“Every Smile Is Not Happy” (Part 5)

Michael took care of his home. Everything Joanne asked him for, she got. His children looked happy, but for some reason a bit of anxiety always tugs at his heart for Lisa. There was always a smile on her face and she never expressed unhappiness… but there was a but …  He sometimes shrugs it off as a guilty conscious about his, outside of home sexual escapades.

Christmas was coming and he and Joanne went shopping for the children. Joanne had a list of items they wanted. Michael pushed the cart while she got the items. When the cart was filled he asked, “Should I get another cart?”

“No. I have one more thing to get and I can hold it.”

Michael did not pay attention to the items that was purchased. All he did was pay the bill.

On Christmas morning Michael sat on the couch looking at his sons and daughters as they took their gifts from under the Christmas tree. He smiled happily as their excitement grew, and he looked for Lisa, but she was not by the Christmas tree. She was smiling as she stood at the entrance of the corridor looking at them. To him she looked as though she was intruding on a private family moment…

“Joanne, did you buy anything for Lisa?”

“No.”

“You had a list. Was there anything on it for her?”

“No. She told me she wanted something, but I thought she told you and you were going to buy it.” Michael started to get up to go and talk to Lisa, but Joanne said, “Where are you going. This is our family time. Please don’t miss this moment. Lisa will be fine.”

Michael sat down and he felt his emotions were going to explode. He took a deep breath then he forced a smile, as one of his sons shouted at him to look at his gift. When the excitement was over, he got up and went to the bathroom. He leaned against the sink as his tears overflowed~~~ “Dear God, how could this be happening to my child. This is her home.”...