Page 98 of Room to Breathe

My phone buzzed again.Just in case, he responded.

“How does this face look?” I gave her an exaggerated frown and the saddest eyes I could muster. “For when I go outside.”

She smiled. “Who could resist?”

I kissed her cheek. “Have a good day at work. Tell your coworkers my boyfriend will beat them up if they give you a hard time.”

She laughed. “Really?”

“Have they…still been giving you a hard time?” I asked. Things with Dad had been hard on me, but they’d been hard on her too.

“It’s getting better,” she said.

“Good.” I scooped up my backpack from the kitchen chair and slung it onto my shoulder. I still had fifteen minutes, but I feltantsy. Pacing the sidewalk might help. As I walked to the front door, my dad was coming down the stairs.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Did I hear something about beating someone up?”

I shrugged. “Apparently it’s not necessary.”

“That’s good.” He gave me one of his amused smiles. One that made me remember something I’d written in the character letter.

“Dad,” I said.

“Yes?”

“I wrote a letter about you.”

“I know. I appreciate it.”

I slid my backpack to the floor and flipped through the completed packets I’d had to do last week while I was expelled. I’d taken my time on them. Done the best work possible. I needed to get my grades up. I knew my teachers weren’t feeling extra-charitable toward me these days. I didn’t think filling their lounge with mints and treats would help either. At the back of those packets was the printed letter I’d written for my dad. When he hadn’t needed it, I’d shoved it into my bag. It was a bit mangled, but I pulled it out anyway and held it out for him.

“Is this it?” he asked.

I nodded.

He held it up, poised to read.

“You don’t have to read it now,” I said.

“I want to.” His eyes traveled the page, taking in each word.

I fiddled with my fingers, then bent over and zipped up my backpack, lifting it onto my shoulder.

“I’d forgotten about the roller-skating,” Dad said with a laugh, still reading. “And the bookfair.”

“You’ve always been a great dad,” I said.

He blinked hard, his eyes still on the page. Then he was pulling me into a hug. “Thanks, kid. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

“This is…this…I needed this.”

I nodded because I felt emotion rising up my throat.