Page 120 of Can't Kiss the Chef

“Sorry, I can’t just forgive him like you did Mom. When I finally get the chance to get to know him.” I point towards my dad. “He’s dying and even though I’ve known that this whole time you are going to leave me quicker than you were supposed to.”

“Byron, I can’t control this. I’m sorry about the past, but can we please just enjoy the time we have together?”

He slumps back against the couch like just speaking a few sentences took all the energy out of him.

A ping comes from my pocket and I pull out my phone.

Coach Stevens:

Byron please meet me in my office ASAP

I grab my mom’s car keys that are hanging by the front door.

“I’ll bring the car back later. I have to go meet with Coach.”

They don’t fight me

“Okay we love you Byron.” Mom speaks for both of them.

48

Lola

Byron’s words from the other night were the push I needed to sit and have the difficult conversation with my parents. They both had this Wednesday off so I bit the bullet and asked them to come up. They didn’t seem shocked when I told them there was a conversation I think we need to have.

The kitchen table in my apartment is lined with cookies. I was nervous so I baked enough to feed the entire Westvale Athletic Department.

“Here are the cappuccinos you guys asked for.” I set them down and take the seat opposite them.

The lump in my throat grows as I fill my plate with more cookies than I could ever eat in one sitting.

“Thanks for coming guys,” I say meekly. “I know it was a lot of me to ask you to come here on your day off.”

“We’ll do anything for you Lola,” my dad says as Mom just nods along.

“I know. Byron just said something the other night that made me realize I’d regret it if I didn’t have this conversation and something happened to one of you guys.”

I tuck my shaking hands into my lap. This conversation has been a long time coming. It shouldn’t take tragedy in someone else’s life to make for you to fix the relationships in your own lives, but sometimes that’s the perspective needed.

“I know you guys love me and only want the best for me but I need you to respect the decisions I’m making for myself now that I am an adult.”

My mom raises her finger to speak but I don’t let her stop the momentum I have. “I know I didn’t follow the path you wanted for me. Somewhere I took a different turn then Oliver and Penny, but for the first time in my life I’m happy. I love my classes. I have the best friends I could ask for. Byron might not look like the man you pictured for me, but he treats me better than anyone else ever has. And while he is watching his father die he encouraged me to talk to you, because he knows how much this strained relationship has been weighing on me.”

As I exhale the feelings that have been weighing me down since I was a teenager vanish.

When I finally find the courage to look my parents in the eyes they look remorseful. My mom’s mouth is agape and my dad’s eyes are hyper focused on mine.

“Lola I’m so sorry we made you feel that way.” my dad says as he reaches out for my hand that’s now resting on the table. “I should have realized you weren’t happy Lola. You’ve always been one to test us, so I thought you changing your major was just that.”

“You definitely always kept us on our toes Lola, but we’ve always been proud of you. You are smart and caring. And always putting your family first.”

My parents are now sitting on either side of me wrapping me in a hug.

“We’ll always love you Lola no matter what career you choose.” My dad kisses the top of my head as my mom adds, “We’ll be the first in line when you open up your restaurant one day.”

“I love you guys.” I mumble into my dad’s chest, using his Westvale Hockey t-shirt to soak up my tears.

For the first time since I pierced my own ears I feel like my parents and I are on the right path.

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