Noah & Navid

Chapter 11- Palm Springs

We headed out Friday when my dad came home from work. Navid drove and my dad sat next to him with me in the back holding my pillow. 

Navid kept watching me in the mirror as he and my dad talked for two hours about sports, the economy, politics. It was nice to see my dad bonding with him. Navid even played the 90's music my dad loves. He was going all out to make a good impression and keep things friendly.

I'd never been in the back of his car. There were candy wrappers, a few of his soccer jerseys that smelled dirty, and lots of papers. He isn't the neatest of guys, and I found more than one cheerio in the floormats. I eventually just laid against the window and fell asleep on my pillow.

"Noah, my love." I felt Navid's lips against mine as his hand slid up my chest. "Noah, we are arrived."

I yawned and stretched, but didn't see my dad which explained why Navid kissed me so freely. 

I heard dad behind us, digging through his bag in the trunk. Navid offered his hand and pulled me out of the backseat. My dad handed me my bag, but Navid took it and then got his own.

Navid went to check us in while Dad and I sat down on big couches in the center of a large, marble atrium.

"Listen, Nik," my dad started.

"Aww no dad, you only call my by my initials when there's something awkward you want to talk about," I whined. I was only "Nik" when he had to break some bad news to me or I'd done something wrong. 

Dad had always been super gentle with me, not like I'd ever done much to cause him problems. I had always strived to be the good kid who brought him no issues. He deserved that.

"I know, but I love you and this is important. Listen... I know you two have feelings for each other and are going to enjoy the weekend together. That's your decision and I respect it... but I was a little younger than you when I got your mom pregnant. Not that I regret it! You are the best thing I ever did. I wouldn't trade you for the world. But I didn't think at that age that anything could happen. My parents never talked to me about that stuff." He sighed.

"I'm not getting pregnant, dad. It doesn't work like that for guys," I tried to lighten the mood.

"Be serious, kid. There are things out there that could kill you or make you really sick. I'm your father. I love you more than anything in the world, and I have to warn you about that stuff... I know Navid is a nice guy, but STD's don't just happen to bad people." He reached over to his bag and pulled out a box of condoms. He opened it and counted out a string of them.

"No no," I started to protest when I saw the shiny, gold wrappers.

"You know how to use these already, and don't use two together! Just one at a time and if you need more, just ask. Don't be ashamed to protect your health. Ok? Well... here," He shoved four of them into my hand and then put the box back in his bag.

"Dad, we haven't even gotten to that yet..." I could NOT look him in the eye as I shoved them into my pocket.

"Well good, and if you don't want to do that, you be sure to speak up for yourself. Or if you want me to tell him, I can do that. You can stay in my room. I was going to have Annie come out tonight, but..." He started.

"Annie? You're dating her again? She's the one who thought your job wasn't good enough to date her?" My dad had a bad habit of choosing single women with good careers who wanted to change him and never thought he made enough money.

"We talked it out... look don't change the subject. I don't judge who you date!" He laughed. "But I'm glad you got a nice guy who treats you so well. I'm your father, I have to worry about that stuff."