head and the braided ponytail at the back. “Do I look pretty?” she asked as he rose to put on his suit jacket.

“Nope,” he replied casually, reaching for his car keys and messenger bag.

She paused in the middle of picking up her backpack and lunch bag, frowning at him.

He grinned. “Beautiful. You should have asked, ‘Do I look beautiful?’” he corrected, planting a kiss on her head.

Her radiant smile returned instantly.

Walking her to her class was a nerve-wracking experience. It was her first day of first grade; she was growing up too fast in his eyes. The tight grip on his hand told him she was just as nervous.

“It’s all right,” he reassured her—and himself—as they stood in the hallway, peering into the classroom. Mrs. Johnson’s Class, the sign above the door read.

Moms strolled past them, giving him a once-over, then smiling at Jasmine before shooting him approving glances.

Jacob kept his expression neutral. While they were attractive in their own right, he wasn’t interested.

Dressed in a steel-gray business suit and a dark trench coat, he looked every bit the successful and attractive father, his blond hair, striking blue eyes, and neatly trimmed beard adding to the image.

He kept himself fit and well-groomed for his own sake, not to attract any new women. He couldn’t do that to his daughter yet.

Together, they stepped into the chaotic world of first grade. Kids were running around the room while mothers huddled in a corner, chatting amongst themselves.

The teacher, he assumed, was checking on the children who were already seated at tables, engrossed in their art projects.

The middle-aged woman stood up again and locked eyes with him; with a warm smile and bright eyes, she approached them.

Jasmine stood her ground but stayed close to her father. Holding her head high, she greeted the woman.

“Good morning to you, sweetie. And what is your name?” the teacher asked.

“Jasmine Anahi Kaiser,” his daughter replied proudly.

“My, what a beautiful name. What does Anahi mean?” the teacher asked, crouching to Jasmine’s level.

“My daddy says it means beautiful, just like me and my mommy.”

Mrs. Johnson glanced up at Jacob, who was completely focused on his brave little girl. “Well, I guess your daddy is right.”

“Daddy is always right,” Jasmine responded.

Jacob chuckled and playfully tugged on her braids.

“Well, I am sure he is. Welcome to first grade. Are you ready to make new friends?” the teacher asked, standing up.

The little girl with bright blue eyes scanned the room, taking a deep breath before releasing her father’s hand. His heart gave a painful thud as she took her first step away from him, then another.

She paused, her attention caught by a little boy playing alone with his Jake and the Never Land Pirates toys. She seemed ready to approach him, but then she spun around and returned to her father.

Jacob crouched down to her level. “Bye, Daddy,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

He gently stroked her cheek with his thumb, managing a shaky smile. “Bye, Princess Jasmine,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her cheek, which she returned.

Straightening up, he joined her teacher as she ventured off to make a new friend.

“Jasmine has a peanut allergy and mild asthma. There’s a MediPack in her bag with an EpiPen and inhaler for emergencies.

“Here are my contact numbers, as well as her godfather’s and godmother’s. Her doctor’s information is also included,” he said, handing over four laminated index cards with a nervous hand.

“Mr. Kaiser. Take a deep breath. She’ll be fine,” the teacher reassured him.

He did as she suggested, his gaze drifting back to his little princess.

The boy was shyly showing her his toy, and she was introducing him to her Sofia and Clover toys.

Feeling eyes on him, he turned to find a group of women in the corner. Their looks told him all he needed to know about the effect he had on them. He gave a small nod before turning his attention back to Mrs. Johnson.

“Don’t mind them. They’re just soccer moms enjoying the view.”

The older woman’s words brought a faint blush to his cheeks, and he let out a nervous laugh.

“Um. Either her godmother or I will pick her up. I work in the city. If she needs anything for school, please let me know,” he said, shaking her hand.

“Understood, Mr. Kaiser,” she replied. The teacher left to attend to the other students, and he took one last look at Jasmine.

She looked up and locked eyes with her father.

“I love you, Daddy,” she signed.

“I love you too, Princess,” he signed back.

Not everyone knew about his disability, but he never let it stop him from living a normal life. Being deaf was a minor detail to him.

Jasmine’s mother had never had an issue with it, and neither had his best friend.

With a wave, he left for work, leaving his little girl to start her first day of being a big kid.

He adjusted his hearing aid as he entered his office building, greeting the security guard and the receptionist in the lobby before heading up to his floor. Welcome to the exciting world of accounting.

The company he worked for specialized in managing people’s money, helping them save and invest wisely.

He was a junior partner, and he was proud to have a spacious corner office on the thirty-ninth floor. His coworkers and boss didn’t make a big deal out of his deafness.

Some of his coworkers had even taken the time to learn American Sign Language, while others spoke clearly so he could read their lips.

“Good morning, Therese,” he greeted his secretary.

The older woman looked up from her computer and gave him a warm smile. “So…how did it go?” she asked.

“I miss her already,” he admitted, his face falling.

Therese laughed, shaking her head at the man whose world revolved around his daughter. “Miss Jasmine will be just fine. She’s as brave as her father,” she said, handing him a few files.

Accepting them, he gave the woman who was like a second mother to him a kiss on the cheek before retreating to his office.

He turned off his hearing aid and worked in silence on his high-priority clients’ accounts. A few hours later, his iPad vibrated.

It was a message from Therese, informing him of a few meetings scheduled for the day.

As he read through the list, something was waved in front of his face. Startled, he dropped the iPad, luckily onto a folder. Looking up, he found his best friend grinning at him.

“Busy at work?” he signed.

William had been his friend since they were four, his first friend. He hadn’t cared that Jacob was deaf; when other kids had teased him, William had always been there to defend him.

Jacob turned his hearing device back on and spoke to his friend. “Money never sleeps. How are you?” he asked.

William sat down and looked around Jacob’s office, then picked up a picture of himself with his goddaughter.

“I came for two things. How was Jaz’s first day? Did she cry? Did you cry?” he asked, a teasing grin on his face.

“No, we didn’t. She’s my kid; we don’t cry. I think she made a new friend,” Jacob answered, a proud smile on his face.

“Nice. I brought her a gift for being the brave girl I know she is. It’s already in your car.”

“A new princess toy?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Psh… What? Nooooo. It’s not technically a toy…,” William answered, stumbling over his words.

His best friend was a big contributor to his daughter’s princess obsession; Jacob bought her clothes, and William supplied the toys and other Disney princess-themed items.

“Right. Now the second thing?”

“You, my friend, have a date tonight.”