My Sister's First Love

-3-

"Your mom and I are planning a little vacation." My father crossed his legs on the couch, his rolled-up newspaper right next to him.

The two of us sat in the living room, the tv serving as background noise whilst we try to get some work done.

I had finals tomorrow, and after that, there would be one more semester before I graduated. I was excited, to say the least, but a bit wary. Jean was right as much as I wouldn't say it out loud. School had become my personality, and I might just be lost when it ends.

"Yeah? To where?"

"We're trying to choose between a cruise to the Caribbean or somewhere like Greece or Italy."

I raised my eyebrow, leaning back into the couch. "You consider that a little vacation? Sounds like y'all are living large."

My dad chuckled, holding his beer belly as he does. "Ever since the last vacation, we took when you girls were like what? 9? We haven't taken another one. And our honeymoon was probably the last time we spend quality time with each other one-on-one."

"That's... actually sad, Dad. This vacation is detrimental, not needed."

"We'll take it at the beginning of summer break and hopefully be back after the first two weeks. Can we trust you, girls, to take care of yourselves?"

"You're having this conversation with the wrong daughter, Dad."

"No, you too," he persisted. "You're growing up... and it may be taking you a little longer but there will be a boy you like -- and who will like you almost as much as I love your mother."

"Dad please," I groaned loudly, covering my face with my book. "I came here to work."

"I'm just saying girl, if you do bring anybody up in this house, just make sure that the two of you care about each other."

"Care about each other within two weeks?" I raised an eyebrow, and he shrugged.

"It took me much less with your mother."

I watched the way my father's eyes beamed as he thought about my mother and him on vacation – or maybe he was thinking of all the food he could eat but nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing him happy.

All my life they've been so supportive, so kind, and adoring. I couldn't ask for a better family truly. They accepted all my phases, even the angry, goth one, and I knew many people couldn't relate.

"I'll be working for summer, and perhaps I'll start looking into internships."

"Dionne," he deadpanned. "It's summer."

"Dad-"

"Honey, believe me, I love that you're so focused and determined. It's one of my favorite things about you," he smiles gently, almost as if he pitied me. "But there's more to life than work, and studies, and sooner or later it's going to burn you out. You don't want to look around at the age of 30 and find that you don't have a social life -- or friends because you abandoned it at a very important stage of life."

"You know this, you know how important human interaction is, you're studying psychology."

My shoulders sagged.

"Well, I guess now I can skip a chapter because of that wonderful lesson you just taught." My father narrowed his eyes at me as I stood.

"I hear you Dad, and I will try my best this summer to manage and maintain my social and work life."

"You sound like a defeated man in his 40s."

"That's exactly what every girl wants to hear." I patted his shoulder before heading upstairs and into my room. I threw myself onto my bed, lying flat out and taking deep breaths.