- >"What's that, Dad?"
- This?
- >You show Hope something.
- >A driver.
- >A putter.
- >A golf ball.
- >A golf hole.
- >And they're all plastic.
- It's a mini-golf set. I found it at a small shop in town. Want to play?
- >Hope looks at you with a grin.
- >You can't tell what she's thinking.
- >But she has one answer.
- >"No."
- >Huh?
- >She said no.
- >Usually, Hope would be excited for these types of scenarios.
- >Maybe there's a way to convince her.
- You sure, Hope? Winner gets ice cream.
- >Hope's eyes bug out.
- >"Really?!"
- Yes, so how about it? You want to play?
- >"If you lose, you get no ice cream?"
- Hm? What makes you think I'd lose?
- >Hope grabs the putter.
- >"Let's play!"
- >She completely ignored your question.
- >You grab the driver.
- >Isn't this used for drives?
- >Hope has the advantage, but you'll manage, somehow.
- Let me set up first.
- >You place the yellow golf hole down.
- >It has a small incline.
- >A little force will be needed to enter easily.
- >Too much will send the ball flying.
- >"Hurry up, Dad!"
- >You walk about 10 feet from the hole.
- >A short distance between here and the goal.
- Over here, Hope.
- >Hope joins you.
- >She's raring to go.
- >The ball is in your hand.
- >Hope snatches it and puts it down.
- >"Ready!"
- >She takes a backswing and smacks the ball hard.
- Ah!
- >You chase after it.
- >When you return, you're huffing and puffing.
- >Hope is giggling.
- >"You ran so fast, Dad!"
- >You cough.
- >Your body is in terrible shape.
- Yeah, I did. Listen, Hope. No more backswinging. All you need to do is gently putt it.
- >She needs an example.
- >You take a stance.
- >Feet together.
- >Hands on the handle.
- >And a light touch.
- >The ball doesn't roll far.
- >Not even halfway.
- Hope, you get the idea, right?
- >"Don't hit like you?"
- Exactly! Wait, no! Just hit it with enough force but not too much. Got it?
- >"Got it!"
- >Your daughter grabs the golf ball and places it on the cement crack, the "starting line."
- >"I'm first!"
- >You want to argue about that decision, but Hope has already taken her position.
- >She smacks the ball.
- >It rolls and rolls.
- >And completely misses its target.
- >Hope runs to the ball, grabs it, and sets it back on the line.
- >"Do over."
- Do over?!
- >Your cunning flesh and blood does not abide by the rules.
- >She takes another shot.
- >You watch the ball roll straight towards its destination.
- >Your hand tightly grips the club's handle.
- >It's... it's... in?!
- >The ball sits idly in the hole.
- >Hope jumps for joy.
- >"I did it! Look, look! Ice cream!"
- >NO. WAY.
- >This can't be.
- >A bitter feeling grows inside.
- >You take a breath and make your way to the golf hole.
- >As you pick up the ball, you say a few words.
- Two out of three.
- >Hope's shoulders drop.
- >"Nuh uh! I won!"
- >You chuckle evilly.
- >This will hook her in.
- Double the ice cream.
- >"Double!?"
- You in?
- >"Mmhmm!"
- >You take the ball from the hole.
- Alright. It's my turn.
- >First attempt.
- >Failure.
- >The ball curved to the left.
- >Second attempt.
- >Hope barely misses.
- >It makes your heart pound.
- >Your turn.
- >The ball curves again.
- >Argh!
- >What are you doing wrong?
- >You need to assess the situation swiftly.
- >Third attempt.
- >Hope hits a little too hard.
- >The ball pops in and out of the golf hole.
- >You breathe a sigh of relief.
- >Hearing your own heartbeat can't be right.
- >Your turn again.
- >You can do this.
- >Concentrate.
- >Check the angle.
- >Know how much power you need.
- >And tap.
- >The ball rolls.
- >It's looking good!
- >Looking real good!
- >Come on!
- >Score!
