hand
for a long while before the emotional exhaustion takes me from her.
Chapter Fifteen
5 Years Ago (Age 15): February
I didn’t know getting ready for a date is this
nerve wracking. I can’t figure out what
to wear, even though I’m fairly certain jeans are acceptable. I’ve taken two showers since I apparently put
on the wrong kind of cologne when I got out the first time — according to my
nine-year-old sister. This meant I had
to change my clothes since they also smelled of the aforementioned cologne. Finally, I get everything right — dating guru Jennifer Green approved – when a new problem arises: my
parents aren’t home.
So here I sit waiting for my parents to get
home so one of them can bring me to the movie theater. I hate only having a permit and over six
months until I can legally take the driving test. The time says it’s 15 to six and I’m
seriously starting to freak out. I’m
pretty sure being late to your first date — ever — is frowned upon. In fact, I think it ranks
right up there with being late for your wedding or spoiling the ending of the
movie while in the theater watching it.
Finally, I hear the car pull in to the drive
and I nearly pull my mom out of the car when I use too much strength to open
the door she was already in the process of opening. I mumble an apology as I jump into the
passenger seat she just vacated. My
dad’s surprise is all over his face as he looks at me.
“I told you I have a date, Dad,” I remind him.
“I’m supposed to be there at six.” He chuckles at me as a response and starts
the car again. My mother moves to the
driver side and leans into the window, James comes to mine.
“I’m just going to drop him off real fast and
then I’ll be back.” My mom nods and gives him a quick kiss before looking at
me.
“Is it that hot chick from the club?” James
asks me with a huge knowing smile. I
roll my eyes at him.
“I refuse to answer that lame question,” I
answer and his smile grows bigger.
“I knew it!” He triumphantly shouts in my ear
and messes my hair up.
“By the way, Alan, we got James’ pictures
developed,” she relates to me, “thought you might like to look at them later.”
She smiles knowingly. She giggles at my
enthusiastic nod and, after one last kiss from my dad, she goes into the house.
The trip to the theater isn’t a long one, but
it’s not a short jump either. Which means there is plenty of time for my dad to talk to me about
things. He’s always trying to
talk to me. I hate it. I guess I should
be happy that I have a dad who actually cares about me enough to want to know
how my life is or what’s going on in it, but really I just don’t want to talk
about it.
Especially with my dad.
“So, I
haven’t seen Sam in a while.” My dad tries to start a conversation. I’m only half listening, but answer just the
same.
“Some things happened and now she has a
boyfriend.” He frowns at this.
“That’s too bad,” he comments, “you guys used
to be so close.” I nod my head.
“Yeah, but there’s nothing I can do about
it. She didn’t want me.” My mind stops
for a half second and the smile on my dad’s face tells me he caught the mistake
I made. Damn it, I had to tell him about
my feelings for Sam. Though, knowing
him, he probably already knew about them.
“Don’t read any more into that statement then
needs to be read,” I deflect. He nods
his head, but that damn smile never leaves his face.
“Of course, son, of course.” I give up and go back to reading. I can
feel the blood fill my cheeks. There is
nothing more embarrassing than telling your dad about your love life,
especially unintentionally.
Arriving at the theater, I slam the car door in
my hasty escape. Running through The
Marketplace isn’t a good idea on a Saturday night. This is the popular hangout place for all the
teens in the area. It
for a long while before the emotional exhaustion takes me from her.
Chapter Fifteen
5 Years Ago (Age 15): February
I didn’t know getting ready for a date is this
nerve wracking. I can’t figure out what
to wear, even though I’m fairly certain jeans are acceptable. I’ve taken two showers since I apparently put
on the wrong kind of cologne when I got out the first time — according to my
nine-year-old sister. This meant I had
to change my clothes since they also smelled of the aforementioned cologne. Finally, I get everything right — dating guru Jennifer Green approved – when a new problem arises: my
parents aren’t home.
So here I sit waiting for my parents to get
home so one of them can bring me to the movie theater. I hate only having a permit and over six
months until I can legally take the driving test. The time says it’s 15 to six and I’m
seriously starting to freak out. I’m
pretty sure being late to your first date — ever — is frowned upon. In fact, I think it ranks
right up there with being late for your wedding or spoiling the ending of the
movie while in the theater watching it.
Finally, I hear the car pull in to the drive
and I nearly pull my mom out of the car when I use too much strength to open
the door she was already in the process of opening. I mumble an apology as I jump into the
passenger seat she just vacated. My
dad’s surprise is all over his face as he looks at me.
“I told you I have a date, Dad,” I remind him.
“I’m supposed to be there at six.” He chuckles at me as a response and starts
the car again. My mother moves to the
driver side and leans into the window, James comes to mine.
“I’m just going to drop him off real fast and
then I’ll be back.” My mom nods and gives him a quick kiss before looking at
me.
“Is it that hot chick from the club?” James
asks me with a huge knowing smile. I
roll my eyes at him.
“I refuse to answer that lame question,” I
answer and his smile grows bigger.
“I knew it!” He triumphantly shouts in my ear
and messes my hair up.
“By the way, Alan, we got James’ pictures
developed,” she relates to me, “thought you might like to look at them later.”
She smiles knowingly. She giggles at my
enthusiastic nod and, after one last kiss from my dad, she goes into the house.
The trip to the theater isn’t a long one, but
it’s not a short jump either. Which means there is plenty of time for my dad to talk to me about
things. He’s always trying to
talk to me. I hate it. I guess I should
be happy that I have a dad who actually cares about me enough to want to know
how my life is or what’s going on in it, but really I just don’t want to talk
about it.
Especially with my dad.
“So, I
haven’t seen Sam in a while.” My dad tries to start a conversation. I’m only half listening, but answer just the
same.
“Some things happened and now she has a
boyfriend.” He frowns at this.
“That’s too bad,” he comments, “you guys used
to be so close.” I nod my head.
“Yeah, but there’s nothing I can do about
it. She didn’t want me.” My mind stops
for a half second and the smile on my dad’s face tells me he caught the mistake
I made. Damn it, I had to tell him about
my feelings for Sam. Though, knowing
him, he probably already knew about them.
“Don’t read any more into that statement then
needs to be read,” I deflect. He nods
his head, but that damn smile never leaves his face.
“Of course, son, of course.” I give up and go back to reading. I can
feel the blood fill my cheeks. There is
nothing more embarrassing than telling your dad about your love life,
especially unintentionally.
Arriving at the theater, I slam the car door in
my hasty escape. Running through The
Marketplace isn’t a good idea on a Saturday night. This is the popular hangout place for all the
teens in the area. It
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