Justin
There are somany other places I’d rather be than in my living room while Dad tells me all the ways I’ve disappointed him. I’m a straight A student, in the top ten of my class, and hold down a part time job. Compared to some people I go to school with, I happen to think I’m a huge fucking success. And the only person who has been there for me is Audrey. That’s the real reason for this tongue lashing.
“Are you even listening to me, Son?” Dad’s voice booms through the room. It’s a wonder the neighbors can’t hear him. If they can, I bet they’re trying to guess what I’ve done to deserve this ire.
“Yes, Dad.” My voice is devoid of all emotion. I could have been getting sloppy drunk with my classmates, acting like an ass, and he would have been fine with it. Why? Because I wouldn’t have been with my longtime girlfriend. Tell me how that makes any kind of sense. If he gave me an actual reason besides the bullshit he’s been spouting for the past year, it’d be different. I’d at least listen to what he has to say. But no, he acts like a toddler that hasn’t gotten his way, and stomps his feet saying do what I want.
He’s still talking and all I can think about is being at Audrey’s house playing near deadly card games with her and her cousins. As annoying as it can be sharing my time with her, that would have been a walk in the park compared to this. “Damn it, Justin. I don’t know why I even bother. It’s not like you’re going to listen to anything I have to say.” That sounds like the scream fest is coming to an end. He’s been going on for almost an hour. I honestly can't recall half of what he’s said.
“I don’t know why you do either.” I spit out. I’m not usually one to talk back to him, but I’m getting tired of the same argument over and over. “You can’t keep me away from Audrey.” Though that’s exactly what he did tonight by calling nonstop and basically forcing me to come home.
“You shouldn’t be this serious with a girl at your age.” He crosses his arms and glares down at me.
“Why, Dad?” I stand, forcing him to take a step back. “Give me one good reason and I’ll stop spending all my free time with her.”
“It’s not healthy,” he stammers. “And as long as you’re under my roof, you’ll do as I say.”
“Maybe I won’t be under your roof anymore.” I set my shoulders back and stand at my full height, which is taller than my father. The idea has been brewing in the back of my mind for a while…since my birthday to be exact.
“You can’t do that.” A smug smile crosses his face. “You wouldn’t make it a week. How exactly are you going to pay for anything?”
“I’m eighteen, Dad.” His question isn’t worth answering. He must have forgotten I have a damn job. I’ve worked at a fulltime capacity all summer. Aside from my insurance, gas, and phone bill, I don’t have any other responsibilities. The extra money has been put away in case I need it. Right now, it sounds like I might.
“You’re still my son.” He’s not going to let this go. It’s time for me to go to my room before I say something, we both regret.
“Whatever…I’m going to bed.” There’s no use arguing with him any more tonight. He’s not going to give me any valid reasons, and I’m not going to waste my breath. It’s a losing battle no matter how you look at it, and it’s not worth the energy and headache I feel coming on. I check my pocket for my phone and head down the hallway, half expecting him to call me back to the living room to be yelled at more.
I don’t bother turning on the light when I get to my room. I wasn’t lying when I said I was going to bed. The constant fighting with him over me dating Audrey is exhausting. My hopes of him dropping it one day are dwindling day by day. It seems it gets worse the closer I get to the school year. I’m not sure what he thinks is going to happen. It’s not like I’m going to knock her up and ruin my future. We’re careful when we have sex, and it’s not like we’ve even done anything that many times. Both of us have big dreams of getting out of this shit hole town, and having a baby as teens is not part of that plan.
I’m halfway to my bed when I have a thought. I better close and lock my door. Otherwise, Dad may try to come in here and berate me more in another hour. He’s done it before, and I have zero doubts he’ll do it again. Especially after the moving out bombshell. I’m not saying it will happen for sure, but the option is there should I feel the need to get out of this house. It’s times like these I wish he would have gotten remarried after my mom left. Hell, any kind of motherly influence would be nice. Maybe he wouldn’t be such a controlling hardass if he was happy.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I lie down on my bed and call Audrey. If anyone can make this night better it’s her. She has a way of talking me down after getting into it with Dad, and she’s exactly what I need right now. Her phone rings a few times before rolling over to voicemail. She may not be able to hear it over whatever she’s doing with her family. They are a boisterous bunch, but at least they have fun together. I’ll try to call her one more time, and if she doesn’t answer, I’ll go to bed like I said I would.
The voicemail picks up again, and I leave a message this time. “Hey Audrey, I just wanted to hear your voice, but I guess you’re busy. I hope you’re kicking Tiffany’s ass in whatever game y’all are playing. I have to open tomorrow so I’ll come by when I get off work.” There that doesn’t sound too pathetic.
The cord to charge my phone is under the nightstand and I reach down to grab it before plugging it into my phone. I set it down on the very edge right next to my bed. Maybe she’ll call me when she gets a chance. Or maybe she won’t hear the message until tomorrow morning. Either way, it’s way past time for me to call it a night. The boss likes for us to get to the store earlier than normal when we open and I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day. Hopefully Dad chills out before I see him again. With my luck it’s not likely to happen and he’ll be up early to get on my ass about it, effectively ruining my day. I can’t wait to get out of this town and away from him.