I walk into my mom’s room without knocking. I would appreciate it if they would not show affection in my house so they will not be getting privacy from me. She was lying on Collin’s chest in her bed. She should really honor my wishes. They were watching TV. It was some game show.
“Hey, mom. I’m leaving now. I’ll see you Monday” I say.
“Why are you leaving so early?” She sits up. I’m grateful she did that. I did not need to see that.
“Dad and I are going somewhere. He said it was a surprise but he said to get there before nine” That’s a total lie. I just didn’t want to see Jessie this morning. I’m not mad at her for last night but I know it is just going to be awkward.
“Ok bye. I’ll see you soon” She says.
“Bye mom” I say
“Bye” Collin says. I ignore him and leave the room, shutting the door behind me.
I go into my room and grab my bag quickly. I turn to leave out my door when I see the door to the guest room open.
“Please don’t be Jessie” I whisper.
I must have gotten lucky because it was Levi.”Hi Harper” He sounded tired.
“Hi Levi” I say.
“Where are you going?” He asks and rubs his eyes.
“I’m going to my dad’s house. I’ll be back on Monday” I say.
“Ok. I’ll miss you” He says and gives me a tight hug.
“Bye Levi” I say and wrap my arms around him. I wouldn’t mind having him as a little brother. Even if it is just a step brother. We let go and he goes to my mom’s room. I hope they still have clothes on. The poor kid doesn’t need to see that.
I go downstairs. The coast was clear. I assume Jessie is still asleep. She was up at 3 am last night. I go out to my car. I put my bag in the passenger seat and then started driving to my dad’s. It is about 15 minutes away. It’s a quick drive.
My car ride was spent listening to the radio. “It’s not my fault you’re like in love with me” I sing quietly to myself. I processed the words after the fact. “Shut up Renee” I hit the button to turn the radio off.
The rest of my ride was spent in silence.
“Hi dad” I yell when I walk inside.
“Hi Harbor”
That’s been his nickname for me since I was a kid. He sounded like he was coming from the living room. I walk in and sit on the couch next to him. He was watching some alligator hunting show. My dad loves reptiles. I think that is the whole reason we live in Florida. Minus the fact that he was born and raised here.
“So how is your mom’s boyfriend?” He asks.
“I hate him.” Just to put it bluntly. He chuckled. I’m sure he hates him too.
“What about his kids? Are they two little kids and you are gonna come stay with me the rest of the summer?” I’ve gone on a rant or two to him in the past.
“No thank god. One is my age and then the other one is nine” I say
“That’s not too bad. I was kinda hoping you would come stay with me though” He says.
“Maybe half the summer since half the kids are little” I say
“That’s perfect for me.” This parenting schedule and custody stuff is actual garbage. I blatantly said I wanted to live with my dad yet I still somehow ended up with my mom. Then on top of that, I only get to stay with him two times a month.
“Have you seen Casey recently?”
“I saw him a couple of days ago for a couple of hours” I say.
“You know I don’t care if you see him now, right?” He asks.
“Yeah I assumed” I say
“I still don’t want him over here though” He says.
“I didn’t think so” I laugh. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah anything” He says.
“How would you feel if I kissed a girl?” I needed to talk to someone about it. I can’t talk about it with Casey for obvious reasons. I don’t want to talk to my mom on a good day so I really don’t want to tell her this. Out of everyone in my family I’m closest with my dad so he seems like the best person to tell. Plus his brother has a husband. He is very protective of his brother when it comes to other people saying stuff about him.
“Do you really have to ask me that?” I couldn’t hide my smile. “Kiss whoever you want but don’t be a cheater.” So shady I love it.
“Thanks dad” It went quiet.
“Why? Did you kiss a girl?” He asks a few moments later.
“No. A girl kissed me and” I start and pause for a couple of second. “I just don’t know” I say.
“I would still love you even if later on you do some self-discovery and realize you’re not straight” He’s been in this same situation before with his brother. I knew he would know exactly what to say. I stand up and give him a hug. He hugs me back and then let’s go.
“I don’t want you to think I’m changing the subject or anything but I’ve been excited to tell you this”
“What is it?” I ask. I hope he doesn’t hit me with the news that he has a girlfriend. I’m having enough problems with one almost step-sibling as is.
“Well I got three tickets to a little artist you might like” He says.
“Who is it?” I got so excited. I don’t care who it is, a concert is a concert.
“Oh I don’t know if you like them” He said that very sarcastically. “Do you know Miley Cyrus”
“A little artist?” I exclaim. I feel like Levi at LegoLand yesterday. “She is not a little artist, dad”
“Yeah I figured that would be the answer” He says.
“Who’s the third ticket for?” This is where he ruins it by saying he has a girlfriend and that she is coming with us.
“Well, I figured you wouldn’t want to a concert with just your dad. That’s lame. I got it for Casey”
“Thanks, dad” I give him another hug.
“Can I go tell him?”
“Go for it.” He lets go of the hug.
I have a room at my mom’s house and dad’s house, pretty cool right? Just kidding. I wish it was one room at my mom’s. I practically run up the stairs, jump onto the bed on my stomach, and call him. Texting won’t do this news justice.
“Hi love.” Corey says when he picks up the phone.
“Hey.” I sounded overly excited. I cringed a little at myself
“Are you about to tell me cheater mom and homewrecker boyfriend broke up?” He knows me so well.
“In my dreams. You don’t have a choice but do you want to come to a concert with me and my dad?” I ask.
“Wow your dad is letting us see each other” He sounded genuinely surprised
“Shut up and answer my question” I say.
“You said I don’t have a choice” He says.
“Ok good so your going” I say.
“Of course I am” He says. “When is it?” He asks.
“Um I don’t know. Let me ask” I get up off the bed and open the door.
“Dad when is the concert?” I yell down the stairs.
“Monday night” He yells back.
“Ok. Can you drop me off at mom’s after?” I yell.
“Whatever you want”
“Ok thanks, dad” I say and close the door.
“Your welcome”
“He said Monday” I say.
“I know. You were screaming. I heard your entire conversation” Corey says.
“Ok good. I’ll see you tomorrow” I say.
“Don’t forget to tell your dad” He says.
“I won’t.” I say.
“I love you” He says
“Love you too” I hang up the phone.
Comment