The Space Between Us(44)

“How long have you guys been seeing each other?” I asked Angie.

“Well, we met in the middle of October, but didn't start seeing each other really until November. So, almost two months.”

“What you are saying, then, is that you’re still in the honeymoon stage of your relationship? So that means Dad is still on his very best behavior and hasn't given you the real insight into some of his more irritating habits.”

“Charlie,” my dad warned. I shot him my most mischievous smile.

“Dad, let Angie and me bond!” I said to him, turning to Angie I rest my elbow on the tabletop and place my chin on my fist.

“Have you witnessed his obsessive dishwashing tendencies?” I asked, thoroughly interested.

“Oh, you mean how he has to wash the dishes before he puts them in the dishwasher? Yes, we've had this discussion. And what about his thing with towels?”

“You mean how he can only use a towel once? I don't know where that came from. His parents think it's weird too, so he didn't get it from them. Have you met Grammy and Pappy yet?”

“No, not yet. Your dad was hoping I would get to meet them on Christmas. You know, if it was ok with you that I tagged along for Christmas.” I could tell she was nervous about asking me that, and it made me feel better about the whole situation that she was sensitive to the fact.

“If Dad wants you at Christmas, I want you at Christmas,” I said simply. I saw Angie let out a small sigh of relief and my dad smiled. Just then I heard my phone ping. Pulling it out of my pocket I saw a text from Asher.

**Hey Bit. Can I come over?**

“Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“I'm so glad we've all grown since I've been away at college.”

“Uh, me too, Charlie,” he said, obviously confused.

“We're all adults, right?” I asked, keeping a straight face and a level voice.

“Yes. I suppose so. Why?”

“Well, Asher is going to come over here in a few minutes and he's going to sleep over. Since we're all adults, I thought I would let you know instead of trying to sneak him in after you've gone to sleep.” I was like stone, keeping my facial expressions even and expectant.

“Charlie, I'm not comfortable with that.”

“Dad, I'm not going to lie to you. Asher and I spend most nights together at school. You know I love him and you also know that he loves me. Keeping us apart is pointless. Neither one of us is a child anymore and I guess I would appreciate it if you treated me like the responsible adult you raised me to be.” Dad looked absolutely flabbergasted. And to my ultimate surprise and delight, Angie leaned over to speak into Dad's ear. I heard her speak softly to him.

“She's a good girl. He'll be over after you go to sleep anyway if you refuse.” I smiled at her because it was true. Dad let out the biggest and loudest sigh I'd ever heard. He was not use to being outnumbered by women.

“Fine, but your door stays open.” I laughed out loud because it was ridiculous that he would request that, but I agreed.

***Come on over and bring your sleeping clothes. Dad said you could stay the night.***

***I knew your dad was a reasonable man.***

“Thanks, Papa Bear.” I got up from the table and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“You do not get to call me Papa Bear after you invite your boyfriend to stay the night.”

I used both my hands to cup his stubble-shadowed face. “You'll always be my Papa Bear, Daddy.”




Christmas break passed without much excitement. My dad begrudgingly allowed Asher to stay over at our house, but we made sure Asher never left my room until after Dad had left for work. No need to have awkward run-ins in the bathroom. We both pretended like nothing out of the ordinary was going on, even though it was like there was a giant pink elephant in the room no one wanted to address.

Asher and I attempted, at first, to be quiet and still enjoy our time together, but I quickly realized sex in the same house my father was sleeping in was a huge turn off. I developed a new appreciation for late-night snuggling and sleepy, morning sex. Asher, Reeve, and I spent our days together, catching up with other friends who had come home for break. We went to a few parties and it was good to see some people from high school, but I found myself feeling like I was over the whole scene. Parties with people I went to high school with felt, well, like high school.

Towards the end of our two weeks at home, Asher and I opted to spend evenings on the couch watching movies or playing board games with Reeve. It was relaxing and turned out to be the best way to spend our break from school.

My Dad gave me a shiny new laptop for Christmas, which I loved. Angie was really sweet and gave me a very cool pair of knee-high boots and a few blouses that were very cute. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and impressed with her taste in fashion. She joined us for a dinner a few times over break. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching as my dad grew more and more comfortable being affectionate with her as the weeks went on. It was as if he was inching into a cold pool, trying to acclimate to the water, trying not to offend or upset me by their PDA. I appreciated the concern, but also found that I wasn’t bothered by their being together as much as I would have guessed. I liked Angie and I liked how happy my dad was with her.

On Christmas Eve, Asher took me out on a date and made sure that it was a surprise as to where we were going.