Course Of Action

CHAPTER 11: The List

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T H E   L I S T

PoV: Wilma Morris...|

When I got home I planned on hopping into the shower immediately, wanting to freshen up for the party despite most likely needing to do it again the moment I arrived at Leslie's. Because if it was something I learnt from my first party experience at Wilson's, it was that the sweat was unavoidable.

Coming by the kitchen I found both dad and Alice, and I decided to stop for a moment to say hi and share my plans for the night.

Dad was already preparing for dinner, cutting up some vegetables as Alice sat at the kitchen island on her phone, listening to the endless crunches from between the knife and the wooden board.

"Hi!" I breathed out as I dropped my bag to the floor, relieved to be home. I was finally able to let go of all the tension that had been built up at school. There was no-one to impress nor worry about, and no odd interaction needed to be interpreted. I could be me, and shamelessly so.

"Hi sweetie, how was your day?" Dad was quick to answer, throwing me a glance over his shoulder before turning back to his task.

"It was good, nothing too out of the ordinary." I informed him, coming over to lean against the counter beside him.

"Happy to hear! I assume you're feeling pretty good as well then." He then added, to which I responded with greater spirit.

"Yeah, I'm doing really well actually! I was invited to a an old friend's place later tonight after dinner to hang out. A bit of a new experience...But uhh...I'm really happy they wanted me to join! It has been a while since we last hung out." I said, unable to stop a smile at the idea of reconnecting with old friends and feeling welcomed for once.

Dad stopped chopping the poor carrot under him, and turned to give me his full attention. His joy was visible, his tired eyes gleaming as the corner of his lips turned up into a smile. I could see in his eyes the depth of the emotions he experienced in that moment. How he let my words and night ahead marinate. It didn't happen often, which made it easy to spot when it did. And it always made my heart warm, knowing he experienced the feeling as well.

"That makes me really happy to hear, Wilma. I hope you'll have a lovely time!"

His words made me smile even more, as he turned back to the cutting board.

"She was just invited to some lame pyjama party or something. What's so special about it?" Alice grumbled from her seat, which made dad turn back around with a grave look on his face.

"Why would you be so negative, Alice? You don't need to ruin your sister's fun simply because you wouldn't find it to be of your taste."

He turned back around, shaking his head in disappointment as he resumed his chopping, having been interrupted once again.

"Will Diana come along as well? Like last time." Dad then asked me, and at that point more than one thing began swirling in my mind.

For one, it was clear dad most likely thought the invite was to some cosy get-together with a few people from school just like Alice had implied, and that it wouldn't include either alcohol or rowdy, out-of-control teens. Two, Diana wouldn't be there with me.

Those circumstances would probably not make dad feel as confident about my plans that night, and worse mixed together than on their own. If he knew, that wonderful feeling he had about me "hanging out with friends" would probably get mixed with all kinds of worry. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't some hawk watching over me and prohibiting me from doing what I wanted. I knew that he knew the day would come when I attended parties. But he was a caring parent, and he and I both knew the party scene wasn't my scene. Not entirely at least. He wouldn't want me to go alone, without anyone he knew I could trust and be safe with.