Prodigal

~23~

I was sitting outside in our backyard. It was a hot February day, about one in the afternoon. It was a Tuesday afternoon, and about 40 degrees Celsius. The sun was bright. I was wearing my favorite blue swim shorts, white tank top and baseball cap worn backwards. I was sitting at the edge of the pool and sticking my legs in. I was simply staring at my toes getting pruned, feeling super confused about my life.

I saw Dad come outside, also wearing a swimsuit. I suddenly tensed up, because I hadn’t spoken to Dad since I got back, and I didn’t know if he’d be angry or not. He said that he wasn’t super angry, but I didn’t know if I believed him. For god’s sake, I literally stole money from him. Even though, it was technically my money.

I was also nervous because Dad had this awful school of thought that says whenever I’m upset, I can be cheered up by throwing me in the pool. Usually it would work, but at this time I was seriously not in the mood.

“Hey buddy.” Dad said, sitting down next to me.

“I’m really not in the mood to be thrown in the pool.” I said, seriously.

“Okay.” Dad obliged. “What’s wrong?”

“Mom.” I said. “She doesn’t want me. She doesn’t care. She says you should be enough for me. She…I walked into her house and she was holding a bottle of vodka. Straight up vodka. And the entire world is making fun of the fact that my voice isn’t dropped yet. And I’m going to be alone since the thought of intimacy makes me physically sick. And everyone keeps telling me that it’s a phase. And I feel like I’m going under. That’s what’s wrong.”

Dad didn’t say anything for a minute. “Do you remember, when you were nine years old? You were terrified to go into the water. I wanted to teach you to swim in this pool but you refused to go in?”

“Yeah.” I said back. “And I remember you pushing me into this pool.”

“Really? Dad responded sassily. “Because I remember picking you up and placing you into this pool.”

“You picked me up without my permission. I was kicking and screaming and you still wouldn’t put me down anywhere but in the pool. Literally one of the most terrifying moments of my life.”

“You were afraid of falling underwater. You were afraid of going under, just like you are now.”

“Starting to see where you’re going with this.” I said, grinning, but trying not to crack a huge smile.

“Remember, after I placed you in the water, what happened?”

I knew he wanted me to admit what would help prove his point. “You held me up.” I said. “The entire time, all around the pool. I kept swimming around and you held me up the entire time. If I started to go down, your held me up.”

“I never let you go under.” He said. “And I won’t let you go under now.”

I felt slightly better after he said that. “Thanks.”

Dad wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his arms. He then slightly pushed my body away as he stood up. He then wrapped his arms under my arms and proceeded to pick me up.

“No, no, no!” I screeched. “I said I’m not in the mood!” Dad continued to lift me up. I started squirming and kicking the air. “Okay I’m fourteen you should not be able to pick me up that easily!” I exclaimed.

Dad then swiftly threw me into the pool. The shock of the cool water against my warm skin sent shocks throughout my body as I shot up. “Now I’m pissed!” I said, embarrassed at how not serious it sounded.

“No you’re not!’ He said back to me as he hopped into the pool.

And he was right, no I wasn’t.

Notes

THE END

IT'S OVER NOOOOOOOO *dramatically cries*

Thank you all so much for reading this story! The response was overwhelming, amazing, yet different that I thought it would be! I may update in a few days where I write out my thoughts on the story and y'allzes response to it.

Thank you for reading my darlings! xoxo