Destined

Thirty One

Evelyn

Dear diary,
Right now there are uncontrollable silenced tears running down my face. I don't think there's much of a reason for it but, what's new really? It feels weird to be writing in this when it's not two am but I have to get this out. I found Alexander in my room after struggling to be nice to him the past few days and I allowed him to leave without pushing me even harder to get my confused ass feelings out. He drove drunk on the weekend and that struck a chord within me. I internally freaked out and I treated him poorly because he could've gotten hurt and he didn't even care. I could've lost him and he didn't think twice about it. Imagine my parents if they got that call. Thinking about it makes my tears worsen so I can hardly see right now - fantastic. Our relationship is finally starting to shift and he gives no fucks about if he lives or dies, it was all about the alcohol. I thought maybe with him taking care of me and seeming like he cared would've made him think a little more but I guess not. But then again, why would it? It's not like we're dating, it's not like we're in love, it's not like I'm anything besides his friend's kid. Why would it matter. Why would being safe matter, who needs safety when we can all just throw caution to the wind and drive under the influence and have all the people that care about you worry. I wish I cared less but what can I say, my feelings are evolving and I think I may just like him a little more than I'd like to admit and more than I ever thought I would. I have no idea what I'm going to do about it and that's the frightening part but maybe it'll go away, after all it is just a crush.
xx Evelyn

It's Friday today and I haven't spoken to Lia in a few days after she told me she read my journal. How she managed to do that, I'm unsure but all I know is that is something I never would've done to her and I can't seem to fathom what could've possibly possessed her to do that to me. What did I do? Personally, I wish I cared more about her telling me Alexander would never feel the same way but the thing about what I wrote regarding him was all before I even processed this stupid little crush; so those feelings weren't even me wishing for something more, it was me expressing anything I could and how he had my soul feeling in those particular moments. I want to be thinking of anything else in this exact second too because I'm sitting in the passenger seat of Alexander's car and ignoring everything that's coming out of his mouth. Not on purpose, of course. I just can't get out of my head and nothing he's said the past ten minutes has been able to yank me out. My hair stops blowing in the speed created wind when we come to a red light. He pulls out a cigarette from a pack he has hidden in the centre console, placing it between his lips while he finds the lighter and lights up the cancer stick.
"You need to quit smoking, it's such a nasty habit." I say without thinking. The smell is absolutely horrendous, especially since there's no active wind without the green light.
Alexander takes a drag, hanging his cigarette hand out the window. "I thought you didn't care about whether I smoke or not." The light turns green and I don't think I've ever been more thankful for the breeze.
"Well I didn't until it came to my attention that no one likes kissing an ashtray." He sets the cigarette between his lips so he can use both hands to switch lanes.
"Kissing?" A quick puff, taking it from his mouth again. "Now why in the world would you have to worry about that?" My eyes widen, just realizing the words that fled out of my mouth. He smirks, left eyebrow lifting when he glances my way.
"I didn't say that." I attempt to correct my slip up.
"No, I think that's exactly what you said. Evelyn, is there something you'd like to tell me?"
"I just mean, other women. No one enjoys kissing an ashtray and that's all they'll be doing if you don't quit." He chuckles lowly, an intoxicating sound.
"You know I hardly smoke and that is most definitely not who you were talking about." I thought maybe I was in the clear but I guess not...
"How would you know." I press.
"Because I know you."
"Lies." It's like I think saying anything can help me now but it very well may be too late. God, my tombstone will end up saying 'Died via utter embarrassment and stupidity, no need to mourn.'
"I know your late night thoughts, I know you. I know things that maybe you wish I didn't but the things I'm not entirely sure about, I have a pretty good inkling," he pauses for a drag, "and so, what I think you meant is that you don't like kissing ashtrays so you wouldn't like kissing me unless I quit." The smoke falls out of his lips the way haunted houses present their smoke machines to run along the floor.
"My late night thoughts? Seriously? In what world would you know any of those."
"I've seen it all. If you need a reminder of the night I came home wasted, I will gladly give that to you." I can't have him reminding me of that, it'll be too hard to not touch his lips against mine. It was sheer amazement and strength that I didn't when it was really happening because I wanted it so badly but if I'm given a replay, I won't be able to last.
"Alexander, I don't need you to remind me of anything." I tell him truthfully in an octave lower than usual.
