Letting out a slow breath, I knock, wanting this step to not be a bump in the process.
There’s no answer for several seconds, so I knock again. The door finally opens and it’s my father, dressed in his robe, his hair mussed.
“Courtney. What are you doing here?”
I try to swallow the disappointment that he’s not ecstatic to see me.
“I’m here for two days. I thought I’d stop by andsay hello.” This feels a lot more like I’m a salesman than this man’s son.
“Come in.” My dad opens the door wider and waves me in.
The house feels different since I haven’t been here in at least six years, and yet some things feel the same.
“What brings you here? Lacrosse?” he asks as he walks into the kitchen.
“No, I’m waiting for someone to get here.”
My dad turns to me and raises an eyebrow. “You’ll meet someone here, but this is the first time you come to visit your parents?”
Of course, here comes the guilt trip.
“Maybe this was a bad idea,” I say, turning toward the door.
“Hold on a minute,” he says. “Your mom will want to see you before you go.”
I grit my teeth, trying to calm my nervous system.
“Do you want a coffee?” he asks, pouring himself a cup.
“Why can’t you support me, Dad?” I ask, staring at him.
He frowns, the deep lines in his forehead so familiar from memories of years past.
“We do support you. We have for years.”
Shaking my head, I say, “You haven’t come to a game in years. I play lacrosse, train for it, and serveat a restaurant to make things work. So don’t tell me you’re still supporting me.”
“Don’t talk to me like that, son. I’m still your father.”
Nodding, I say, “I get that. But just because I moved out doesn’t mean I don’t still need people in my corner.”
He shrugs. “How else are we supposed to get you to come to your senses? Lacrosse was something that helped you get out energy as a kid. But you’re almost thirty, Courtney. You’ve got to move on with life. Find someone to settle down with and get a real job.”
His words cut through me like a knife.
“Courtney,” my mom says from behind me. “This is a surprise.”
I control my breathing before I turn around. My whole body is practically vibrating with anger.
“Hey, Mom,” I say.
“What brings you here?”
“Just meeting up with someone. I thought about asking to stay the night, but I think it’s best if I go.”
She frowns. “So soon? Does Ceci know you’re here?”
I shake my head. “This was a quick trip. I only planned it last night.”
