Pushing past the feelings of homesickness, I look away from the photo. I’m surprised my dad hasn’t brought up the reason for his call yet, but I humor him and reply, “I can’t wait. I’m excited to see both of you next week at graduation. Did you get the tickets okay?”
“Us too, pumpkin. We got the tickets, but to be honest, I didn’t call to discuss graduation.”
Here we go. The conversation I was dreading. “Haveyou heard back from any of the companies you applied to yet?” I suppress the eye roll.
“Yes, I have. I haven’t received any offer letters, though. But I’ve been applying to multiple jobs every day and?—”
“Have you thought more aboutmyoffer?”
Ah yes, his offer. The one that requires me to “take some time off, move back home, and relax for a change.” My dad is the sweetest person alive, but he’s also one of the most determined people I know. Lately, he’s been insistent on getting me to throw my plan out the window and go along with his idea out of the fear that I’m trying to do too much too fast.
“Dad, I’ve told you before, I can’t take time off. I’m on a strict ten-year plan, and that plan relies on me getting a job by the end of this summer.” I wince at my tone, but I’m annoyed that I have to explain this again.
I’ll be graduating next week with my bachelor's in architecture. While all of my classmates have big internships and jobs lined up for the summer, I have nothing. No matter how many times I explain it, my dad never seems to understand the importance of my plan.
My parents provided me with a good life. My mom stayed home until I was in school, then took a part-time job at the plant nursery, and my dad has worked for his accounting firm since graduating from college. Being an only child, I never had to worry about sharing anything, including my parents’ attention. We had mundane Christmases and family trips to the beach. It was a steady childhood, and as a kid, I was never left wanting anything.
That is, until I grew older.
By the time I reached high school, I realized there was so much more to be attained in life. Instead of road trips to the beach, I wanted to take flights and explore other countries. Instead of shopping the discount racks, I wanted to buy clothing items at full price. Instead of fake jewelry, I wantedrealgold to adorn my fingers and wrists.
I’m grateful for the steady life my parents provided, but I believe I am capable of achieving more than what I grew up with. I refuse to settle in the same way they did.
“Hmm…Okay, I’ll keep sending you applications as I come across them. Just promise me you’ll give my offer some more thought. I’d hate to see you burn out at such a young age.”
“Thanks, I will.” I feel gross lying to my dad, but I’m tired of having the same conversation with him over and over again.
“We’ll see yo—oh, oh no.” My dad cuts himself off, and I hear a rustling on the other side of the phone.
“Pumpkin, I have to go. The sprinkler is going haywire on your mom again. Sara, I’ll be right there. I love you. Keep an eye out for my emails, okay?” he says. With an “I love you too,” our conversation is over.
Sitting on my bed, I contemplate my dad’s offer for a split second before brushing the idea off. There’s just no wiggle room in my plan to take a few months off after graduation. My dad is usually right, but he’s wrong this time. There’s no way I’ll burn out. I’ll be fine.
My phone pings in my hand, and I tap the incoming notification on the screen.
Theo
Here’s the address. Party is on Saturday.
The three dots are loading, and I wait for the next incoming message.
Theo
How’s the ankle I so brutally ran over?
Again, so sorry about that.
A giggle escapes my throat of its own free will at his triple texting. I’m not sure why I gave him my real phone number, considering he slammed into me with his cart. I’m also not sure why I decided to text him back. I think part of me still wants to thank him for saving my laptop and planner the day I saw him in the diner.
Yeah, and the other part of you has spent the past four weeks thinking about his smile.
Shutting up my thoughts, I type out my reply.
Sienna
All better, thanks to a bag of ice and a tub of ice cream.
Theo
