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“I disagree. You and Mom got together when you were seventeen, and you were together for most of your lives,” I point out.
He rubs his brow and shakes his head. “Times were different back then. The world has changed and with it, young people like you have unlimited possibilities. Why would you want to go and throw away your future like that? Why gamble it all on one girl?”
I stand, feeling my anger surge through me, and point at him. “You’re the one that made sure I knew I wouldn’t go anywhere in life.” I stand and walk to the door but pause with my hand on the knob. “You made sure to let me know every chance you got, that I wouldn’t make it out there. Any dream I may have had was never good enough for you. You just wanted me to follow in your footsteps, and now you’re pissed off because I am! Don’t worry about firing me. I quit!”
I storm out of the door and don’t stop to think about what I’m doing until I’m sitting behind the wheel of my car.
My heart slams against my chest so hard, it feels like it’s going to break through. I’m so angry I can’t even control my heavy breathing.
How am I going to tell Alissa I quit my job?I have to have a job in order to pay for the house. If I don’t, it’ll only be a month before we’re kicked out.
I start the car and drive home. I sit looking at the house that’s now my responsibility. How am I going to do this? It’s been one fucking day, and already I’m failing. Maybe my dad’s right. Maybe I’m not mature enough for this.
Alissa peeks out of the window, so I get out and walk inside.
“What happened? I thought you had a shift.”
I flop down onto the couch. “Dad and I got into it… And I quit.”
Her shoulders fall and her eyes flash to where her hands twist at a rag.
I pat the seat next to me, and she comes willingly into my arms. “It’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll find another job.”
She nods. “I just don’t understand what happened. I knew he wouldn’t support us, but this?”
I place my hands on either side of her face and lean in, kissing her. I let that kiss say everything I can’t. I can’t tell her I’m too hardheaded for my own good. I can’t tell her I’m the reason this is starting to fall apart before it even starts. Instead, I just make sure she knows I love her, and despite how hardheaded I am, I will do anything I need to do to take care of her.
When I pull away, I say, “I’m sorry, but this will work. We just need time to adjust and get our bearings.”
“Okay. Tomorrow after school we’ll both go job hunting.”
“Why do you need to go job hunting? You haven’t quit.”
“I can’t work there now. He’ll blame me for coming between you guys.”
I highly doubt he’ll say anything to her, but I don’t argue. The day’s been hard enough as it is. I pull her against me as we sit quietly, trying to think of a way out of this mess.
We’re just finishing up dinner and getting ready for bed, when someone knocks on the door. I swat Alissa on the ass as I leave her in the bedroom to see who’s coming over this late.
When I open the door, I’m surprised to see it’s my dad.
I don’t say anything. I just step back and open the door a little wider, so he can come in.
He paces back and forth for a few quick seconds before he stops and turns to look at me. “I don’t want you quitting the grill.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, I’m sorry. It’s done. I can’t work there if this is how things are going to be between us.”
He takes a deep breath and sits down on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees. I’ve already blown out the candles for the night, so the place is dark, but he doesn’t ask about it. He already knows I’m having trouble getting my shit together.
“Look, I don’t support this. I can’t. I think it’s completely crazy that either one of you would want to throw your lives away like this. What about college? What about a career? What about seeing what else is out there? I know you don’t want to be stuck in this town your entire life, you’ve always said that.”
I take a seat on the opposite side of the couch. “We can still do those things, Dad. We can go to college if we want. We can travel the world. But we’re going to do it together. I thought you of all people would understand this.”
He leans back and looks around the place. “What happens if she gets pregnant?”
I roll my eyes. “That’s not going to happen. We’re always safe. You keep treating me like a child, but I haven’t been a child for a very long time. I may only be seventeen, but you’ve made sure to treat me like a man since I was ten. I know I have to work to survive. I know I have to take care of the ones I love. And Alissa, she’s at the top of that list.”
He nods. “Alright. I won’t give you anymore shit about it then. But when all this falls through, I don’t want you to come crawling back to me. If you do this, you’re on your own. For good.”
