AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But when I got into Medical School, I finally put my foot down. I wasn’t going to commute to Columbia every damn day from New Jersey. No way. Dad got me a nice apartment basically across the street from school, and one for Tony right across the hall. It’s like the worst sitcom setup ever. But it sure beats living in dad’s house.
“Don’t forget that we need to leave your lecture early tomorrow to make it to your father’s house in time.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not skipping bio-chem for a dinner I don’t want to go to, Tony.”
He scowls at the name. But he’s given up correcting me. “Your father wants you there, and on time.”
“And I want to keep my spot at the head of my class. And, you know, learn?”
“We’ll be leaving at two-fifteen.”
“We’ll be leaving at three, when the class ends,” I hiss. I turn sharply and keep walking. I’m sure we’ll still be leaving at two-fifteen. But at least I can put up a fight about it.
I want nothing to do with this stupid dinner, too. It’s just going to be a bunch of my dad’s mob buddies and their mistresses, like a bad rip-off episode of the Sopranos. In fact, more and more, I want as little to do with my father and his life as possible. I want to study my ass off, get my medical degree, and hopefully pull a residency on the other side of the planet from New Jersey.
We start across the quad towards my apartment. I’m distracted when a handsome looking blond guy runs up.
“Hey, Tessa!”
I smile weakly at the familiar face. “Hey, Ted.”
Ted is also a first year, and in my bio chem lecture. He’s very sweet, and he’s very classically “all-American” handsome. I didn’t date at all growing up, or even in college. My dad being who he is scared most guys away. Anyone who was brave or stupid enough to ask me out got a hard “talking to” from someone like Fat Tony. But being at Medical School and away from my father, I finally said yes when Ted asked me out.
My first date ever was nice. But that’s it. It was nice. Ted was nice, even about Fat Tony sitting a table away from us at dinner. The food was nice. And he was nice enough to walk me home. We hugged, and he went home. It should have been a really great intro to dating: no awkward kiss, and no pressure to do anything I’ve never done before. Except it was just sort of boring.
The problem is, there was no “spark.” I think that’s been my problem with my love life, aside from my overbearing dad. I’ve been waiting my whole life for a spark, and I’m starting to wonder if sparks are just movie-script bullshit. Because now I’m twenty-two years old, and I’ve never even kissed a guy.
“Hey, so, I had a really nice time the other night, Tessa.”
I smile. “Thanks, Ted. Me too!” I’m not lying. I did have a “nice” time. But without any sort of spark, what’s the point? What’s the point of trying for another date with Tony looming over us? I can’t even imagine the awkwardness of trying to invite Ted upstairs with my dad’s employee lurking across the hall. He probably has orders to break Ted’s kneecaps if he tries to come upstairs anyways. I’m positive my father knows about my date, thanks to Fat Tony. I can’t believe I haven’t heard any flack about it.
“Maybe we could try for another time next week?”
“She’s busy next week.”
I grit my teeth. I turn and glare at Tony, but his face is like stone.
“Okay, um, maybe the week after?” Ted hasn’t gotten the hint that I’ve already picked up on.
“Let me guess, I’m busy that week too?” I mutter at Tony.
He grunts. “Yep.”
This is my father, speaking and acting through Tony. He’s let me have my one dumb date, and now he’s shutting it down. I mean I’m twenty-two for fuck’s sake. I sigh and look back to Ted. “You know what? I’ll call you.”
“Sounds great. Good to see you, Tessa.”
“We’re late.” Tony grunts and pushes me along past Ted. I frown deeply and march ahead of him. This is one of the little things I do to assert some power. I don’t call Tony “Fat Tony” for nothing. When I walk fast, I can hear him wheezing to catch up. It might be a bitch move, but Tony’s an asshole mob thug. So, screw it.
“Slow it down, Tessa,” he grunts.
“Can’t, sorry!” I yell over my shoulder. “I’m very, very busy, Tony. I thought you knew that?” I’m being a smart ass, but I don’t care.
“Slow it down!” He grunts again. I’m really walking fast, and he’s farther back than he normally is. “Tessa! I mean it!”
I smile to myself. “I can’t hear you, Tony! Catch up!”
I’m across the quad now. I turn to dart through the small alley between the student union and the visitor’s center, like I always do. My apartment building is right across the street from where the little cut-through exits to. I slip into the shadows. I think about running now that I’m out of sight of Tony, and it makes me grin.
