Ben:
You’re seriously on a dating app? Dad is going to lose his shit. You came across one of my friend’s profiles. Are you insane?!
His disgust is clear as I read his message, but rather than letting myself spiral, I find myself getting angry.
He’s pissed because they think my being on a dating app is so deplorable?
Me:
How I live my life is none of your business, Ben. Don’t contact me again.
I silence the conversation with him and open the app Shelby insisted on installing on my phone the second I walked into the shop this morning.
To my absolute shock, there are several messages waiting in my inbox.
One by one, I open them before dismissing them as I go. All they seem to want is a hookup, or to ask me questions I refuse to answer. And let’s not forget the unsolicited dick pics that others slide in there.
As I’m about to give up, I come across a sweet one from a man named Jeff.
Jeff:
Wow, I hope this doesn’t come across as cliché, but you’re beautiful.
I feel myself smiling as I message him back, deciding that maybe Shelby is right. Maybe I do need to get out there, and Jeff seems nice enough to at least talk to.
Me:
You’re right, that is definitely cliché, but thank you all the same.
I click my phone closed, tossing it on the coffee table as I think about what Ben’s goal is.
I’m out of their lives just like they wanted. So why does he have to message me after six months just to tell me how much our father is going to disapprove?
Well, screw them both. I’m twenty-one years old. If I want to date, I will, and they can just be mad about it.