"I would gladly do so," he repeats much quieter this time as if he attempted a whisper but obviously failed.
My hands play with my seatbelt, unsure if I should say more. "You want to, don't you," I question against my better judgement.
"I don't know what you mean." His denial is rough, there's no way he can run from it now after deciding to say it twice.
"You still want to kiss me after all this time and sobriety."
"Says you."
"Exactly. I would know." More than he realizes.
"Except, you're a romantic kind of girl and that's not really in me anymore." So he has thought about it, how many times I wonder.
"I don't believe that. The right moment can do wonders."
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Maybe, maybe not. You and I will never know though."
When the evening appeared, I found the day dragged on and exhaustion fell over me. Dinner was quiet with looks passed around the table but the only looks that mattered were the ones I could feel burn into my flesh by Alexander sitting across from me. It's like he knew he was running a mile a minute inside my head, circling every other thought that even tried to take over in their spot so they were trapped. I'm trapped. Under his watchful eye and the constant reminder of who he is and how we are. After todays brief conversation in the car, I did what I could to keep a distance but it wasn't as helpful as I hoped it would be. I stayed in my room and went out to the backyard, doing whatever I could to take my mind off of him but it's like he's poisoned me with a terrible love potion. However, if it was an actual love potion I would much prefer to be less aware to the point where all I feel is happiness and believe that he is the world so I need not worry about anything else in this big bad world because he would protect me at all costs. But that's not real. That's not what's happening here and he has no clue, no one does but me. Not even Lia because those weren't 'crush' thoughts. She's my best friend and I can't even talk to her about this, she's already stated her feelings on the situation. Which is weird, how can someone go from rooting for it and insinuating it when you hate each other but when feelings actually begin changing it's not okay and needs to be stopped immediately? How does that work? That's not fair on any level, there's no reason for the standards to have switched.
Dad's sitting alone in the living room an hour after dinner. I stand in the archway while I watch him read this mornings paper. He doesn't notice me and that almost has me turning for the stairs instead of interrupting his peace and quiet.
"Daddy?" I call, voice unintentionally cracking. His head turns my way, a content grin forming on his lips. He hums closing the paper and setting it on the table beside him.
"Yes, Pumpkin?" I fidget with my sweaters sleeves, not moving my feet until he adjusts himself on the couch and waves me over to join him. Immediately, I'm cuddled into his side, staring blankly ahead. His hands find different duties, both pulling my legs to rest over his knees before his ones falls around my shoulders and the other stays on my farthest knee, keeping my legs in their spot. "Darling girl," dad says to the top of my head, lips pressing a kiss to my hair. "What's on your mind?"
"When did you know you were in love with mom?" I ask, attempting to look up at him but like I said, it was an attempt and my head didn't lift very far.
"My sweet Jolene. Why do you-"
"Please," I beg.
"I didn't love her at first, it took some time but when it did I had wished it happened sooner. She is truly the best thing that's ever happened to me because we got you out of it all. We had known each other for many years before I asked her out. Your mother was the most thoughtful and kind hearted person I had ever met, she was always there  when I needed it. When I was sick she made me soup and tea after she had ridden her bike all the way across town to get to me. She helped me in school and figure things out at home and with Alex. She was the mediator but we never minded. One day mom and I stopped at a park in the middle of a walk, we sat on the swings, grass under our feet and I looked over at her when she pulled her ponytail from her wrist and closed her eyes to put her hair up. The sun was shining so perfectly on her as if I was dreaming and it clicked. She was everything to me, and I had seen enough romantic movies because of her to know that moment and I probably would've figured it out but those movies really helped define that moment where everything stops and all I could see was her. We were fourteen, but I just knew that she was the one I was meant to spend my life with. I had never loved anything or anyone so intensely in the way I love your mother until she had you."
I want to speak but no words are right to express how every bit of me feels from what he said. So I pull away from him to get a better look at his face. He's happy and I couldn't ask for anything more than to see him in pure bliss. The perfect couple. The perfect couple I have spent my whole life trying to not look at as a competition but how does one grow up with perfect parents and not feel like they need to be in love with their soulmate at fourteen. He's looking past me and when I follow his gaze, my eyes are met with my mother - of course. I stand from my spot on the couch and excuse myself from the room with a quick goodnight.
