a smart move. This seems to satisfy her curiosity. Truthfully, talking about Tori makes me happy. I didn’t think I was going to find someone so fast that I feel so comfortable with.
I head to my room to work on my homework and have it finished before dinner. The time has flown, and before I know it my dad is walking in the door. Now with my dad, I never know what to expect. He could be in a great mood or he could be in a crappy mood. Regardless, I’ll reap the God awful benefits of either mood.
“Hey dad,” I tentatively say to him, hoping he’s in a great mood.
He peers at me and asks, “Hey, Charlie, how was your day? Anybody say anything about your clothes?”
Well shit, there went that hope and I swear I can see it float right out of the window.
My mom barely glances up.
“No dad, my clothes seemed to be accepted by my peers,” I respond matter of fact. I receive no response. However, I don’t doubt this is not the end of the conversation.
I dread dinner time. Ever since I could dish my food out by myself, there have always been comments. As we sit down to eat and I start serving my food onto my plate, I hear the dreaded words.
“Charlie,” my dad says, “I think you need to make your portions a little smaller. You’re a healthy girl already, no need to make yourself look even healthier. Otherwise your peers really will have something to say about your clothes. Don’t you think?”
This has occurred my whole damn life, so you would think I would be used to it. But do you ever really get used to snide comments about your weight? These days it gets old quickly, and I always get embarrassed. My mom just looks down at her plate, while my dad continues his rant.
At this point I’m done eating. I’ve lost my appetite and I finish what little is on my plate and declare I’m going to bed. When I get in to my room, I feel the need to scream, but of course, I don’t. I’m not sure why I let him get to me. I should be used to it. But I’m just not!
To lighten my mood, I decide to call Tori. I’ve never had a close girl friend to talk to, and I decide to take a leap of faith. She picks up on the second ring. “Aw, I was hoping you would call. We still have a conversation to continue,” she says.
I chuckle into the phone and change the subject by asking about her.
“So, Tori, do you have your eye on anybody in particular?”
“Nah,” I just haven’t found anyone yet that is crush worthy in my opinion. Or at least, worthy of my crush!” We laugh and start talking about other mundane things, and next thing I know, two hours have passed. We figure out we have the same lunch period and plan to meet in the morning in the parking lot. We discuss clothing options for the next day and say our goodbyes. I get off the phone feeling a little better and ready to start the next day.
Chapter 7-Maverick
After practice, I head straight home. My mom is sitting in the living room snuggled with my dad who has fallen asleep on the couch. I am very fortunate to have a great set of parents who are still married and love each other complete with a gross amount of groping when I’m in or out of the room. Despite their gross PDA, I am very close to my parents. There isn’t much that I don’t feel comfortable telling them and we have what we call an open door policy. Because of this, they also know when something is going on with me.
As soon as I sit down in the chair across from them, my mom picks up on my attitude. “How was practice Maverick?” I nod my head up and down and tell her good. “Okay, well if practice was good then what’s going on in your head?” she asks. I know the minute I tell her she will freak but in a good way. My mom has waited for the day that I finally discuss a girl with her. Knowing that this is a discussion I need her help on, I start to talk.
“So I’ve met this girl,” I begin. Just like that my mom gets this instant smile and perks up. “Wait,