park and took a detour to the water fountain. I lapped up the water and splashed some on my face and neck. The sun might have been setting, but it was still brutal, and the humidity made it feel like I was breathing underwater.
“I think Mom’s worried because I’ve never had a girlfriend,” I said. “I think that’s why she invited Mindy. I think she’s hoping we get together, or that if we don’t, the press at least thinks we’re a couple.”
Dad was using a nearby bench to stretch his legs. “You know I didn’t have a girlfriend until I was twenty-one.”
“Mom?”
Dad shook his head. “Your mom was still in the army at the time. Her name was Tori . . .” He frowned out of one side of his mouth. “Johnston, I think. We met in college; it didn’t last.”
“Why did you wait so long?”
“Because I wasn’t ready,” he said. “I was interested in everything—classical guitar, classical languages, computers, ancient history—but I lacked the focus to concentrate on anything. Learning took up all my time, and dating didn’t cross my mind.”
I’d seen pictures of my father in college, and his description of himself as a distracted dilettante didn’t match the preppy young man with the easy smile and serious eyes. “Well, now I know where my ADD came from.”
“Sorry about that.”
“So you didn’t feel weird being different?” I asked. “Weren’t your friends dating?”
Dad came to stand by me and rested his hand on my shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with being different, Dean, and it doesn’t make you weird.”
“I don’t think Mom would agree.”
“Future President Janice Arnault might not agree,” Dad said with a bit of cheek in his tone. “But that’s because she’s got to answer to voters and donors and people with agendas. Your mom, however, loves you more than anyone in the world, and that includes me.”
I wanted to believe my father, but I was having a difficult time separating my parent from the politician. “Sometimes, I feel like she’s already decided my entire life, and that I’m going to disappoint her if I deviate from her plan. If I don’t go to college, get married, go to law school, have a couple of children, run for office, and become president by forty-five.”
“Your mom’s always had high hopes for you, but she primarily wants you to be happy.”
“What if I want to become a teacher instead of study law?”
“She would support you.”
“And if I don’t want kids?”
Dad grimaced. “She’s really looking forward to being called ‘Granny’ one day, but she would adjust.”
“What if I married someone she didn’t like or—”
My father cut me off. “Whatever it is, your mom will get used to it. She’ll love you and support you like she always has, and so will I. And if this is really bothering you, I’ll ask Nora to disinvite Mindy. We’ll call it a security issue and apologize.”
The offer was tempting, but I didn’t want to make a fuss. “It’s okay,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.”
As sweaty as we both were, Dad hugged me tight, and I felt a little better knowing I had at least one ally. I wasn’t sure if I believed my mother would be okay with my relationship with Dre, but I believed I could count on my father, and that was enough for now.
“Why don’t you invite Tamal to come along too?” Dad asked. “That way it will look like you invited a couple of friends instead of a date?”
“Really?” I asked, surprised by my dad’s offer.
“Sure. I’ll call the Grovers and make sure it’s okay if you want.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I wasn’t sure how my mother was going to react to Dad subverting her plan, but that was his problem to deal with. I was just grateful I wouldn’t have to spend my whole evening entertaining Mindy alone.
“Come on,” my father said. “Race you home? Loser has to sit with Nora on the plane tomorrow.”
“No way,” I said. “Last time she spent the entire flight critiquing my debate performances.”
“On three, then.” Dad got ready. “One—” and then he took off sprinting toward the house. All I could do was try to catch up.
Dre
LIFE WASN’T FAIR.
My life wasn’t fair.
I’d been in my room all day waiting for my parents to knock on my door and tell me they were sorry and that they weren’t going to send me back to school, but they hadn’t. The irony is that, before I’d met Dean, I hadn’t wanted to take a leave from school.