AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I see him struggling. “Spit it out, Dad.”
“I’m sorry. I’m still conflicted over yesterday morning. I know you’re a woman now, but it’s hard for me to see my baby that way.” He turns to me. “Everything was completely consensual, right?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course, Dad. If anything, I’m the aggressor.”
He slowly nods. “I didn’t need to know that last part.” I laugh. “Just make sure you’re never pressured into anything you don’t want to do. You’re one hundred percent in control of your body and who touches it. If, when, how, and where are all your decisions you get to make, not the man.”
“I know.”
“I mean it. No one touches you without your permission.”
“I get it. Can we move on?”
He nods. “Are you excited for the fall?”
“Definitely. I can’t wait for school.”
“And you’re set on being a business major and a marketing minor?”
“Yes. I think the course catalog comes out in a few weeks. We can review it together.”
“Great. Let’s plan to do that. We can map out all four years. If you truly want to start a business right after college, you’re going to have to do some of the planning when you’re still in college.”
“I know.”
“You’ll need a concrete business plan.”
“Yep. I plan to take courses my first two years that will help teach me how to do that, beyond what you’ve taught me, and then I’ll start the business plan during my junior year.”
“Good. I’ll be here to help you with it. Are you sure you want to go out on your own? It’s a lot of work.”
“I know it is. I don’t want a run of the mill type of business. I want to do something relevant to the times.”
“I understand. You can always work for me if you change your mind.”
“Thanks, Dad. I really want to own my own business though. Just like you. I want to make you proud of me.”
“I’ll be proud of you no matter what, as long as you always take the right path. Don’t take shortcuts. It will come back to bite you in the ass. Put your nose down, and work hard. Treat people well. Treat your employees well. Do your homework. Don’t be afraid of hard work.”
“I know, Dad. You’ve told me all this stuff before.”
“Okay.” He pauses for a moment as he starts to tear up. “You’re very special, Reagan. You’re meant to shine bright. Don’t let anything or anyone dull that light of yours. As long as you don’t let your wild side interfere with your goals, you’re destined to succeed.”
“Maybe my wild side will help me.”
He smiles. “Maybe it will.”
“You drive motorcycles. You took me on one today without Mom knowing. I’d say you’re pretty wild, too, Dad.”
He laughs. “I suppose you’re right.” He grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s get home before your mother notices you’re gone.”
We ride home, but when we open the garage, Mom is standing there with her arms crossed. I whisper, “She looks pissed.”
He whispers back, “Go straight inside. I’ll handle her.”
My arms are still wrapped around him, and I give him one last long, hard squeeze. I continue to whisper, “Thanks for taking me. I had the best morning.”
He whispers, “Me too, sweetie. Me too. It was worth the trouble I’m about to get into.”
