[ WP ] ANYTHING , but - The story must take place in one space ( room , kitchen , warehouse , etc ... ) , include no more than 5 characters , and be based on human emotion .

`` Hey hey, Kara! Daddy's home! How's my little girl doing?'' 
 
 `` Daddy!'' 
 
 Dave walked into the kitchen, where his daughter and her babysitter Janice were currently. Janice had a little stuffed dog in her hand and was playing out a scene on the kitchen table. Kara was laughing in delight. Without turning away from the animal hijinks being enacted, Janice acknowledged Dave with a slight nod. 
 
 `` Hi Mr. Roberts, you're a bit late.'' It was half past eight and Dave should've been home three hours ago. Work was hard to come by right now and he needed all the hours he could get. 
 
 `` Sorry Janice, work got really busy and I had to put some extra hours in.'' Dave took his gloves off and placed them on the counter. `` How is she? Has she had dinner yet?'' 
 
 The sitter placed the stuffed animal down and gave Kara a pat on the head. `` She's a joy, as always. And no, dinner has n't happened. We did n't know when you'd be home and I did n't want to impose. You know how picky she is.'' 
 
 Mr. Roberts nodded and started towards the cabinet adjacent the refridgerator. `` I understand. Well thank you again for watching her. $ 50 for the day, as usual?'' 
 
 `` $ 100, Dave.'' she shook her head. `` I've been here for over half a day with no call from you. I missed my mom's birthday dinner for this.'' 
 
 A wave of regret washed over Dave. `` I'm so, so sorry. Again, it was-'' 
 
 `` I understand. I know how it is.'' Janice looked apologetically at Kara, who was cooing towards the stuffed toys on the table. `` I ca n't imagine how hard it must be now that Stacy...'' she trailed off realizing what was coming out of her mouth. 
 
 Dave noticeably sagged as he turned on the faucet and filled a pot with water. `` S'alright,'' he murmured. `` I'll leave the money on the counter tomorrow morning, okay?'' 
 
 She stood up and approached Dave. `` Sounds good,'' she said. Janice gave Dave a big hug. 
 
 `` You're a good father,'' she finished. She went back over to Kara to give her a hug as well. `` I'll see you tomorrow, Karaface.'' 
 
 `` Doggy!'' 
 
 Janice smiled, and made her way out. 
 
 The next half hour or so were silent as Dave prepared his daughter's dinner. The instructions were simple enough, but somehow he always managed to screw it up. Mac and cheese should n't be this difficult, Dave decided. 
 
 When the meal was finished, he scooped a serving into a bowl and made his way to the table. `` Dinner's ready, Kara.'' 
 
 As Dave cleared her toys to the other side of the table, Kara looked down at the bowl of mac and cheese and squealed in delight. `` Cheese!'' she exclaimed. 
 
 He smiled a bit. `` Yeah, macaroni and cheese, your favorite.'' He took a spoon and began the process of feeding his daughter. `` Was Janice fun today?'' 
 
 Kara grinned and nodded. A bite of macaroni fell into her lap. 
 
 `` Oh, let me get that for you.'' Dave grabbed a napkin and delicately retrieved the fallen morsel. He then took the clean side of the napkin and dabbed at some cheese on Kara's face. 
 
 `` That's good. Listen, I know you do n't understand me, but I need to tell you how sorry I am that I ca n't be around as much.'' Dave's expression sobered slightly. `` Things have been hard since mommy left, and I want to make sure I can take care of you.'' 
 
 He wiped his brow as he unwittingly thought of Stacy earlier this week. They had fought, again, in this very room. The words were barbed and hurtful, and Dave thanked God that the TV in the living room was loud enough that Kara could n't hear. He was also thankful Kara did n't see her mother with packed bags, or her running out the door. 
 
 As he lost himself in memory, Kara remained smiling. `` Mommy,'' she said, a grin still on her face. 
 
 Snapped out of his daydream, Dave's face became unreadable. `` Yeah honey, mommy's going to be gone a while. That's why we have Janice now. Janice is nice, is n't she?'' 
 
 `` Mommy,'' Kara said again, staring at her father with innocent eyes. 
 
 The look on his daughter's eyes caused his own to well up. `` Yeah that's right,'' he sniffled. `` Mommy.'' As he took another spoonful to his daughter's mouth, he brightened up a bit. 
 
 `` I have a birthday preeeeesent for you, baby.'' Dave stood up and quickly dashed out of the kitchen. He was back after a quick open and slam of a door with a cage about 2 feet tall. `` I know you like dogs,'' he started, placing the cage on the floor and unlocking it. `` So I thought you might like this.'' 
 
 He reached in and brought out a small puppy, black and brown and small enough to be held in one hand, although Dave did n't do so. He gingerly placed it on the table. 
 
 Kara's mouth opened wide, slightly chewed food in her mouth. `` DOGGY!'' she yelled. Her eyes were alight with happiness. 
 
 `` Yep, doggy,'' Dave responded, watching the puppy wander the table, adjusting to her new surroundings. `` Her name is Jasmine. Can you say Jasmine?'' 
 
 `` DOGGY!'' 
 
 `` We'll work on that,'' he said. `` She's going to be your new best friend, okay? So whenever I'm gone you'll have her and Janice.'' 
 
 He thought of how tough things would be. He wanted to make Kara happy, but financially this may not work out. He'd have to cut corners a bit, work more hours. Skip some lunches and dinners for himself. 
 
 `` She'll sleep in your bed tonight, is that okay?'' 
 
 Kara gleamed, and that was all he needed to know that was the right decision. 
 
 `` Well, let's get you cleaned up and ready for bed, okay baby?'' Dave picked Jasmine back up and placed it on his daughter's lap. The now-23-year-old girl looked down in awe, as her father took hold of the handles on the wheelchair. 
 
 `` Doggy.'' 
 
 `` Yes honey, doggy.'' 
 
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 I've totally been behind a granite mountain of a writer's block on another piece, and thought this was a lovely prompt to take my mind off my other WIP for a while. I hope you enjoyed it!
