"Go, Dad."
We're all laughing quietly in my room—even if it's totally screwed up right now. My mom's pretty much abandoning me. It's not like I see her much anyway. It's Dad who takes care of me, who's always there when I need him, who cooks me dinner, makes sure my clothes fit and are clean—he even makes sure I wash behind my ears.
The front door clicks shut and I hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
"My dad."
Everyone nods.
There's a knock. "Xan?" Dad probes.
"Yeah, Dad. Come in."
The door opens and there's my dad. He's pretty darn tall for just a doctor. I think he could have played basketball or something but he said he couldn't make a basket if he was standing right beside it. His black hair matches mine, as do his ice blue eyes.
He always makes my friends feel welcome.Always.
"I take it you heard?" he asks, looking around the room at all of us.
"Yeah. She was pretty loud."
"Your mother has a flare for the dramatic."
I just nod.
"We can talk more about it later or tomorrow—whichever works out best for you."
"Okay," I answer.
"You going to be okay, Xan?" he asks.
I nod again. "Yeah, Dad. I'll be fine. It's not like it was a surprise."
Dad shakes his head. "No. I suppose not. Are you all finished with your homework?"
We all tell him 'yes'.
"I'll order some pizzas. Let's take over the TV room tonight," he invites.
"Cool, Dad. Thanks."
"See you in a few," he replies.
As he begins to close the door, I call out to him. "Dad?"
"Yeah, bud?"
"I don't have to go over there, do I? To Paris? I don't want to spend my holidays and summers over there where I don't know anyone. I want to spend it here with you and my friends. You're my family—she's not," I tell him honestly.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I'll fight for you, Xander. Don't worry. It'll all be okay."
I stand up and walk over to my dad and hug him.
"It'll be okay. I promise," he murmurs again.
"I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, Xander." He kisses the top of my head. "Now for those pizzas…"
