The Space Between Us(11)
“Charlie, what would you have done if Asher hadn't been there?”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I asked you. That boy says something profoundly inappropriate and uncalled for to you in the hallway and Asher is nowhere to be found to defend your honor. What would you do?”
“Uh, ignore him and keep walking?” That's probably what I would do, but I wasn't really going for honesty. I was just trying to give my dad the answer he was looking for so that we could move past this horrid discussion.
“Any boy who disrespects you in public will only do worse in private. At this age, Charlie Bear, boys are too focused on the, uh, physical aspects of a relationship with a girl. It's important that you realize that just because a boy says things to you that you might find, uh, flattering, you need to have respect for yourself and your body. Any boy who says things like that to you isn't worthy of your time or attention.”
“Dad, please, let's not do this,” I said as I started to stand up to take my plate into the kitchen.
“Charlie, sit.” I instinctually sat back down quickly. Dad used his 'I mean business' voice, which he only reserved for times when I knew it was best to obey him. “You're in high school now and it's important that you understand how the male mind works at this age. Now,” he paused, again trying to put something together in his mind. “When boys your age are interested in girls, there is a chance that they are thinking about a physical relationship with her more than she might be. Boys are more curious, more driven by hormones, and sometimes more, well, uninhibited in a sexual nature.”
“Have you met Reeve?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. My dad's eyes grew wide and I immediately regretted my joke. “I'm kidding! Jeez, Dad. Reeve isn't like that. I mean, she's flirty and boy crazy, but she's not – you know,” I tried to insinuate what I meant because, Lord knows, I didn't want to say it. He let out a loud breath.
“Ok, good. Don't scare me like that.” He reached up to try and loosen the neck of his shirt. He looked a little warm. “All I am trying to say is that even though I am glad that Asher was there and did the right thing, he won't always be. Boys are going to try to date you, Charlie Bear. They're going to ask you out, and they're going to want to kiss you and possibly more.” He wiped the palm of his hand over his forehead which was now beaded with sweat.
“Dad,” I said softly. “I am not ready to date boys. I'm not even really interested in being someone's girlfriend. The boys at my school are pretty immature and dumb. You've got nothing to worry about. Plus, Asher seems to do a good job of keeping them away anyhow.”
“So long as we're on the same page that you're not allowed to have a boyfriend until you're sixteen and you understand what I'm saying about boys, I think we can end this conversation.”
“Oh, thank God,” I said quickly and jumped up from the table. After putting my dishes in the sink, I headed towards my bedroom but was stopped by the sound of the phone ringing.
“Hello?” I said as I answered.
“Hey, Bit. What are you doing?”
“Just finished dinner.”
“Wanna go shoot some hoops with me?”
“You mean watch you shoot hoops while I try to throw a round thing into an impossibly small hole?” I had never been very athletic, so playing a sport with Asher was usually pretty pointless.
He laughed. “Yeah, that.”
“Let me ask my dad.” I held my hand over the mouthpiece of the phone and yelled through the house. “DAD! Is it ok if I go to the elementary school and play basketball with Asher?” My dad came around the corner and I smiled at him sheepishly.
“You've got school tomorrow, so be home by nine. And tell Asher I want to talk to him before you leave.” I felt my eyes darting all around the room, trying to figure out what my dad wanted to say to Asher. My dad turned and walked away, leaving me nervous.
“Uh, yeah, I can go but my dad wants to talk to you before we leave.”
“That's cryptic.”
“Just get over here.” I heard the line go dead and knew he'd knock on the door soon so I went and changed into some hoop-shooting clothes. When the damn doorbell rang, and rang, and rang, I headed downstairs to find Asher already inside and my dad closing the door behind him.
“You ring that doorbell every time only because you know how much I hate it.”
He smiled a big toothy grin. “Not gonna lie, Bit. It's the highlight of my day.”
“Asher, come with me into my study,” my dad said.
“Ok,” he replied and started to follow my father. I started following too, but made it only a few steps before my dad stopped me without even looking back.
“Charlie, wait in the living room.” I stopped in my tracks and watched Asher disappear into the study with my father. I had no idea what he was going to say to him, but I knew it made me nervous. I wandered into the living room and sat on the couch bouncing my knee up and down, trying to distract myself. Ten minutes later I heard the door open and walked towards it. I saw Asher come out first and my dad's hand was on his shoulder. They were both smiling, although Asher's smile looked a little forced.
“Can we go?” I asked, desperately.