Unexpected Turns

Wise

Dad knocks on the door of my bedroom and opens it slightly popping out his head.

I put down the book I was reading, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I borrowed it from Dick and am almost done with it. It's very good and I recommend it.

"Hey dad, come in," I greet.

He shuts the door and sits at the edge of the bed where I was sitting.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Are you fine?" He replies.

"Yes, why?"

"You haven't eaten breakfast and skipped lunch."

"No," I shook my head, "I had a banana."

"Kid, I'm worried about you. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Um, no. I'm honestly fine," I lie.

"Look, I know when you lie, just tell me the truth and I'll get out of your hair. Trust me letting it out is good," he advises.

"Okay fine," I begin, "Jerry and I had a fight a couple weeks ago, he is being crummy and it's getting me mad. He is so jealous that I have a close relationship with Dick and he believes that I treat him as a boyfriend rather than a friend," I pause, "dad this is awkward talking to you about this."

"No, keep going. It's not at all," he persuades.

"So, I yelled at him and he yelled at me and then I left and went to Dick. He told me that if I listened to him maybe the fighting would stop and he'd listen to me."

"Maybe he's right. You know the man in the relationship doesn't always have to be the one who loosens up and cools down. The women should talk too. It's been weeks since you talked to him, maybe he's miserable and wants to hear from you," he advises, "but I think Jerry is right in some cases. Sometimes it looks like you're leading on Dick, and it seems like you should just be casual with him. No hugs and hang out with Jerry more, it's just the way it should be. But then, Jerry has to realize that if your girlfriend is being friends with a guy, it doesn't mean she's going to run off with him."

"But Dick told me he liked me too."

"Finally," he sighed a relief, "I've been wondering when he would."

"What?! You knew?!"

"It was so obvious, by the way he would look at you, the gifts he would give, the way he would light up when you were around. I think he liked you before you started dating his brother. I still remember when you first met him, his eyes locked onto you first. It's like love at first sight," he says excitedly.

"Gosh, dad, stop it. I don't like Djck, I like Jerry. Sweet and Simple Jerry, understood?"

He nods.

"But the problem is, if I make up with Jerry, what happens if Dick isn't my friend anymore. I don't want to lose him."

"If Dick leaves or stays in the relationship, it would be for your own good."

"What?"

"Think about it," he says, "if he leaves that means he was only there to get you to like him. He never really was your friend. If he stays, then he might like you and think of you as a friend as well. Which is what you want of course."

"Thanks dad," I give him a kiss on the cheek, "you know people change a lot."

"Yup! When you were younger you were more cooled off less edgy like now. I miss that you, to be honest. You would take things head on and whenever there was s problem you faced if by being calm and convincing everyone everything's okay. Now you do things with a lot more wanted control, you're always so nervous and anxious. But I think you'll grow out of it," he kisses my forehead.