In the morning, my eyes open slowly at the feeling of my body being shaken lightly (much better than stirred, if I do say so myself) to the sunlight blasting in my vision. I groan, shutting my eyes tight giving them a moment to be prepared before I open them completely. What time is it? God, I did not get enough sleep. My eyes find my mom who is standing over me, waiting patiently for me to come to. She's dressed as prim and proper as she always is with her hair done so perfectly that it's set in place and shouldn't move unless there's an awful windstorm taking place outside. I sit up, my covers falling to my lap while I quickly look around - she's moved something and my door is wide open - before allowing my eyes to settle on the alarm clock by my bed. It's nine-fourteen on a Saturday. I should very well be asleep right now, this is unacceptable.
"Good morning, sweetheart. Bonnie and Wayne will be coming over in two hours, it's time to get up and get ready, come downstairs when you're done." She nods once she's completed her mission and heads for the door.
"Please close the door all the way," I request. Mom looks back at me whilst in the process of shutting the door, nods then proceeds to do the one thing that never makes sense and irks all teenagers to no end - she leaves the door open a sliver. I groan with more of a throaty whine than previously as I fall back into my pillows. Why? It's seriously not that hard to close a door until you can hear the beautiful click. Alas, I remove myself from my comfy, comfy bed and begin to ready myself for the day in which could be quite fruitful if I let it be. After giving into the thought of a nice warm shower and doing everything else needed in the bathroom, I head back into my room to dress myself into what could only be a cute little outfit.
When I enter the kitchen, I'm welcomed by dad standing by the sink. "Good morning daddy, how did you sleep?" I ask, greeting him with a kiss to his cheek while grabbing myself my pills and a glass of water.
"Morning, I slept well how about yourself?"
"Oh, you know... not terrible but not fabulously either," I shrug, watching the water fill the glass half way and shutting off the tap. Dad looks at me knowingly. It's the look my mom usually gives me when I'm not doing so hot or sleeping properly, it's quite exhausting if I'm being honest. They know I'm not doing well, I know I'm not doing well, we all know, so lets not make a big deal out of it by shooting looks. I know dad doesn't mean any harm by it is the thing, I just wish he had given me any other look on the face of the planet; that'd be so much easier. I know I would for sure feel one hundred times better without it.
I take place near the entrance of the kitchen when Alexander comes waltzing in, filling the room with his 'good mornings' along with a god awful stench. "You reek," I inform him as if he wasn't already aware while he continues to step closer my way. The less space between us, the more my face scrunches at him and I do everything I can to internally block off the air flow to my nose but my nose doesn't want to obey my extraordinarily simple task.
"I was just out for a run," there's a foot between us so there's no hiding me taking a good look at his attire and lingering a second too long on his broad yet sweaty shoulders and chest. "Sorry we all can't be as clean and well scented as you are after clearly having showered and dousing yourself in perfume." Did he just give me a backhanded compliment? I only did two light spritz's and - wait, does that mean he thinks I smell nice, does he like my perfume? Shit okay, I'm not mad about it.
"You insult me."
"How so," he counters, a smirk beginning to show so only I can see it. Look past the smirk and his perfect lips and think. For gods sake think!
"By reeking up my kitchen. Go wash yourself then you can come back and join us when you feel ready."
"Evelyn," daddy warns me. I raise my hands in front of me, surrendering in apology. Alexander playfully rolls his eyes at me with a low chuckle rumbling in his throat. He wants me dead, it's official.
"All right, I'm heading off for a shower," he says setting his water bottle on the island counter and turning on his heels to leave the room.
"Why do you have to give Alex such a hard time?" Mom asks, grabbing a cloth and spray from under the sink, walking over to the dining table.
"'Cause it's fun and he does the exact same thing to me. He shouldn't dish it out if he can't take it in return." I swish his water bottle, wondering if there was any left which to my surprise there was. I loosen the cap, bringing the bottle to my lips and downing the remainder.
"I thought you two were doing better," dad mumbles - he really should speak up... okay, I've been spending too much time around Alexander. "Everything was going well, all this back and forth is going to give me whiplash." Putting the bottle back together, I am trying to figure out why I had the impulse to finish off his water but I can't figure out even the most stupid of possibilities so I set the bottle on the counter and hope to forget it even happened. Lets be real though, that ain't going to be happening any time soon, I'll be stressing over it for the rest of my life. Eight years down the road I'll be in bed tucked in all nice and cozy, my eyes will be closed and my mind will just be like 'hey remember that time when-' and I'll forever be haunted.
