Page 46 of Don't Love Me
Ash:You said it yourself. Putting on some goofy gown to walk across a stage is stupid.
I’d shot down the whole idea of attending my high school graduation ceremony. That had upset both George and Ash, but I hated the whole idea. Listening to a bunch of lame-ass speeches about the hope and promise of tomorrow. Lining up like soldiers to get a piece of paper. Everyone standing around taking pictures with their families. Not. For. Me.
But Ash wasn’t like me. She liked the normal things. She wanted to experience what others her age were, so she could fit in, even though she never really did.
Things like prom.
Shit.
Me:Your father is not going to let you get away with not walking.
Ash:He wasn’t going to be able to make it. Big meeting in Manhattan. He told me weeks ago.
He wasn’t going to figure out a way to attend his daughter’s graduation? That motherfucker. I looked behind me, down the slope of property that ended in the huge mansion that was soulless for all its pompous stature and expense.
I didn’t have a mother because she was an addict. What the fuck was his excuse for not being a father to his only daughter?
Me:Okay, fine. What about your birthday? Will you be home for that?
Ash:Not sure. Maybe.
Me:It’s your birthday, Ash.
Ash:I know. What’s the big deal?
Me:You’re going to be eighteen. It’s a big fucking deal.
Ash:I made you a cake, decorated the carriage house and got you the Bose headset you wanted for your eighteenth birthday. Do you remember what you said?
“You shouldn’t have bothered,” I muttered. That’s what I’d said. The cake had been awesome. The headset was still awesome. I could put it on in the library and study for hours without hearing a peep around me.
I was such a freaking jerk.
Me:You can’t use my example of being an asshole as your excuse for being an asshole.
She didn’t reply to that. Then I smiled a little evilly as I thought of my next card.
Me:If you come home, I’ll take you out for your birthday. Some place fancy. You can dress up and I’ll wear a suit. I’ll order the cake and the waiter will bring it with a candle so you can blow it out.
There was a pause in her reply. and I knew I had her. I pretty much knew Ash had wanted me to take her out on a date since she was fourteen years old. There was no way she would turn me down now.
Ash:Am I Charlie Brown? Are you Lucy and the date is the football? And you’re just going to keep pulling it away at the last second?
Totally understandable why she thought that. I’d pulled away a lot of footballs.
Me:Not this time. I promise.
Ash:That’s what Lucy always says.
There was a pause while the dots flickered.
Ash:There will be candlelight? And cake?
Got her.
Me:Yes on the cake. Not sure on the candlelight. Do all fancy restaurants come with that?
Ash:Yes. Will there be kissing?
