Date: Mon, 9 May 1994 00:20:00 -0400 Why Daddy? by Neil Belsky Don Schanke pushed his way off the Pape Avenue trolleybus, managing to avoid the stagnant puddle in the street by mere millimeters. Days like this he really, really, really started seeing the Schanke's as a two car family. Problem was Myra only needed the car when she was doing 'Skin Pret ty' business....still she was doing so much 'Skin Pretty' business lately. He turned off Pape unto his street and gazed thoughtfully at the row houses that lined both sides of the road. Two cars would eliminate any semblance of yard they had, so Don grumbled under his breath as he made his way home. Home was a painted brick rowhouse with a faded 'For Sale' sign swinging in the May sunshine. He and Myra had bought the house when he was still a beat cop. There were only the two of them then, but with Jenny growing up and the wish for at least one more Schanke the row house seemed to shrink daily. "Hi Myra, I'm home." he called, shed briefcase, coat and shoulder holster as he made his way to the kitchen. "what's cooking?" "Donnie," Myra blew him a kiss as she stirred a pot on the stove. "You're home at a reasonable time tonight." "Yeah," he mumbled as he dove into the fridge for a beer."Nick was in early. You know, ya gotta feel sorry for the guy. He looks like a fugitive from a science fiction movie when he comes in during the days. Gloves, goggles, scarf, he'd be better off in one of those Muslim ladies sheet outfit." "I think that's called a chadar." "Well, whatever. I wonder how he ever got to be a cop with this kind of allergy. I bet he had an uncle on some police force in Illinois. Want a beer honey?" "Not now Don. The girls will be in any minute now." "Oh yeah. Our Jenny's first combination birthday/slumber party." Don smiled as he poured his Molson's into a glass and sipped the yellow-gold brew. "She's growing up so fast." The sound of pounding feet and high, giggling voices on the back porch signaled the arrival of Jenny and her friends. "Daddy, you're home early." she squealed as she exploded through the door and grabbed Don in a running tackle hug. "Of course, for my special girl's ninth birthday party I insisted I get home on time." "Good. Dadddddiiiee," she asked in a wheedling plea, "can we order pizza. It's my birthday and Mom says it's up to you. Pluheeezz Daddy." Don looked over at Myra, "What's in the pot, honey?" "It's stew Don, it will taste better tomorrow." "Okay," Don lifted Jenny up for a big hug and realized how tall she was getting. "Pizza it will be." and the general pandemonion of extra cheese, mushrooms, yuck mushrooms, no onions filled the air as he ordered one medium pepperoni and one special. Soon the table was cover with pizza, soda pop and a pile of gifts at the far end. Jenny and her friends Nadia, Becky and Shannon were babbling about music, television and boys to Don's dismay. They sounded more like nineteen then nine. After the candles were blown out and the cake eaten it was time to open the presents. "That's from me," Shannon said as Jenny ripped the paper off the small package. It was a Madonna cd. "Oh wow. Can I play it on your stereo Daddy." "If you're careful," Don said as he eyed the cd warily. "Now mine." Nadia pushed her brightly wrapped parcel for ward. Inside was a black velvet choker with a rhinestone crucifix and a matching earrings. "Wow," Jenny breathed, "they're beautiful." "And now mine." Becky proudly plopped her gift down. Inside was a small music box topped by a glass unicorn. The key was wound and the tinkling notes of 'My Favourite Things,' slipped filled the air. "That's really pretty. Thank you Becky. And Nadia. And Shannon. Everything so wonderful." "Well, now the time for our present," Myra put a large box in front of Jenny. "We hope it's alright?" she stepped over to don and they watched together as Jenny ripped the bright paper off the box. Inside was a summer sun dress with matching sandals and a purse. "Daddy and I think this will look nice on you when we go on vacation....to Disney world." "Disneyworld." the girls screamed together. "Jenny, you're so lucky." Shannon squealed and the girls were talking all at once again. "I think we should leave now, Don." "Yeah, I'm beginning to feel a hundred years old. Disney world? How can we afford to go to Disneyworld?" "Skin Pretty. I'm number one in salesperson in Ontario this year and we get a trip for four to Disneyworld." "Great." Don danced Myra into the kitchen. "You are wonder ful. Who do we take as a fourth?" "Nick?" Myra smiled slyly. "Nick! We'd have to pack him in a box in the cargo hold