I pulled my phone from my pocket to text my mother, asking if she had any big plans for dinner. When she asked why, I explained that Brad and Lillian had invited me to a diner nearby and that I wanted to see them before heading back to the dorm.
She said it was fine and I put my phone back in my pocket where my hand lingered. Should I text Daddy, too? I wasn’t positive I wanted this to be so formal and attached yet. I decided against the idea and went back to shelving books until we closed for the day.
I didn’t bother going home to change. I’m still not ready to encounter my parents yet. After I clocked out, Brad and Lillian rode with me in my car to the diner up the block that we’d been going to since middle school. We’d known each other for so long that I was upset when we didn’t get accepted to the same university last year.
It didn’t make a difference because we worked in the same library and met every weekend for hikes, concerts, or beach trips. This dinner would have to count as our weekly gathering since I’d spent the night before with friends from college.
We arrived and chose the same booth we always sat in, and then made small talk as we waited for our server. Brad was filling us in on the newest otherworldly nonsense while Lillian interjected randomly to talk about someone’s outfit or recent gossip. When I didn’t make much of a peep, Lillian pointed it out.
“You know, you have been sort of off today.” I straightened my silverware on the small napkin that had been placed here when we sat down.
“I’ve just been so tired today. Sandy kept us out pretty late last night.” I explained meekly.
“Your new college friends sure like to party.” Lillian commented, rolling her gum again out of habit.
“Yeah, I think they were pretty sheltered growing up, so they’re getting it all out now.”
Our server approached the table right as Lillian was about to speak and I thanked him with my eyes. We ordered our food, turned in our menus, and then went back to our meager conversation.
“Have you met anyone?” Lillian asked curiously while twirling a straw.
Brad perked up at the question and he met my gaze briefly before turning away to focus on something else.
“No, I haven’t really had time to meet anyone else. Between studying, work, and spending time with you losers, I’ve been too preoccupied.” I smiled playfully as Lillian tossed the straw in my direction.
“You’re such a dork!” She said. “Well, I met someone. And he’s quite a hunk.”
She pulled out her phone to show off a tall, blond surfer whom she’d met at the beach a few weeks ago. We both giggled like little girls and she told me all about his life while Brad tapped on the table.
“What about you, Brad?” I asked, breaking his drum solo.
“Oh, uh…” He nervously stammered over words. “No, I haven’t met anyone.”
“Not even a friend with benefits or anything?” Lillian was so nosy.
“No, I don’t really… I don’t like casual sex.”
“Neither do I.” I chimed in to make him feel a little more comfortable. “It’s pretty useless if you ask me, like you’re using people as masturbation tools. That’s what vibrators are for.”
The two laughed at my comment, filling the awkward void of discussing the topic further. I didn’t want to talk about my sex life or a boyfriend or anything like that. Any sort of topic that would make me think of Daddy was off limits at the moment. I just wanted to enjoy my food with my friends before having to head home and pack. I knew I’d have to run into my parents at some point, so I was trying to stretch out the time.
I hope they didn’t mind me using them for that.
I’ve been standing outside the front door for about three minutes.
I want to go inside, but I’m still so incredibly nervous about encountering my mother and Daddy. After another minute of silent debate, I unlocked the door and walked in with the intent to head straight to my room. I stopped dead in my tracks when I encountered Daddy in the living room with a book in his lap.
“Hello, princess.” He’s never called me that before. “How was dinner with your friends?”
“It was nice.” I responded quickly as I head down for hall. He stood to follow.
“Are you heading back to your dorm tonight?” He asked.
I responded over my shoulder as I walked into my room, “Yeah! I’m about to do some packing.”
“Do you mind if I help?”
“Not at all.” I turned to smile because that’s what normal people do. “That would be great. Thank you.”
I grabbed my large tote and suitcase and started moving some items from my desk to the bed. I sorted a few clothes from the closet into the suitcase and began spreading out things I would possibly need to take back with me.
“What should I…?” His sentence faded as he looked around at the cluttered mess on the bed.
I explained which clothes go into the suitcase and how all my school related items went into the tote bag. He diligently followed my directions as I perused my shelf for needed textbooks. I was starting to shake with him in such close proximity. This is the longest he’s ever been in my room. What was going on?
“So, where did mom go?” I asked while taking some books down from the shelf.
“She went out with some friends to get a few drinks. I think she’ll be gone for a bit.” He explained. “that Gives us some quality time to spend together.”