"Well you know, he's been difficult, I've been difficult. It's a give and take relationship really."
"Heard he took your phone the other day, did you learn your lesson?" Mom asks me as she begins to wipe down the table.
"He did, I did and I got my phone back in the process so that's a plus." I don't want them to know he gave it back without any real change, I don't know what that would cause or him and I don't need any more attention on the subject.
"Good," my parents say in unison, freaking me out a tad bit.
The doorbell rings about a half an hour later, just in time because mom and I had just finished setting snacks and fruit on the table. Mom and dad opened the door together while I got out glasses in case anyone got thirsty and didn't forget to put Alexander's water bottle in the sink. By the time everyone has grabbed refreshments and their optional snacks, my parents lead them out to the backyard. Mom wanted to show Bonnie the small garden in the corner of the yard that she decided to take up and she's way too proud of it. Dad talks to Wayne about stocks as if they both invested in something which I know for a fact dad hasn't done. But when we all sit down, we get comfortable with each other quickly, letting all the small talk wash over us.
"Evelyn, have you made any decisions on where you're wanting to go for university yet? It's never too soon to start looking." Bonnie questions, being her beautifully kind self.
"Oh no, I haven't looked into it much. I should probably get on that though if I am wanting to get into somewhere fairly decent." My eyes get drawn to movement at the open doors, Alexander looking much fresher than before is still putting his watch on his wrist and not paying attention to anything or anyone else until it clicks together. Bonnie turns her head to see what my eyes couldn't rip themselves off of when he's coming around the group, analyzing where he was going to sit since there were no open spots left. He stops when he catches Bonnie's eye to which she is surely intrigued by the familiar face. Her hand extends to him and hums happily when he takes it, cupping it between both his hands.
"Ah, I remember you," she tells him, assuring him she could never forget and I swear I saw his head inflate. It's lovely that she doesn't go into more detail of that day, it was hard enough then but I think it really helped Alexander and I get to where we are now. Even if I don't now where exactly that is.
"As do I," and that's when I see his kind eyes reflecting his smile, soft. I have only seen that expression on him a handful of times, it's one I could never allow myself to let escape my memory. "I'm so very sorry that we were never properly introduced last time we saw each other. I'm Alex and it is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you, Evelyn speaks highly of you."
"Bonnie," her free hand goes to her chest, letting him know of her name before finding its way to Wayne's arm, "this is my husband Wayne. And as far as I'm concerned, this is the perfect time to officially meet you Alex. Evelyn has been a blessing in my life."
Their hands release each other's as Alexander laughs, "she sure is a firecracker, that one." To which Bonnie hastily agrees.
I could feel my face change when they started talking but I'm sure it's shifted into many different emotions, I'm so unsure at what's happening before my eyes. This interaction is so different, everyone else of importance to the family he's simply shrugged off as if they didn't matter but this... something about this is new. Why is he so willing to be more open to Bonnie and Wayne than everyone else, what's different about them? He told her I speak highly of her, and I do but, could that be why he's giving two shits about how he presents himself? No, that would be crazy, that couldn't possibly be the reason.
Alexander stands in front of me, using his finger to tell me to stand and I oblige all too quickly. Before I know it the rat bastard takes my spot and when I go to look down at him his hands grab my waist, shifting my stance and pulling me down delicately onto his lap to where I'm sideways and am able to see everyone including dad who is wearing his confusion and uncertainty blatantly. A small "oh goodness" escapes my lips as my hands rests on my lap, stealing glances at Alexander every now and again while I sat quiet hearing all the voices around me in our friendly circle. Alexander is watching me, his eyes patient when they meet mine.
"Did you put my water bottle in the sink?" I nod in response to his whisper. "I wasn't finished but it was empty," he tells me as if I don't already know, I can feel the embarrassment rising to my face.
"Yeah, I drank the rest." I say as laidback and natural as I could without showing how kooky I knew it was. His eyebrows fall as fast as they had lifted.
