Hes over six feet. Im closer to my mothers height.
Bad luck, I said.
I dont mind being short, but my dad hated it. If he hadnt pushed so much I might have tried harder at sports, but it really wasnt my thing.
Why dont you take Anita? Nathaniel said.
Take Anita where? Jason asked.
Home to meet your dad.
We both stared at him. We stared long enough and hard enough for him to look uncomfortable. What? he asked.
What do you mean, what? I asked.
Im with Anita on this one, Nathaniel. I mean that would be too sitcom. Taking home a girl who happens to be a friend, but isnt my girlfriend, to prove to my dad Im not gay. Thats just too sweeps week.
Nathaniel sat up, the sheet pooling in his lap, barely covering. You and Anita are friends, right?
Jason and I looked at each other. Yeah, I said.
Yes, Jason said.
You and she are lovers, right?
We both said a slow yes.
You hang out with us. We watch movie marathons, and go out to eat. You arent with us the way Micah is, but you spend a lot of time with us, right?
Yeah, but, Jason said.
Why but? Nathaniel said. Shes your friend, shes a girl, you really are lovers. Its not a lie.
Jason and I looked at each other. He shrugged. I turned back to Nathaniel. I dont think a fuck buddy is what his mom had in mind, Nathaniel.
Youre more than fuck buddies, Anita, even I know that.
I didnt know what to say to that. I was speechless, not out of distraction, but because I just couldnt think my way past it all. I knew there was a reason not to do this, a good one; Id think of it in a second.
I cant take Anita home to meet my family; it would imply things that arent true, Jason said.
There, hed said it. Yeah, I said.
But you arent going to say youre engaged or anything. Your mom wants you to bring home a girlfriend, so bring one home. If you dont care what your dad thinks, then screw it, but if it matters to you, then why not take Anita with you?
Jason looked at me, and I did not like the look on his face. Oh, no, I said.
You dont have to do this, Anita; its too big a favor to ask of anyone.
You really think taking me home would help ease your fathers passing? I tried not to sound sarcastic or too harsh, but probably failed.
Hes a cruel bastard. He wouldnt even let my mom tell me he was sick. He said if I didnt care enough to see him when he was well, he didnt want pity.
But, I said.
But the doctors say he has only weeks. He wont make another Christmas.
How long has it been since youve seen him?