I’ve decided not to pack away the last of my things from college.
“We’ll be late…,” Dad reminds me in a low sing-song voice, putting his hand on my shoulder and leaning down to peck the top of my head.
“I was waiting for you,” I reply, still smiling and not meaning to sound like I’m telling him off.
“Sorry, Kiddo. Work,” he sighs, stifling a yawn and making us both feel kinda down.
My Dad’s always been there for me. But the three jobs he works to keep a roof over our heads, and now my college loan debt too?
I think we’ve moved past even acknowledging the constant elephant in the room. But Dad never complains. Never once has he said anything bad about our situation, even though we’re both constantly aware of it.
Some days I feel bad because it should be me taking my Dad out to say thank you, not leaning on him harder just because it’s my birthday.
It’s kinda tricky for me right now. I hate being unemployed and totally broke although I have a degree in business management and accounting.
“We don’t have to go if you don’t want,” I tell him honestly, not minding if we just get a pizza or something. Maybe he can get some proper rest for once.
He’s spending his first night off in weeks on a night out because of me.
“Are you kidding?” he exclaims as I shift my head to meet his gaze.
“It’s your twentieth birthday, plus I don’t think Jase would let me live it down if I missed another of your milestones,” he adds with a forced dry chuckle.
I watch his face fall some as he remembers. We both do.
His eyes, looking at the photo of Jase and me from our college graduation.
He goes silent, and I know better than to remind him of it.
My best friend Jase’s Dad didn’t make it on time that day either, so our paid portrait was just us. Minus both our Dads.
Work.
The thing that drains the life outta mine but seems to take up all of Jase’s Dad’s time too.
Not that he needs to work, not like my Dad.
Jase is an only child like me. The only real difference is he’s a stepson to his Dad and from a wealthy family. His Dad owns Hart Construction, the biggest construction company in the state.
Knowing Jase, he’s arranged a little ‘surprise’ something or other for my birthday apart from dinner anyway.
And there’s no getting out of a Jase Hart surprise, that’s for sure.
I just wish Dad could have more than just one night off. A vacation is what he needs.
“I did try to make it on time, Vanessa,” Dad reminds me somberly. And I notice his eyes glued to the photo of Jase and me in our graduation gowns again.
“I know you did, Dad,” I whisper, emotion spilling over into my voice.
“That’s why your special days mean so much now,” he confides to me, creasing his mouth again as I sniff back a tear.
“I won’t miss anything else that means so much to you. I swear,” he says firmly.
Both of us are interrupted by the chime of our front doorbell.
“That’ll be Jase,” I chirp, lightening our mood on purpose.
I don’t need Dad feeling bad about missing my graduation all over again. It would have been great if he could’ve been there earlier, but it wasn’t his fault. Dad’s never been an excuses guy. If he can’t do something he said he would, there’s always a reason beyond his control.
And it’s always because of work.
“I’ll get ready,” Dad tells himself, wiping his hands down his overalls from the plant and creasing a little smile.
“Keep Jase entertained, will ya?” he asks, hugging the door frame as his head hangs around it before he leaves.
“I’ll tell him you’ve been in the shower for ten minutes…that should keep him happy,” I smile, lifting myself up and moving toward the front door, still clutching the picture.
“Oh, and Dad?” I catch him from the other end of the hall before he disappears.
“Thanks. For everything. I know I don’t say it enough.”
He watches me for a moment and doesn’t have to say a word in reply. His entire body, his eyes. They tell me why he does what he does.
He’s the best Dad a girl could ever ask for.
“Now scoot!” I jokingly scold him, knowing better than to keep Jase waiting too. And Dad gives a mock salute of understanding before heading to the bathroom to get ready.
Jase’s plans usually run on a strict timeline. And unlike me, he’s super organized and likes to be early for everything.
I guess he has to be. He runs the accounts department at his Dad’s business now, his family’s business.
Swinging the door open, I’m met with a shower of glitter mixed with confetti and a face full of helium balloons covered in birthday wishes as my bestie, Jase, breaks into song. Singing Happy Birthday all the way through before he even thinks about stepping inside.