Let Me Explain

T W O

"SHE was sixteen having to take a plea deal so that she could avoid a long time in prison."

My dad was talking to me about an old case he had argued for a teenage girl fifteen years ago, back in 2006.

It was his very first case he had when he became a lawyer at twenty five.

He had always used this story as a tactic to scare and influence me not to drink and drive.

Obviously I would never do it, and that was partly being how illicit it was, and partly because I would never want to throw my life away like that.

"I'll always feel bad for her." I ate a strawberry bagel. It was a simple bagel with cream cheese on top along with cut strawberries.

It was also the worst breakfast I had this week.

I started to think my mom was on a health journey because her metabolism slowed with age, but I had also assumed that she would lighten up over time.

Of course I was fucking wrong.

I had never had regular food for the past year if I wasn't buying it myself.

"I felt bad at the fact that she was young. I don't feel bad that she committed a hit and run because she was drunk." He looked down at his watch, checking the time. "She only had her license suspended until she was twenty one. I wonder how she's doing now."

"Hopefully making better choices." I turned my phone over, looking at the time too. It was only 7:30 but I had to be at school by 7:40.

"Some people don't get a chance to make better choices." He empathized with the young girl, nodding his head slowly. "Don't ever drink and drive."

I slid off the barstool, walking toward the sink to drop my plate in. "Reminds me a lot of my cousins."

My dad furrowed his brows at that, turning slightly to meet my gaze. "Who?"

I had forgot I was talking to my dad for a moment. He acted so much like my friend sometimes that I actually thought he was.

"Oh, the ones from Beverly." I lied.

He shook his head at that. "They have so much money that they're so secure in life. A prison sentence isn't written in their books."

A light smiled touched my lips as I agreed with him. Stepping away from the kitchen, I walked out while heading over to the front door where my half empty backpack rested. "It's 7:35 now. I should probably head out."

"Me too. I don't want to be late," My dad checked his watch on his left wrist before walking over. "I love you, dork."

"Love you, nerd," I leaned into his hold, allowing him to kiss the top of my head as I lifted my backpack up, placing it over my right shoulder.

He walked back through the house, heading to his office to gather the rest of his work stuff. I opened the door and stepped outside, closing it afterwards.

The drive to school wasn't long, but that entirely depended on whether or not I would take the long way in order to avoid going to school.

I was just thankful that I had the rest of junior year and senior year to go.

***

I knew August was a hot month, but California had a different meaning of hot.

I walked outside, heading for one of the lunch tables that were outside. The sun was bright already and the air was hella humid.