ALIVE - R. BOWEN

four

Ricky rolled in the front door after school had ended on Friday. His first week at East High was over with and he only had about eighteen more to go. He followed his routine of kicking off his shoes and dropping his backpack but instead of heading for the stairs, he wandered around the house looking for his dad.

"Dad?" Ricky asked aloud. When he didn't receive a response, he decided to head up the stairs and check the bedrooms. He called out for his dad again and received an answer from behind a closed bathroom door. Ricky knocked and his dad emerged from the steamy bathroom fully clothed.

"Ricky," his dad said, heading for the stairs, "Is there a reason you were looking for me?" He dad asked half serious and half jokingly.

Ricky nodded his head but couldn't seem to find the right words to ask. "I uh, I just didn't expect you to be so dressed up. What're you doing tonight that you needed to be showered and shaved for?" Ricky ended up asking instead of the question he was intending on asking.

"Ask what you came looking for me to ask before I answer that one." Mike said, confusing Ricky.

"Right," Ricky took a pause and a breath, "I was wondering if maybe you'd let me go to a party tonight?" Ricky cautiously questioned.

His dad raised an eyebrow, "At who's house?"

"Someone on the water polo team. His name is Jared." Ricky answered, surprised that he could remember the hosts name.

"Mhm, and will his parents be home?" Mike retorted. Ricky shrugged, hesitating to answer.

Mike shook his head "Then I'm sorry Ricky, but no. You know the rules about being grounded. I let you hang out with Big Red because it was a public place and just the two of you with several people that could see you. But a private party? No." Mike replied sternly.

Ricky couldn't even act like he wasn't expecting that answer, "Whatever. It's not a big deal I guess."

But it was, and Ricky knew that as soon as his dad left he'd be sneaking out to go to that party.

"I'm sorry son, I'm just trying to do what I think is best for you."

"I get it!" Ricky snapped, but Mike chose not to say anything. "Anyways, so where are you going?" Ricky asked again.

"I am going on a date." Mike said proudly.

Ricky's face fell, "Oh." Was all he could muster.

"Ricky I know this may be hard for you but, but your mom has Todd now and I can't just let myself wallow. I have to get back out there." Mike tried to explain himself.

From almost two years of constant disappointment, Ricky's emotions had started to harden. He usually just felt normal, anger, or annoyance. He didn't feel normal because this situation was anything but normal, however he wasn't angry or annoyed either. How could he be? His father was just trying to make it better for himself too.

A few months ago, news like this might have broken Ricky, caused the dams that held back tears to crack. But not anymore. Those emotions had since past.

Ricky had been silent a long time and instead of reacting, he just turned around and went upstairs to his room. He looked at himself in the mirror and when he heard the door close downstrairs signaling that his dad had left, Ricky got in the shower and got ready to get absolutely plastered.

Ricky debated walking to the party, but he knew that he wouldn't remember his way home if he didn't get a ride, so he texted Big Red asking if he was going, and he responded almost immediately that he was, and he even offered Ricky a ride.