"You drank the..." I nod again, humming with pursed lips, my eyes looking at the ground rather than him, "oh, uh okay, that's fine too." While the information is processing in his brain, his hands move around me. His left on my hip farthest from him while the other takes its time brushing over the open skin right above my knees until his hand lays flat against my lower thigh, fingers following the curve of my leg and ceasing to move when they've wrapped themselves firmly between the back of my thigh and the front of his. His fingers press into my leg without much force but find a way to make sure they stay steady so I don't go anywhere. As if I'd seriously get up off of the lap in which belongs to the man I'm totally crushing on, yeah okay.
However, I'm too captivated by his hands holding me - specifically the one on my leg - that I don't hear Bonnie talking to me until Alexander pulls me out of my daze and lets me in on what's going on. "I'm sorry, what was it you were saying Bonnie?"
Her laughter fills the air, finding my ears and bringing a feeling of peace and home to my heart. "Why, that's quite all right, my dear. Do you still have yourself that boyfriend, I never see him around anymore." She asks me, immediately sparking everyone's interest. Dad's head snaps to my mother, her eyes fall with a heavy exhale releasing from her lungs, and Alexander - oh, Alexander... the man needs to find some chill. His body tenses up, fingers digging in the back of my thigh a tad bit rougher than previously, indicating his hatred and annoyance as well by the rolling he does with his eyes. If I didn't know any better, I'd joke and say he must be jealous but sadly
I know much better and am incredibly sure it's impossible.
It takes everything in me not to cackle at the reactions (mostly at Alexander's because even though we've spoken about his feelings for Daniel numerous amounts of time, it's less irritating now and has become somewhat humorous). "No, actually. That relationship ended a while back but the more time that passes, the happier I am about that decision. He and I weren't right for each other in that way, we're much better off as friends."
"So you're not seeing anybody?"
"Oh, no." Alexander's grip eases, shoulders relaxing. "That's okay though, gives me time to connect and find not only myself and who I am outside of my last relationship which is something I definitely need. And this way I get to find someone who I like inside and out and who likes me for me." My head almost turns to Alexander but I stop before I completely give away where I stand.
"Well, you know what, that's much better than going out and dating every guy around so I like your plan." Wayne truly speaks for the first time since Alexander came in the backyard. Mom stifles a laugh, bringing a smile to my lips, grabbing dad's hand.
"Actually, I just remembered," Bonnie pauses, grinning at Wayne before settling her eyes on Alexander and I. "There's something I was meaning to talk to Andrew and Jolene about, would you two mind giving us four a minute?" Alexander retracts his hand when my fingers fall on his arm, helping me off his lap then standing himself.
By the time his footsteps are heard behind me I'm almost halfway across the lawn but somehow when I stop moving forward and turn on my toes, I collide with his chest. He grabs hold of my upper arms, keeping me from falling backwards to the ground until he can tell I've found my footing. I suppose I underestimated the pace and stride of his steps. I nod at him, letting him know I'm good to go but am left intrigued when instead of releasing me, his hands slide down my arms while his eyes are stuck on mine. His fingers brush over my skin once more after finding my wrists and hands. My breath falls short as he stares into my soul and plays with my hands and fingers, making them feel useful and appreciated by the small contact. My heart is beating awfully hard in my chest that at any moment I could have the world's largest heart attack but I wouldn't care because he's the one who caused it. I need to say something before I jump him because these little touches and looks are getting to me.
"You know, you're being remarkably touchy in front of the parents today for someone who doesn't want them to suspect anything that isn't happening." He shushes me even though I'm sure I couldn't have been any quieter unless he wants me to transform into a mouse. "My point exactly." But he shakes his head at me as if I'm wrong. "You could've also warned me you were right there, that way I wouldn't have bumped into you like that."
"I don't mind."
"You're acting weird." I want anything but to move away from him but I can't take it anymore when his tongue makes it's appearance to dampen his lips and my eyes so obviously betray me by flickering down to the scene. So I do what any sane person would do and begin to walk backwards, our hands becoming further from each other's. What I didn't anticipate (although I really should've) was his footsteps following the pattern of mine, in as many circles or curves they went. He never turned his eye from mine.
"You know, you've grown up," he went on before I can make a smart ass comment, "gorgeous." The word makes my feet stop but his don't until I stick my hand up and his toned torso runs into my palm. My neck reaches forward with a sideways tilt and turn of my head so my ear is somewhat facing him. My eyebrows arch as my jaw slightly drops, parting my lips.
"I what now?"
"You heard me." I point at him, finger pressing on his chest, and scrunch my brows bringing them back down to level.
