one summer at the lake house | #Wattys2016 #tbpa2016

VI. him

h i s s a t u r d a y;

I didn't want to be nervous about tonight. As far as anyone was concerned it was a casual dinner between family friends. I had always thought the only people who introduced their parents to one another were couples who were engaged. Well Logan and I were definitely not engaged and our families had definitely met before, even before I had spoken to Logan for the first time. Telling myself it was casual was the only way I could keep myself from overthinking everything.

When I told Mom about the dinner she nearly fainted from excitement. I tried telling her it was no big deal and that I was actually shocked this was the first time we were doing this. Dad on the other had mixed feelings. His positive attitude had dwindled over the course of the trip. This was normal for him let alone all of us. Returning to the reality of our ever busy lives was everyone's least favorite part, it was the only time during the year we could all actually relax together.

This morning I found him out on the patio, staring out at the lake. I pulled a chair up to sit beside him. "You alright dad?" I asked him, following his gaze to the lake.

He made a nonchalant grunt as he slowly turned his attention to me. "Sorry Edison, what did you say?" He questioned, he clearly hadn't even realized I had taken a seat beside him.

"I asked if you were okay? You've been quiet. Something on your mind?"

He nodded and turned back to the lake. He reached up and ran a hand through his graying hair, adjusting his glasses to rest comfortable on the bridge of his nose. "We leave tomorrow."

   I uncomfortably shifted in my seat, I didn't want to think about the inevitable. "We'll be back next year," I told him, reaching over and giving his shoulder a light squeeze. A sad smile ghosted my face as I continued, "Plus it's summer break. I'll be home for another two months."

   He chuckled to himself finally turning to look at me. His obvious sadness was in his gaze as he spoke, "You're right kiddo. You ready for dinner tonight?"

   I nodded, chuckling nervously. I rubbed the back of my neck as I leaned back in my seat. "I've been trying not to think about it" –I shrugged my shoulders– "it's just dinner, nothing more."

   Dad raised his eyebrows playfully. "Yea okay," he laughed his mind momentarily taken away from the thought of us leaving. I preferred seeing Dad happy, it suited him. With the circumstances most people would think of Dad and assume he probably hated his day to day life but he was actually quite the happy man. He never let his disability get him down, he couldn't afford to. Dad was the foundation of our family, the reason we were so well together.

   "Whatever. You're the best Dad," I said abruptly. I stood reaching over to tussle his hair.

   He laughed as he swatted playfully at my hand. Though I was no social butterfly and making friends was something I was nearly incapable of I was never bothered. I had the two best friends I could ask for. I knew it was odd that I was so content with my parents being my confidants but I didn't care. No one knew me better and there was only one other person I was willing to let in at this point. To let be apart of my small world and hopefully, with her help, I could branch outside of it.

   I had been trying my best to be open to all that Logan had to offer. To do and say things that I would've otherwise never experienced. I wanted her to guide me into becoming a better version of myself.