Different Aspects
Dad gave me a wink like we were pals or something! He had to be kidding? Why would I want to be his pal when he had left me & Mum ten years before? Now he wanted me to play happy families with his new girlfriend!
She seemed nice enough, but to be honest, I really wasn't interested in meeting her at all.
At 17, I have my own life to lead, and here I am stuck in a restaurant with dad who is acting like a love struck puppy! He may be in love with Joanna and wanting to share it with me and the rest of the world by the looks of things, but it's not really something I want to be part of.
So slyly, under the table, I text my best mate to ring me on some pretext so I can get out of this situation.
A few seconds later, my phone rings. After a brief conversation with a couple of "oh nos" thrown in for good effect, I say "Yes, of course, Kaz. I'll come straight away." By this time, dad is looking at me somewhat concerned. "What's up, Chelle?" he asks.
So I trot out the concocted story of how my mate Kaz had bought tickets to see our favourite band as a surprise, and I had not turned up as I thought it was just a normal night out on the town, because meeting my Dad and Joanne had been more important. But unfortunately I was going to have to go or I would hurt my best friend's feelings and the tickets would be wasted.
Dad took a deep breath then said, "Okay, pumpkin," but I could see he wasn't happy as I gave him a peck and left.
