One to Another - quiet, kind & special people

Part 36 - Finn

I make my way home on autopilot. When I walk into the house, I am greeted by dad. Oh God! After seeing Rae this is the last thing I need. Dad. I have some idea what he is going to say to me, but reality he is an hour late, Rae has already done it. I am at my lowest.

As I walk in the front door I am greeted by my dad with five words I hate "Finn, we need to talk."

"Not now dad" I say trying to dismiss him.

"Finn, it isn't a request young man" dad states using my next least favourite term 'young man' which means I am in more trouble than I think possible.

"Dad please?"

"Finn, sorry lad we need to talk. I will no longer put up with how you have been behaving. You are out of control" dad has concern in every word he says.

"Not now dad I have to be somewhere" I try desperately for dad to leave me alone.

"Finn. Sit down!" Dad demands pointing to the kitchen chair. "What the fuck is wrong with you Finn?" he asks.

"Not entirely sure what you mean dad" I try and act like I have no idea what he is talking about.

"Finn, college has rung. You haven't been in 2 weeks. Where the fuck have you been going?" dad yells.

I say nothing.

"You come and go from this house and sometimes I don't see you for a couple of days. You return home, and you are a fucking wreck son. Are you taking drugs?" He asks.

I say nothing.

"You come in and lock yourself in your room. What the fuck is going on?" He demands.

I say nothing.

"Finn your 18 you are not a fucking kid. If you continue like this you will end up with nothing, losing everything you have" he explains in sheer frustration.

"And what exactly would I lose dad? I have nothing" I yell in reply stopping short of telling my dad that I am nothing. I make my way to the kitchen reluctantly. Rather than sitting down I put on the kettle trying to delay the inevitable.

"I am worried about you son, you have been doing some things that I would have to say, aren't you. What is going on?" he asks full of concern.

"I am ok Dad" I try.

"Finn, seriously, I won't take work away at the moment because I have no idea what you might do" dad explains "What is going on? And just so it is clear 'I am ok Dad' is not a valid response. I know there is something going on with you. So tell me."

"I am ok Dad, honest. Or I will be, I am just trying to deal with something that I didn't see coming."

"I want to know what the something is son."

"Dad, I can't..."

"Finn, tell me now!" he exclaims.

I am looking out the kitchen window, unable to look at dad, and I know when dad is like this he isn't going to leave this alone, or take my word that everything is ok. I really don't want to do this, but there is no escape.

"Is it drugs?" he starts to guess "College? Are you in trouble with the law?"

"No. No. No. Seriously dad, I will be ok, I just need a little bit of time" I try again to get him to drop this subject.

"Finn" he throws up his hands in frustration and then his whole facial expression changes, I know in that moment he has figured it out. "It's a girl" he declares. "Is Stacey pregnant? Have you caught something?" he continues trying to piece more of the puzzle together.