"Did you just call me gorgeous because that would really ruin this whole argumentative slight getting along thing we have going on."
"Then I guess it's ruined; it's about time anyways." Considering what he said when he gave me my phone back I get it, but this is different than getting along, this is - god I don't know what this is but if he thinks this is how he wants to get along I most likely will end up breaking every space between us ever besides around my parents and will kiss his stupid handsome face. Guaranteed.
"I do not accept this," I declare but he only shrugs so there goes any hope I have out the window. I bring my arms to cross my chest to make my feelings stand.
"Sucks."
"I'm not going to stop fighting with you," I remind him. There are so many ways in which I can do it too without it crossing the line we agreed upon.
"I know, that's who you are." Bitch, let me tell you what, it is not. "I love that about you, you're strong - a little stubborn but if you weren't I'd be questioning if your parents are who they say they are." Oh...  I didn't think he loved anything about me, liked maybe but loved? I'm searching every strand of grass for an answer but there's nothing. I'm sure he can tell since he reaches for my hand that's in the middle of falling to my side from it's prior place over my chest. "Hey," I meet his gaze, "do you mean it when you say you and Daniel are better off as friends?"
"Of course, but even then I don't know how close we'll ever be again."
I watch him nod and glance at our hands before settling to how it was. "He's out of the picture then."
"Yes he is." I wish I knew why he cared so much, he's probably just happy because in theory that means that he won't have to put up with seeing Daniel's face unless it's when he's picking me up from school. The expression on his face reads relief and his exhale confirms it.
"I-"
"I know, you don't like him but remember, you don't want to waste your breath on him." I look back at the four adults sitting together, my back now facing them and all I see is Bonnie and Wayne watching us while my parents laugh to each other, locking their lips briefly. "I need to go get a drink." I step away from him and find myself working my way past the adults, sending a smile their way.
It feels like I can sort of breathe for a minute when walking through the French double doors. I go to grab another glass, filling it with water and head over to the dinner table to look at my options for picking and prodding. Lets see, we've got: apple slices with cinnamon and sugar, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, and orange slices. Meat and cheese and crackers just in case. Do I want any of this or should I just wait until later so I can make a platter for myself then hide in my room? Hm, I think the second option is better.
And that's when I hear it: "do you see the way his eyes shine for her?" Bonnie asks.
"I don't understand what you mean, Bonnie," my mom responds.
"Yes, what are you getting at?" Dad adds.
I lean my back against the wall beside the door, listening carefully. "Alex, he's gentle with her, soft eyes that shine brighter than the moon. As if Evelyn is the stars. He's entirely smitten with her." Bonnie explains further. Smitten? I can feel my pulse in my fingertips, hear the pounding in my ears, my heart is literally about to race itself straight out of my chest. There's no way it's true.
Wayne continues, "he looks at her the way I have looked at my dear Bonnie since the day I met her and I love her more than life itself." It's entirely impossible. God, my heart needs to slow down or I may pass out. Am I being dramatic? I mean, maybe - no, my goodness, where has my stomach gone? I don't remember getting on a roller coaster with a ginormous drop.
"I don't know what you think you're seeing Bonnie, and I mean no disrespect but Alex doesn't know how to love. He is not smitten with my daughter. That wouldn't be right." Dad objects to any possibility that he could feel for me an inch of what I feel for him. I wish I knew but maybe it's better I don't, especially with this. He's right though, she's probably just imagining it no matter how badly I pray she isn't.
"Wrong or right, love is love. Now, I understand why you wouldn't want it to be real but Andrew, my boy, what's between them is pure and that could never be wrong." Wayne states. I could vomit.
"Hey dad?" I call from my spot. Not knowing how I look is a major disadvantage because if there's panic anywhere on my face they'll know I heard and if I see Alexander, well I don't know if I'm being honest with myself. When he answers, I continue. "I'm not feeling too well so I think I'm going to lie down for a while." The millisecond I hear an 'okay', I bolt through the kitchen and to the stairs. Maybe lying down will help this pass and if not then I guess I'll just suffer through dad being skeptical. There's no getting around it, after anyone brings something up to dad that he doesn't overall love the idea of he gets wacky for a bit until it blows over. I just hope this doesn't last forever since his best friend is being accused of whatever Bonnie was saying and whatever it was, I would be better to forget.