Prom Committee

Leaping Distractions

That night after dinner I decided to help my mother clean up the kitchen and wash the dishes. I was trying to do anything that would give me a long enough distraction to rest my brain for a bit. Ever since a couple of hours ago it has been nonstop running like a train and I was afraid that it was going to combust.

"Hey honey, are you okay? You've been quiet since you got home," my mom asked, handing me a plate to rinse.

"Yeah I'm fine," I lied.

She looked to where my dad was sitting in the living room and then at me, "Are you sure?"

I sighed, "I don't know, no."

"Is it about your boy trouble?"

I nodded and continued rinsing off the dishes she handed me.

"Boy trouble?" my dad repeated, turning his head away from the television towards us.

My mother and I looked at each other wide-eyed hoping that this day would never come. We knew what my dad would say if he found out about two guys being fond of me. In no means were we considering lying to him about it but more so just not discussing it in front of him. I was his only daughter and he was quite protective of me and didn't want me to get hurt.

"Uh, yes," I fretted, staring at the soapy water.

"Do I need to punch anyone's son?" my dad quipped, getting up off the couch.

My mother chuckled, "No dear not as far as I know. Tara?"

"No you don't," I shook my head with a small grin on my face.

"So what kind of trouble?" he questioned, leaning against the island.

I sighed, "I have to make a decision, dad, about what my heart actually wants."

"About a boy?" he furrowed his eyebrows.

I chuckled and corrected him, "Actually boys, as in plural."

"WHAT?!" my dad exclaimed.

"You may want to sit down for this, Daniel," my mother instructed, resting a hand on his shoulder.

He did what he was told and sat down on a stool at the island. My mother sat down next to him whereas I sat across from the both of them. I rubbed my temples with my hands and then began debriefing my father about everything that had happened.

His face had a mixture of emotions that ranged from shock, anger and worry, which he had every right to feel. My dad was definitely feeling a lot more than what my mother did when I told her. She was sitting there listening to this once again while rubbing his back showing him her support.

"And that's where I am currently," I concluded.

"Wow okay," he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "that's a lot to take in."

I nodded, "I know and I promise mom and I weren't trying to keep it from you but we just knew how you would get."

"I know sweetie, I understand. You just have to recognize the fact that I don't want you getting hurt, that's all," he responded.

"Trust me, I'm well aware of that. I have been attempting to be careful and on high alert. I just feel super stuck that's all."

My mom and dad looked at each other and then back at me with soft endearing faces.

"Just listen to your heart honey. It will always lead you on the right path, I promise," mom said.

I grinned, "That's what everyone has been telling me, but my heart isn't speaking to me."