Page 17 of 3rd and 4
“Hi Dad!”
“Pumpkin. Are you on your way to your next class?” Chuckling, I stretch out on the bench and bask in the midday sun shining through the trees. Mom wasn’t too worried about me going away to school, but Dad has been worried sick about his little girl. He’s memorized my schedule and insisted on linking our phones together so he can track where I’m at (too bad it didn’t help locate my stolen phone). It doesn’t bother me if it makes him feel better, a little piece of mind goes a long way.
“I am, but I’ve got time. How are things back home?”
“Oh, nothing changes around here, you know that. We called about your performance!” Mom says excitedly. I can hear her clapping, and a pang of homesickness momentarily overwhelms me. I suck in a harsh breath, rubbing my sternum asshe continues. “You were…Daya, you were incredible! You’re always amazing, you know that. But your performance was…transcendent!”
“Hmph.” Dad makes a noise of discontent. “Who’s the boy?”
So, here’s a little fun fact, I haven’t mentioned that Addy and I are dating yet. I’ve mentioned him, along with Eva and a few others, but I don’t know. I wasn’t ready to share. I think a part of me kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak. For him to come to his senses and realize I’m not as attractive as he first thought, my boobs are too small, I’m too muscular, or his attention was all a joke. Some of that had briefly entered my mind, but watching some of those teen movies with Eva has really screwed me up a little.
I trust Addy. Completely. I know what we feel for each other is real, true, honest.
“I told you, that’s the Mic-Man, Elijah Addelsbach. He’s a senior.” Mom answers for me, her tone indicating Dad has nothing to worry about regarding my dance partner.
“Well…” I start, cough uncomfortably and shift on the bench.
“Daya?” They speak in unison, Dad’s tone reserved, Mom’s high-pitched.
“He is the Mic-Man, and my partner, and my boyfriend.” I’m proud that I manage to speak evenly, though my voice went up a little at the end of boyfriend. Can’t be helped, he’s my first…everything. This is uncharted territory, not only for me, but my parents. Yes, my brother dates, but never anything serious.
“He’s older than you,” Dad says after a long, uncomfortable silence.
“By four years. Remind me again how much older you are than Mom?”
“Well, that’s irrelevant. You are my daughter—”
“And Mom is Pappy’s daughter.”
Mom starts laughing, more like cackling, clearly enjoying my retort. “Daddy hated you so much!”
“Your dad loves me.”
“He does now. Has for a while. But I had to talk him down from stringing you up and leaving you for the wild animals to feast on.”
I smile fondly. “Pappy is cutthroat.”
Dad mumbles, “How is this the same man who had tea parties with Daya and wore a tiara?”
“We got off track. So, you and Elijah?”
“Yes, Mom. Me and Elijah.” I can’t help the wistful way I say his name or the sappy grin that I can’t wipe off my face.
“I need to meet him.” Dad demands sternly.
I sit up, dropping my feet to the ground. “You’re coming to visit?” That would be so awesome! I miss them so much.
“I guess we must. I don’t want you getting serious with a boy without meeting him first to determine his worthiness.”
“Dad. Addy is the best man I know, beside you and Brad.”
“You’re biased and cannot render an impartial opinion. It’s the hearts in your eyes! You’re blind!” I laugh, knowing Dad isn’t upset, he’s just protective. Once he meets Addy, he’ll see what I mean.
Mom cuts in, “We were thinking of coming up during Homecoming week.”
“That’s three weeks away!” The volume of my voice is bordering on obnoxious, but I don’t care. My parents are coming to visit!“Is Brad coming too?” I miss my big brother. I wasn’t lying when I told Addy that he was my best friend.
“Yup.”
