She nods. “I’ve been making payments for two years and a half years. I have another six or seven months.”
“So, if I understand this,” I say, “You participated in a college sorority prank that went wrong. Everyone else got away with it and because you weren’t going to betray your friends you got stuck as the only one who got in trouble. In fact, you were willing to pay for the damages just so your friends wouldn’t get in trouble.”
She nods and says glumly, “Yes, Daddy.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed, honey,” he says. “I think you should be proud.”
“Proud? I’m a criminal.”
“No, sweetie,” I say. “You made a mistake and it wasn’t criminal even if you broke the law. If you got a speeding ticket, you wouldn’t think you were a criminal. It’s like that, just with a much bigger fine.”
She doesn’t seem convinced. “At the very least, little one, you shouldn’t should be ashamed. You’re doing everything right. You’ve made a lot of payments on this. That takes courage and discipline.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she says. I don’t think she’s convinced.
“Little girl, I want to make a deal with you. I want you to submit this situation to me and—”
“As long as you’re not going to pay the damages for me,” she says quickly.
“Don’t interrupt,” I say sternly.
“Sorry, Daddy,” she says.
“I want you to submit this situation to me, let me help you not feel ashamed. I won’t pay the damages for you since you don’t want me to. I want you to submit it to me, though, and in exchange, I’ll tell you the secret I haven’t told you about myself.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she says.
“I’m a millionaire,” I say.
Before I can finish, she says, “You already told me that, Daddy. I mean, you didn’t use the word but you bought me earrings that probably cost three thousand dollars and said it was like ten dollars for you.”
“Don’t make me tell you not to interrupt me again!”
She gulps and says, “Okay, Daddy.”
“I’m a millionaire because I built a successful factory that made components for computers. I sold it for several million dollars a year and a half ago.” I feel tears welling up in my eyes and she immediately sits on my lap and strokes my cheek. “Anyway, the new owners shut down the factory immediately and moved production overseas. Nine-hundred and twenty people lost their jobs.”
She kisses my cheek and says, “That wasn’t your fault, Daddy.” I don’t say anything and she kisses my cheek again. “I’ll submit to you, Daddy,” she whispers.
“Good girl,” I say.