"Grandad, will you play with me?"
Duncan smiled at the little girl while he closed his book. His voice was chipper, as per usual. "Of course! What do you want to play?"
She gave him a mischievous look. "Will you play dolls with me?"
He grinned. "Of course, Sweetheart."
The minutes passed by far too fast while Duncan spoke in a high voice, and dressed Only Hearts Club dolls many times over. The two were so engrossed in their play that they didn't hear the knock on the front door, nor did they notice when the visitor let himself in.
"Well, well, well, what have we here?"
Unfazed, Duncan glanced over his shoulder. He made his current doll wave while he spoke in an unearthly high voice for a gentleman his age. "Come and play with us, Danny!"
"Yes, come play! You can be Brianna Joy, Mr. McCarthy."
"Thank you, Jules; I think I will. But isn't Brianna Joy your favorite?"
"Yes," Jules nodded gravely. "She is, but you're my favorite (after Grandad, of course), so I don't mind it if you play with her."
Daniel chuckled. "I sincerely appreciate the honor you have seen fit to bestow upon me. Thank you." He was handed a small doll, along with the shoebox which contained her wardrobe. He stretched his voice to accommodate Jules, and was rewarded with a bubble of sweet laughter. His friend laughed out loud.
Minutes stretched into hours, and before they knew it, it was dinner time.
Duncan looked at his watch. "My, how time flies when you're having fun! I never thought I'd say this about playing dolls with my little girl, but, let's do that again sometime. Soon."
Daniel McCarthy slapped his shoulder in a good-natured way. "Just be sure to invite me when you do. Jules, how does pizza sound for a late dinner? It's on me tonight, Duncan, since Mary isn't here to scold me for eating it.
"I love pizza!!"
"Then it's settled. I'll call our favorite pizza place right now. Would you like some breadsticks with your pizza, Jules?"
"Yes please!"
"Jules, why don't you put in a movie for us to watch?"
"Okay Grandad. Can we watch Cinderella?"
He smiled indulgently and patted her cheek. "Sounds good. Can you go get it ready?"
"Yes sir."
Jules was off with a laugh. Daniel hung up his phone, and joined Duncan. They watched while Jules hummed to herself over the DVD player.
"She's come a long way in the last six months, friend."
Duncan nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes she has. God is good."
"Amen."

CHAPTER 1: NEW BEGINNINGS