Blissfully Yours

SUPPORT GROUP

The words slipped out before I even know it and my father made a choking kind of noise. He reached out for his cup of water. I narrowed my eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes honey er, --" he gulped "just surprised i guess."

I sighed. "Well, you heard me. Support Group, wee." I added flatly.

Dad adjusted his seat and faced me with a serious expression.

"You sure about that, Vic?"

"Of course I am. I've been mulling it over for a month now." I lied.

He raised a quizzical eyebrow as the gears turned inside his head to contemplate. Before he can say anything unnecessary, I quickly opened my mouth.

"What, you think your daughter can't do it, do you?"

That took his attention.

"Oh no Vic!" he added, "I perfectly know that you can do it. It's just that--"

"That what?" I cut him off.

He rested his chin on both hands and slowly took a breath.

"You know that I know, Vic. You can't stand around people that long."

Well, I've got no say to that. He's right.

But I won't let this be the conclusion of our conversation. I want to have the last word so I quickly come up with an excuse.

"Yeah.You're right," suddenly remembering a not-so-happy memory. "but Dad, I'll do this to step out of my comfort zone."

I paused for effect. "and for music."

I know I hit a nerve. Dad's always been ecstatic when it comes to music. His bushy brows creased as he gave it a thought and finally, after about a minute of uncomfortable silence, he nodded.

And something glowed in me.

"Alright." he said

and just when I'm about to do something out of character like jump in glee, he put a hand up.

"but, promise me that you'll see through it till the end." he continued, "you're the one who proposed this, the more reason I don't want to hear you say that you'll give up."

I nodded. "I promise."

XX

"I AM SO GLAD, VIC! I REALLY AM."

I winced.

"Drey, you're screaming. Calm down."

"OMG."

I winced again.

My morning started off with a dull bowl of cereal and a screaming Andrea. I immediately called her the second I got up to deliver the news.

"You're overreacting. I just agreed to try it out, okay? It's not like I'll last, anyway."

"Oh please, you even took an oath to your father."

I can practically hear her grinning. If that's even possible. I sighed at her last retort.

"Ok fine. You win. Just don't tell Dad that I'm still having second thoughts about this." I made my first scoop of cereal.

"Hmm."

"Yoy're teasing me, drey. Stop it"

"Ok!" she answered gleefully. "and that's exactly why you should work your ass off and meet me at the plaza today!"