Reason

Chapter 4

Dinner is just me and my dad, like it's been for ten years, since I was eight. Mom died when I was a little girl. She got sick and couldn't fight it off. After she died, I didn't have a female role model.

Don't get me wrong, dad's great, but he's a little ...... um, clueless.

"So dad, how's Stephanie?" I inquire. Stephanie is dad's girlfriend of three years. She's the nicest woman I know, aside from Ms. Livingston and a few of my other teachers.

His eyes light up like they always do when he talks about Stephanie. "She's doing really well! Australia loves her," he says, and I can hear the happiness in his voice. Stephanie is what I hope to be someday, a professional actress. She's doing a movie with the Olsen girls in Australia right now, and is supposed to be there until January.

"That's good," I say, attacking my third piece of cheese pizza. "Goodness, Megs. I don't know how you can eat so much and still be so slim," dad confesses, watching me. I've been tall and skinny for as long as I can remember. Way back in third grade, I was the third tallest and second slimmest.

I shrug, my mouth too full to speak. We sit in silence for a few minutes, both chewing. "How's your friend? Anthony what's-his-name. The brown-haired one?" Dad inquires. "Goldman, dad. Anthony Goldman. And he's alright. I think," I respond, looking down. "You think ? Has he said something?" Dad frowns, eyebrow raised.

"Well , no. It's what he HASN'T said that worries me. He's become really quiet and withdrawn," I say. "Oh. Has his old man been wailing on him again?" he wonders. "I don't know. Like I said, we don't talk about his home life much. I've tried mentioning it, but he redirects every time," I tell him.

"Hmmm. Megs, I want you to consider what I'm about to offer very carefully," dad starts. I sit up straighter and listen hard. "  think it would be beneficial for Anthony to get out of that environment, come somewhere he's cared for and safe," dad says.

"Yeah, me too. That's pretty obvious. What are you saying?" I ask, confused and trying not to get too hopeful. "I'm saying," he takes a deep breath, "I'm saying that maybe we should consider ..... letting Anthony move in here. With us." My jaw pretty much drops straight to the floor. "That --- That's a great idea! But, what would Stephanie think when she gets back?" I ask, totally floored.

"That's the thing. I told her about his situation, and that was her solution to the problem," he tells me. "So she's fine with it?" I clarify. "Well , as long as he sleeps in the guest room, which we'd do anyway," dad admits. "Oh my god, this is so wonderful! I'll tell him at school tomorrow," I beam.

We finish up dinner at around 10:00 PM (we eat late) , and I ask to be excused. I kiss dad goodnight and head upstairs. Before I go to my room, I poke my head into the guestroom. It seems to be in pretty good shape considering it hasn't been used in a while.

I get to the bedroom, and change into pj's. Then I brush my teeth in my bathroom, comb my hair, braid it, and crawl into bed. I have minor insomnia (my dad claims it's the price us creative types pay for our amazing minds), so I pull out a book to read until I get tired. My blankets pulled up around me, I crack open my novel.