“The twins didn’t sleep last night. They weren’t feeling very well. I was all good this morning, but they haven’t napped either, so now I’m losing my mind.” I scratch the back of my neck. She’s spinning out of control, and I’m too many hours away.
“Where is Zant?”
“He’s out of town at the South shop.” She goes on about what the twins have been doing all day and I start throwing clothes in my duffle bag.
When she takes a breath, I hurry to get words in. “Micah, hold tight. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m leaving right now. In the next two hours, try to stay as calm as possible.”
“No Levi. Don’t come today. You know we are trying to surprise Nova, and if you come early, it will ruin the whole thing.”
My clothes throwing slows down.
“Yea. You’re right. I have a whole big thing planned. I really don’t want to ruin it. On a serious note, call Kel if you need back up before I can get there to help you. They should be coming in pretty soon.”
“Levi, I appreciate it. Really. I’ll call Kelly if I need to. Or mom.”
“Ok. Here’s the plan.” I throw my packed bag on the floor of my bedroom. “I’m going to plan on leaving earlier in the morning and get there sooner than planned. Is that ok?”
“Yes,” she says. “I didn’t mean to make you panic. You know I got this. These two rug rats can’t drive me nuts.”
I chuckle at her. She’s right. She’s one of the strongest women I know. We talk for a few more minutes and end the call.
I unpack and repack my bag with the things that I really need. While on the phone with her, I panicked and started throwing random things in my bag. I pull out a bike magazine and throw it on the nightstand. How would the latest issue ofMotocrosshelp Micah?
Chapter 6
Kathleen
I wake up from my nap to the ringing of my phone. Again, I know it’s dad. Isn’t it sad that he’s the only person that calls me?
I need a life.
“Hey dad.”
“Kathleen, Wilson will pick up at seven pm. I expect to you be dressed nice and ready to go.”
“Gee, Dad. It’s nice to talk to you. My day went great. Did yours?”
“Don’t be a smarty pants, Katie. This is important.”
I sit up on the couch. I’m awake now and getting really angry.
“Important? For whom, dad? You? Wilson? I guarantee you it isn’t for me. I don’t even like this guy. I agreed to go out with him for you. You do realize that I’m twenty-nine and I can get my own dates, right? And before you make a smart comment about that… no, I don’t have a date. No, I’m not seeing anyone. But I don’t need your help to find the one either, dad.”
It’s silent on his end. I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure he didn’t hang up on me. After a few more seconds, he speaks. “You’re right Katie, and I’m sorry. You are twenty-nine and you’re not even close to being married. It worries me. That’s all.”
“Dad, there is nothing wrong with being unmarried. We are in the twentieth century. Times have changed. Women, namely me, can support themselves. We are capable of doing things without a man around. We are capable of breathing and feeding ourselves. Women are not completely inept.”
Again, after a minute or two of silence, he speaks again. “Yea. I know.” He sounds defeated a little and that surprises me, as well as making me feel guilty.
“I’m sorry. I think you’re trying to help. I hope that’s all you’re doing, but it isn’t helping dad. You’ve got to let me live my own life.” He knows he does; he just doesn’t know how.
“You’re right. But will you still go on the date tonight? I know you don’t want to, but I need you to. I don’t really want to tell you why.”
I take a deep breath. I figured he was using me the whole time, but now that I have confirmation, it hurts. However, I love my dad. I’ll do this for him, but this is the last time.
“I’ll go. This is the last time, though. I can’t keep doing this.”
“Ok. I hear you, and I will remember it. I think Wilson is ok for what it’s worth.” It’s not worth anything. The guy is a square. He tells me again what the plans are, and I reaffirm to him that I will be ready.
