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“I haven’t had an asthma attack in over two years, Dad.”
“That makes you overdue for a big one.”
I tilt my head, annoyed. “That’s not how it works.”
“I just want to make sure you’re taken care of. That’s all.”
“I’m eighteen. Isn’t it about time you trust me to take care of myself?” I ask.
His arms flex, wounded. “Man, I hate that.”
“What?”
“How grown up you sound.”
“That’s bad?” I ask, raising a brow.
“No, it’s good.” He looks at me and smiles. “It’s the point of good parenting, actually. You do everything right it means your kids don’t need you anymore.”
“I still need you, Dad,” I grab the pass off my desk. “You pay for my parking.”
He laughs. “Smart ass.”
I chuckle as I roll my desk chair closer to him. “Dad, I’ll be fine. My mother works at my school and I’m still living at home. How much trouble can I really get into?”
He snorts. “You’ve met your brothers.”
“Alex and Ben go looking for trouble,” I say. “I don’t.”
“Fair point.” He sighs, his dark eyes reflecting mine. “I just can’t believe we’re here. Feels like only yesterday you were in the NICU sq?—”
“Squeezing my pinkie,” I finish it with him.
“Hey.” The lines of his face harden. “Those were the scariest days of my life. Alex and Ben, they came out fine, but you didn’t. You didn’t take a single breath on your own for six days.”
I nod. “I know.”
“Your mom and Daisy took care of the boys, but I sat in the hospital with you the whole time, surrounded by machines and doctors and nurses keeping you alive. So, I’m sorry if I need a little extra time getting used to you...” he waves a hand, “being out there, and not here.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, reaching for his hand.
On cue, he extends his pinkie, and I curl my fingers around it. Once upon a time, my grip barely managed around his thick knuckles. Now, my fingertips easily touch my palm, but the ritual is no less meaningful.
“I love you, Daddy,” I say.
My father stares at our entwined hands for a moment, then smiles as he looks up. “Love you, too, kiddo.”
“But you gotta lighten up, man.”
He chuckles. “You promise me E-lot and I’ll lighten up.”
“I could collapse anywhere on campus. Why does it matter where my car is parked?”
He frowns.
I smile. “Deal.”
“Good girl.” He rises, taking a moment to admire me again. “You sure about joining Beta Kappa, though?”
