Picture Perfect

Chapter Three

Dad comes down the stairs and walks over to us. He sits at the head of the table. To my right. He smiles, but I can tell its forced. "Hey guys. How was your first day?" He asks Danny and me.

"Good." Danny and I answer in sync. That makes dad laugh.

He's always loved it when we do 'twin things' as he calls it. Seeing, and hearing him laugh makes a knot in my stomach. I want to hug him, but then I just want to scream.

"Any favorite classes yet?" He starts cutting into the roast as he speaks. "Calculus. The teacher is hot." Danny says. I role my eyes.
He's always been blunt, even in front of mom and dad.

"Well, I hope you actually learn something in the class son. What about you Riley?" He looks at me.

I just shrug. He puts roast on all of our plates. I don't bother telling him we already ate, so I just sit there.

"Hmm. I thought you always had a favorite class Riles?" He laughed.

I poked the roast with my fork and looked at him. "Just haven't found one yet." He nods and then looks at mom quickly.

"Me and your mother have something we need to tell you." Dad looks at me and Danny.

I look at Danny and he's staring at our hands in his lap. "Riley, Danny... I have to leave. I have some work up in the Middle East, and I'll be gone for awhile." He explains. 

"What?" It came out as a whisper. I look at dad in confusion. "You work at a Plant as a security guard, why would you have to go to the Middle East?" I ask.

"There's another plant up there and they are low on gaurds... look I have to go Riley. And I...I might miss your graduation." I just stare at him in shock.

"You...you what!?" I yell. Not on purpose, but I can't take it anymore. "Riley." Danny whispers in my ear.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart, I have to go...if I don't I'll loose my job." He says, his eyes full of sorrow. I just shake my head.

Danny squeezed my hand. I can't stop the tear that rolls down my cheek. Me and dad have always been close. He taught me how to tie knots, and how to hot wire an engine. 

Other than Danny, he was my best friend.

"So you'd miss your only daughters graduation!? What about Danny!? It's his graduation too!" I exclaim.

"Riley-" "No!" I whispered, cutting dad off. "I'm going to bed. I don't want to talk anymore." I stand and Danny follows suit.

"Riley! Honey please!" I climb the stairs and ignore my Fathers pleas.

I walk in my room and Danny comes in after me closing the door behind him.

I walk over to my closet and pull out a pair of my shorts and a light, cream colored sweater.

"What are you doing?" Danny asks.

"I'm going to a party." I say in a 'duh' tone. "Riles come on. You can't go like this." He says, referring to my emotions. But I ignore him and walk into my bathroom.

I change and then walk back into my room. I throw the clothes in my hand in my hamper. I brush my hair, then add light makeup, I spray some perfume, and then put on deoterent.

All doing this quite quickly I thought I looked pretty good. I finally turn to Danny and then frown when I find him giving me his look.

"Riley, I know I'm not the smartest of the two of us, but I'm still your brother. So please... will you just listen to me? You go out there, you'll be drunk in no time! Just stay. Please." He begged.