“You know, you could come up with a better lie as to why you skipped school.”
“No, dad, I’m serious! Look, look!”
Lily reached out and stuck her fingers right into her dad’s mug. He quickly moved it away from her.
“Lily, that’s unsanitary, don’t– whoa…” he looked into the mug to see his water had been frozen solid. “Alright, alright, I believe you, but that doesn’t mean you’re not in trouble.”
“I know…” Lily lowered her head. ”I’m sorry for skipping school, it’s just, my friend–”
“Don’t worry, I already heard all about it. I know you were just trying to help.” He smiled and ruffled her hair. “But next time you run off into the woods, make sure you’re back before school ends, Lils.”
“Yeah, okay, I promise.”
“Right, now then,” her dad stood up out of his chair excitedly and crouched down to his daughter's eye level, beaming.
"What else can you do?”