Being True

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Jake

       "Dad, come on, I need my phone," I said.

       "No one needs their phone," Dad said. "I didn't get my first cell phone until I was twenty. You're only eighteen."

       "Yeah, and eighteen is a legal adult," I said. "I can vote, so why can't I have my cell phone back?"

       Dad narrowed his eyes at me. "I know your true intentions. You just want your cell phone so you can text him."

       "His name is Taylor, and I don't even have his number," I said. "Flynn tried getting a hold of me and I couldn't answer because you took my phone away. You're overreacting."

       "No, I'm under-reacting," Dad said. 

       I sighed as the door opened, and Mike walked inside. "Mike, I really need you're help," I said.

       "Not now," Mike said. "I'm exhausted from work. There's this one car that came to the garage that seemed impossible to fix, and I kept telling the owner it would be best to buy a new car and his insurance would pay for it, but he wouldn't listen."

       "Please?" I asked. "I just need someone to tell Dad that he's overreacting."

       "Dad, why would Jake think you're overreacting?" Mike asked.

       Dad shrugged. "Beats me."

       "He took my cell phone away and he's refusing to give it back," I said.

       "Uh, that's because your mother and I have told you children many times not to keep secrets from us," Dad said. 

       "Dad, I don't see what the big deal is," I said. "You weren't going to react positively if I told you four years ago."

       "I still would have liked to know four years ago instead of walking in on you and Logan talking about it," Dad said. "I'm not giving you your phone because all you're going to do is talk to this Taylor."

       "Ooh, who's that?" Mike asked. "Is she your girlfriend? Is that why Dad's overreacting, because it makes sense."

       "Taylor isn't Jake's girlfriend," Dad said, crossing his arms over his chest. "He's a twenty-three year old who has a kid, and who Jake is crushing on."

       "Wait, what?" Mike asked.

       I ignored Mike. "Dad, I told you, I don't have his number, so I don't see how I can text him."

       "Again, what?" Mike asked. "Jake, you....are you....?"

       "No, he isn't gay," Dad said. "He's pansexual, whatever that is."

       "I told you what that is," I said. "I can like anyone regardless of their gender or gender identity because that's just who I am. I don't see what the big deal is."

       "The big deal is that you never told me," Dad said.

       "Because you would have freaked out," I said. "You gave Logan this huge lecture when he started dating Infinity, so I knew I was going to get an even bigger one if I told you I'm pansexual, and I like someone five years older than me. Dad, can I please have my cell phone back before I have to leave for school?"

       "No."

       "Dad, you really are overreacting," Mike said. "Jake is eighteen. If he likes a guy, then he likes a guy. Although, it is a bit shocking to me that he likes one."