and keep him in the closet all day. How about your Mom." "I was hoping you'd say that, I'll invite her in the morning and you make arrangements to get a week off in July or Au gust." "Oh God Myra. We'll fry." he laughed as he hugged his wife again. Night closed around the house. The girls were bouncing off the basement walls wearing off a sugar rush as Myra and Don sat in the kitchen sipping coffee and checking real estate listings. At nine o'clock Don brought down a huge bowl of popcorn for the girls who were now in their pajamas and ready to watch videos all night. Don didn't think they'd last too much longer. It was about eleven o'clock when Schanke went down to the basement to turn off the T.V. The gentle, regular sounds of breathing indicated the girls were asleep. It wasn't 'til he reached the stairs that he realized that Jenny was sit ting up, watching him. "What's the matter pumpkin?" he whispered as he turned to his daughter. "Daddy, I gotta question for you. I'm kinda confused." Don braced himself, thinking of ways to explain boys to his little girl as he said. "Come upstairs pumpkin, we'll talk there, in private." Jenny reached for his hand and together they tiptoed up the stairs and into the living room. Schanke sat down on his recliner and Jenny climbed up on his lap and cuddled up close. "Daddy," she began, "we were watching movies downstairs. There was one that reminded me of Mr. Knight." "Nick!" oh oh, little bells went off in his head. "What movie were you watching?" "it was called 'Monster Squad' and there was Dracula and the mummy and the wolf man and Frankenstein and the creature in it." "And what reminded you of Nick?" "Well, Nick only works at night, so he only comes out at night. Right?" "No pumpkin, Detective Knight is allergic to sunlight, so he works at night. You've seen him during the day. He was here once during the day." "Yeah,,,but he was all covered up." "But he wasn't in a coffin, just a heavy coat and hat." "What does he eat? He was here for a party and he didn't eat or drink anything?" "I think that's part of the allergies too. I've seen him drink protein shakes. It's hard having allergies Jenny. Do you like being allergic to apples." "No." "Can you imagine really bad allergies and how hard it would be to have them. Now, what else?" "You said Nick was real strong, that you saw him hold a man outside a window with one arm. Dracula held a man way up with only one arm." "Honey, I said I thought I saw Nick hold someone out a window by one arm. I was mistaken." I hope she doesn't see me lying, Schanke thought miserably. "And Nick doesn't fly or turn into a bat. And I personally saw Nick inside a church and handle a cross. Vampires can't do that, can they?" "No, I guess not. I guess you're right, but it was nice pretending for a little while." Jenny closed her eyes and leaned against Schanke and together they sat when a knock came to the door. "Who is that?" Don got up as Jenny ran to the door. "Daddy, it's Detective Knight." Jenny pulled open the door and rushed to hug Nick on the threshold." "Hey Don, what did I do to deserve this." "Don't even ask. What brings you here this time of night." "Actually it was Jenny here." "Me?" she looked Nick wearily in the eyes. "Yes, I forgot your birthday." Nick reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. "I hope you'll like it." Jenny tore open the pink envelope and extracted a pink, flowered birthday card. Inside the card were three tickets for "Show Boat" at the North York Centre for the Performing Arts. "Wow, it's for next Saturday. Daddy I can wear my new dress." "And," Nick put in, "Natalie and I will be there too." "A date." Schanke asked. "A date. Besides right now I have to ask you something about the Ivanov case. So. can I have your daddy for a while Jenny." "Okay, I'm kind of tired anyway. Will you take care of these Daddy." Jenny held the tickets up to her father. "Sure thing Jenny. Now give me a kiss and back to bed." Nick watched enviously as Jenny kissed Don and went back to her sleeping friends downstairs. He turned to Schanke. "She's a beautiful little girl." "And smart too. She was asking some pretty interesting question tonight." "Birds and bees." Nick laughed. "No, more like partners and bats. Nick, I never pushed you to talk about yourself, but we're partners and somethings are hard to hide. If Jenny can figure things out your obviously not being very careful. Better watch it, okay partner." Nick looked at Schanke's face and saw the knowing look he half expected to find. He reached over and took his arm. "I'll be more careful. Now about the Ivanov case.