Page 114 of Faking Forever 1
“Joshua…” a baritone voice bellows from my door.
I close my curtain, squeezing it while I twist around, and then see my dad peeking his head in the door.
“Sorry. I wasn’t sure if you were still asleep. Can I come in?”
he leans his body in her.
“Sure.” I let go of the curtain and walk back over to the bed.
He lets himself in and closes the door behind him, scratching his beard with a lead stare.
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“Did I do something?” I hesitate to ask.
“No, son. It’s nothing you did. I wanted to talk with my kid.
That okay?” he gestures to my bed and sits on it.
Taking the invite, I sit beside him.
“You alright?” his lead stare disappears as he looks at me.
“I’m alive.” I rest my hands on the bed.
“Josh,” he pats a hand down on my shoulder, “I want you to know how proud I am of you. You’re growing into a wise man.
I don’t want you to let all of this bullshit from the hurricane make you stay behind.”
He was reading my mind; however, I knew how correct that statement was.
“I know.” I push my fingers through my hair, “But do you know what you plan to do? Who’s helping you?”
“Thecommunitywill help me, Josh. Stop worrying.” He chuckles, “It sounds like I’m not the one running.”
I give him a satirical smile.
“Let me worry about that, alright?” he pats my chest, sounding amused with himself.
The community, my ass.
“Why don’t we try to make a plan before I goanywhere?” I shake my head, remaining severe about this.
He stares at me, gritting his teeth with a closed mouth.
“Theonlything you need to do for me is focus on school.
And whatever you and Paisley claim to be doing. Take time for yourself.”
“I promise.” I raise my hands.
“Good. Whatareyou and Paisley doing anyway?” he furrows his eyebrows.
I scratch the back of my neck, reviewing this entire summer in my head.
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