Squeal!!!!

I woke up this morning happy but I couldn't quite remember why. I rolled over and there, lying on my bedside table, were three sheets of paper neatly stapled together. I remember now!

I have a rather bad habit of going to bed and then staying up half the night reading in bed. So last night I was in my room reading when Dad came up the stairs and I braced myself for "Goodnight" followed in a few minutes by a brusquer "Turn out the light!" This didn't happen. Instead my parents talked with each other quietly, almost whispering, for several minutes.

I was soon back in the wilds of my story and didn't really notice that he had gone back downstairs. Sometime later (don't think of asking how long, I was reading remember?) he came back upstairs, dropped the aforesaid papers in my lap and walked out.

I found out this morning that my reaction was somewhat disappointing. My distinguished father upon delivering his gift went back to his room and put his fingers in his ears waiting for the shriek coming from my room. I won't try to deny that when I have a nice surprise or someone gives me something I might, occasionally, let loose a loud and piercing cry.

However this was completely unexpected and very much something that I wanted and when I get a surprise that is that large with nary a hint from me and it being so very nice shrieking just doesn't seem to cover it at all. I sat frozen with an idiot's grin on my face. I tried to say something, I really did, but it came out as very small squeaks. "Eee," I said and after a pause "Eee, Eeee!" It was all very mouse-like.

The following pantomime would have done a mime proud. Head up, eyes wide, and dazedly smiling I look around the room for someone to show my prize to. There isn't anyone but that small detail doesn't quite sink in. Look down at the papers then up to the nonexistent person, smile and point at the bundle and say in the most charming manner possible "Eee." This continued for several minutes until the call came to "turn the light off and go to sleep already!"

I have, up to this point, neglected to tell all you poor uninformed people what was on those three sheets of paper stapled neatly together. I'll give you a hint. There was a Dell logo on the top... And if you don't know what it is with that you obviously don't know my father very well.

So here I will try to make up for my lack of communication skills last night. Thank you. Thank you my father for a completely unexpected, though greatly appreciated, gift. It was just what I wanted and, while I could use the old one for a few more years, it will make my life much easier. And just so you don't feel totally deprived...

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!