“I see,” he simply replies.

“That’s it, aren't you curious as to where we're going?”

Larry shakes his head, “Not really. I am just happy to spend some time with my girl. I don't care about the place.”

Amy smiles. She is happy to spend some alone time with her daddy, too. Furthermore, she is sure he is going to love what she planned for the day.

The journey doesn't last much. Soon Amy pulls over and stops the car, announcing to Larry they have reached their destination. Like she hoped, her father's eyes sparkle with joy the moment he looks up to read the sign in front of them: Phil's Magic Shop.

“Our friend Howard says they have parent-child magic workshops in here,” Amy explains, “His own kids are still too young to participate, so he suggested a magic enthusiast whose daughter is old enough…”

“Are- Are you saying they are going to teach us magic tricks?” Larry asks with excitement. At this point, Amy can't hold her own anymore.

“Yes!” she exclaims with a little jump and what’s probably an excessive motion of her hands, “Isn't it exciting?”

“And don't worry,” she adds as they approach the shop, “Since it's mainly geared to kids, I have been assured there are no sharp objects involved.”

“Fair enough,” he concedes.

As expected, both father and daughter have a blast. No one seems to really care about the fact the child of the pair is a 30-something married woman. The titular Phil is a kind, funny middle-aged man who makes sure everyone can understand and try out the basic magic tricks he is showing them.

Within the first hour, both Amy and Larry are able to pull out quarters from the other with ease. In about a couple of hours, they begin to master a few tricks with rings and colorful handkerchiefs. Later, they have some difficulties with the pickpocketing- uh, objects disappearance/reappearance techniques, but especially Amy compensates with a remarkable ability with card games involving numerical patterns and procedures. They leave the store three and a half later with a couple of boxes full of magic tools, a magician hat for Larry, and two cheerful smiles painted on their faces.

Left their purchases in the car, they decide to extend their afternoon together with an ice-cream and a walk around the block. Once Amy is done with her cone, Larry offers her his arm for the last stretch.

“I had so much fun today,” Amy admits as she leans into her dad, “I miss spending time with you.”

“Oh, pumpkin” he strokes her arm and smiles, “I miss that too. Sometimes it's hard to remember you are not my little girl anymore.”

“I will always be your little girl, daddy,” she reminds him as she tightens her hold on him. She can't even imagine a world where her daddy isn't in it.

“You know, we could do this again sometimes. I saw at the shop there will be some interesting magic shows in the Los Angeles area,” Larry says.

“Oh, yes. I saw the flyers. Phil showed me some of those insisting on how closely you look like that Teller magician.”

Larry escapes a little chuckle, “I saw the guy, I don't think our friend Phil is right. It's nothing like me.”

“Anyway, we could go see some of those, and ask your mother and Sheldon to come with us,” he suggests.

“I guess not that Teller guy then. There's no way we are bringing mom and Sheldon to Vegas,” Amy complains, “To be honest, I don't think we could bring them to a magic show in the first place.”

“Well, don't be discouraged about that,” Larry insists, “I think we still should try to ask them. Especially you, don't ignore the power of persuasion you have with your husband.” He is well aware of that. Even if they don’t hang out at his house as often as he liked, he could still observe over the course of the years the influence his Amy has on that odd, lanky man.

“What about mom?”

“Uh, I guess…” Suddenly he stops, and it looks like he is searching for something. Then he stares at Amy, smiling sweetly. “I guess I'll try with flowers,” he finally finishes while a small and scented bouquet seems to have just appeared in his free hand. He hands out it to Amy, “For you, my lady.”

“How you did that!” Amy almost cries with astonishment.