Moments

Breadcrumbs

EVEN: [perched on the edge of the loveseat under his bed] My father is in town.

ISAK: Really? [looks up from the floor where he has his homework spread out in the table front of him.] Are you going to see him?

EVEN: [nods, distracted by his phone] Yeah. He wants to have a family dinner.

ISAK: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

EVEN: It's...unusual. We only have family dinners when something big is happening. We had one when my parents separated, we had one after the divorce. It was sort of a divorce party.

ISAK: [frowns] Uh, okay. That's...

EVEN: [grins] Yeah, I know.

ISAK: So, what's this one about, do you think?

EVEN: [pursing his lips as he reads something on his phone] I honestly don't know.

ISAK: I, uh...I want to meet your dad, but if this isn't a good time, I'd understand.

EVEN: [looks up, surprised] You do?

ISAK: [rolls his eyes] You sound like me. Of course I do. This is a thing we do, right? Get to know one another's families? I've met your mom-

EVEN: She likes you more than she likes me.

ISAK: [exaggerated eye roll] Duh! Of course she does.

EVEN: [a grin slides from his face] My dad is...there's stuff I haven't told you about my family.

ISAK: [turns all his attention on Even] Something you want to talk about now?

EVEN: [quickly] No.

ISAK: [slight frown] Oh...okay.

EVEN: [also quickly] Soon, though. Promise.

ISAK: [smiles softly] Okay. Whenever you're ready. So...how long will he be in town for?

EVEN: [looking back at his phone] Not sure. But he wants to do dinner tomorrow night. And...he wants you there.

ISAK: [surprised] Me?

EVEN: He asked for you, specifically. So...yeah.

ISAK: Should I be worried?

EVEN: [chuckles nervously] No...no...

ISAK: [eyeing him] Are you sure we shouldn't have that talk about your parents now?

EVEN: [contemplates that for a moment and then nods] I could fill you in a bit.

ISAK: [sets his laptop aside and brings his knees up to his chest, folding his arms around them] Shoot.

EVEN: Right, so...my dad and my mom parted amicably. They decided that they just didn't work together as a couple. It was all very...unemotional. For them. Well, for him.

ISAK: How old were you?

EVEN: Fourteen.

ISAK: And how did you handle it? I mean, with your...um...did it affect you? Differently?

EVEN: [smiles] Yes and no. I handled it okay, but it became difficult to manage my illness. They disagreed on treatment for a while. Years, actually. They fought over it, even before the divorce. And I guess I internalized some of that. Blamed myself.

ISAK: [scooting closer to Even and taking his hand] You have to know it wasn't you.

EVEN: It was, though. At least in part. But I know it wasn't my fault. It wasn't something I had any control over. It still got to me, though. You know?

ISAK: [nods] Sure. I get it.

EVEN: They're good people. Supportive. But they have very different parenting styles. You met mom, she's a nurturer. Caring, loving, if not a little pushy. Dad is a bit more...what's the word? [thinks] Regimented. He likes to lay down the law and he expects you to follow it. If you don't, he is quick to write you off.

ISAK: That sounds harsh.

EVEN: It isn't as bad as it sounds. He means well, he's just got a very militaristic mindset when it comes to duty and order.

ISAK: Is he in the military?

EVEN: He was. Now he works as an engineer. He loves for things to be logical. Orderly. I'm not logical or orderly. I think he believed if they could find the right medicine for me, I would magically be cured. Or if I put my mind to it, if I tried harder, I could "beat this thing."

ISAK: [frowning] It doesn't work that way, even I know that.

EVEN: [squeezes Isak's hand] I know. Anyway, he means well, like I said. He loves me, he does. He just has a very remote control approach.

ISAK: Well, your mom's a bit smothering, so I guess it balances out.

EVEN: [laughs] I suppose it does.

ISAK: [lacing his fingers through Even's] So when is this family get-together?

EVEN: Tomorrow night. 19:00. Will you come?

ISAK: Of course. [leans up and waits for Even to give him a kiss.] Can't wait.

EVEN: You're not nervous?

ISAK: Nervous as fuck.

EVEN: [chuckles as he kisses him again] Aww, don't be.

ISAK: He may hate me.

EVEN: Doubtful.

ISAK: Or think I'm not good enough, which I'm not.

EVEN: [pulling back to meet Isak's eyes] Bullshit.

ISAK: [tapping his chin with his index finger] If only there was some way you could take my mind off of your father potentially banning me from your life.

EVEN: [leaning forward, growling into Isak's neck] I'd like to see him fucking try.