Simple Glances

Chapter One: Ouch, Dad..

"Sarah, you need money," My dad says, slamming his car keys on the table.

"But dad," I replied.

"No buts, Sarah. You need money.  You're growing up, and you need to learn how to work," Dad's face was red with fury.

"What will I do then?" I'm hoping he wouldn't say what I think he will.

"Get a job." he looks at me like I had just said the dumbest thing in the world.

"I mean,  where will I work?" My dad would probably classify my tone as 'yelling' at this point.

"When i was younger, Aunt Maddie and I worked at restaurants when we needed money,"

"Dad, you can't be serious." I'm not ready for a job. I wanted to give reasons to why I can't, but I know that my dad isn't giving up.

"Most jobs contain human interaction, Sarah," Ouch, Dad. Was there ever a time where he didn't sound like a P.E. teacher?

I was about to start talking when dad put up his finger to wait on what I was about to say.
"Sweetheart, I know it's hard, but you can get through this." Here we go again. Dad trying to be inspirational and making me do stuff when I fall for it.

"You talk to people all the time and you're not constantly dwelling on the fact that they might think you're something awful," i said, crossing my arms.

"Well, I'm sure they won't," My dad replied, walking upstairs to change out of his work clothes.

I heard a knock at our door. I could tell it was a little tune. I knew who it was. I got up to answer the door. I was sick of my dad saying all this crap. He just doesn't understand. I opened the door. It was Mr. Cooper, my mom and dad's best friend when they were kids. He insists I call him Kenny.

"Hi Kenny!" I said, smiling at him.

"What's shaking?" He said, with the usual big grin on his face. He's so much different from my dad. He's like a best friend to you, despite the fact that he's older.

"Ah, nothing. You wanna see my dad?" I say. Kenny and my dad talk a lot. When they laugh together, I see the dad I truly know.

He makes a face. "Nope, I don't wanna see Benny. Just you," Kenny calls my dad Benny. That was the nickname he came up with for Ben.

I nodded. "I just wanna say that some dads suck and yours really does," Kenny said, winking. I knew Kenny was up to something. 

"Kenny, what are you saying?" i laugh, as he walks into my apartment.

"I'm saying that your dad needs to loosen up. He was all cool when he was younger.." I didn't think my dad was ever cool in his life, but I decided I'd believe Kenny. Kenny's an honest person.

"Is this your trick to get me to talk about my dad or something?" I reply, while raising my eyebrows and tapping my foot.

"Darn, you caught me," Kenny pouted and slumped his shoulders.  

"I know a Kenny trick when I see one," I giggle and shut the front door.

He lets out a booming laugh. "What did Benny do this time?"

"He's making me get a job.. as a waitress." I said. I could already feel the anger filling inside me.

"Pfft.. could your dad be any more uptight?" Kenny shakes his head.

"Ken, I'm fine with the job, but It's the whole people thing that scares me," I'm hoping he could understand.

"Haven't you been going to therapy for that?" His voice became softer.

"Yes, well, I used to, but the feelings are still there," My voice cracked. I kept telling myself that i wouldn't cry in front of Kenny, a person who probably didn't know what the heck to do when a female cries in front of him.
"Listen sweetheart, I think your dad is afraid to talk about how you feel, maybe," He shrugged, but I heard sympathy in his voice. "If i'm being honest, he would kill me if he knew I said this.. our little secret?"

"Yeah.. but I'm a little confused.."

"I don't understand what's going on in your dad's mind, Sarah. I just know that he's being more, uh, I don't know.. strange?"

"I thought it was just because he's a dad, though."

"But I'm a cool dad, right?" Kenny whined.

"Of course. As long as you don't call yourself a 'cool dad.'" i chuckle.

He makes an O.K. symbol with his hand. "I'll make that a mental note."

"I gotta go get my homework done. My dad is upstairs if you wanna talk to him."

"Alrighty. I'll talk to you later, kiddo." Kenny ran his hands through his curly dark blonde hair.

"Okay. Thanks kenny." I hug him and he squeezes me tighter.

"No problem at all, sweetie." he smiles and struts into our kitchen. I could hear him joyfully talking to my mom.

I gave an exasperated sigh as I thought about what Kenny said.

|| thanks so much for reading! i hope you enjoyed, and i'll be publishing the next part soon. <3 ||