- >You pump your fist rapidly in the air.
- Yeah! Did you see that? It went zoom and bam! One more to go!
- >As you continue to celebrate, Hope retrieves the ball.
- >Fourth attempt.
- >Her sudden silence worries you.
- >The ball barely stops short at the hole.
- Guh!
- >Close call!
- >Hope's focus has become dangerous.
- >Missing here could spell trouble.
- >You try to relax.
- >A slight tap.
- >The ball misses its mark by rolling to the right.
- >Ugh! Not good!
- >Fifth attempt.
- >Hope sets her next shot up.
- >Fear is dwelling inside.
- >This might be the end.
- >You need to hinder her.
- >Quickly!
- >Hope takes the swing.
- HOPE!!
- >She flinches and smacks the ball hard.
- >It goes off course.
- >Hope turns around and glares at you.
- >You put on an innocent, stupid smile.
- Hm? What?
- >Your quiet daughter goes to recover the ball.
- >Hoo, hoo!
- >You have a chance now!
- >Hope hands the ball to you.
- >She's quite upset, but there's a bigger stake on the line.
- >Your shot.
- >You got this.
- >All you need to do is...
- >WHACK!
- Ow!
- >Your foot kicks the club.
- >Which causes the ball to be hit and spin away.
- >You face Hope while rubbing your butt.
- What was that for?
- >"Payback!"
- >Hope proceeds to strike your rear again.
- Ouch! Hope! Stop hitting me!
- >You back away, but your daughter has a mischievous smile on her face.
- >Run!
- >Your legs move automatically as Hope chases you.
- >Her delighted laughter shatters the intense atmosphere.
- >You form a "T" with your hands.
- Truce! Truce!
- >Hope immediately pauses.
- >You rub your cramped sides.
- >Running around is killing you.
- Truce, alright?
- >Hope lowers the putter.
- >"Don't scare me like that again, Dad. It wasn't fair."
- >You rub your neck.
- Heh. Sorry. I promise I won't do it again. Really!
- >Hope smacks your behind again.
- OW!
- >"Accepted!"
- >Both you and Hope return to the start.
- >Sixth attempt.
- >The pleasant air changes.
- >You can't shake the nerves.
- >Is it hot?
- >Oh, jeez! It's hot!
- >Hope takes the putt.
- >The ball rolls smoothly.
- >No.
- >You walk to the hole.
- >Stop ball!
- >It approaches the target.
- >Stop your stupid ball!
- >Turn! Turn! Go left!
- >But it doesn't listen.
- >It makes its way up the incline.
- >And...
- >You lose.
- Ahhhhhh!
- >You fall to your knees.
- >The club hits the floor.
- >Gloom.
- >Misery
- >Despair.
- >They loom over your defeated body.
- >Hope cheers to her victory.
- >"Ice cream! Ice cream!"
- >She darts to you.
- >"Ice cream!"
- >As you look at your daughter's cute smile, you pop up from the ground.
- >Your mood turns bright.
- >Hope grabs your hand and pulls you.
- >"Let's go! Double the ice cream!"
- I'm moving! I'm moving!
- >Walking to the ice cream store and heading back home takes no longer than five minutes.
- >Hope happily licks her soft served vanilla ice cream.
- >In her other hand, she has an unopened Wonderbolts bar.
- >She's saving it for later.
- >The ice cream looks delicious.
- >You decide to raise a risky question.
- Mind sharing?
- >"No!"
- >Hope continues forth.
- >You sigh.
- >Lyra's going to scold you for ruining Hope's appetite.
- >But that's not all.
- >You've learned a valuable lesson today.
- >Never, ever make a bet with your daughter.
- >It only causes disaster for YOU.
- >And Hope always gains the upper hand.
- >Still, you had fun.
- >So did Hope.
- >She frantically waves to you.
- >Bits of vanilla surrounds her mouth.
- >Hah.
- >It's worth the consequence you'll confront later to see that expression of hers.
- >Her joyful, messy face.
- End
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