Page 44 of Imperfection is Beauty

“Yeah. Okay, well, I got that hoodie one day because my period came early, and I was in a pair of white jeans. The boys were laughing at me, but one of them. He followed me into the girl's bathroom, and then gave me his hoodie to cover up until I could get home.”

“Okay, owe this boy a handshake. But, Pumpkin, you’ve had that hoodie for fucking years. What’s that got to do with your klutz moment?”

“Well, I haven’t seen him in person in almost five years. That was until a little over a month ago. He was a patient at my hospital. He saw me enter his room and asked if I still had his hoodie.”

“Okay, thinking this klutz moment isn’t as important as this boy you're telling me about.”

I closed my eyes, and then ever so softly, I whispered, “Pulse.”

I heard my dad take in an audible deep breath, “When did you feel this pulse moment?”

“In the restroom that day when he gave me his hoodie.”

“And him?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think so... but… well… he wouldn’t have remembered some random chick he gave a hoodie to. Right?”

“Right. So, this boy is important.” I could hear the curiousness in his tone, but also something else I couldn’t make out. It was something I’d never heard before. And no, I didn’t miss the way he said that it wasn’t a question. But a statement.

Needing to make sure he understood, it was crazy the impact that one single word can have… it’s either magical or it’s ripping the floor right from under your feet, “Yes.”

At that one single word, he sighed, then… “Permission to run a light background check on him?”

“Daddy, please. I want to learn about him, from him. He has the right to keep whatever secrets he wants to.”

“Okay, Pumpkin. Make you a deal. Whenever you’re ready for me to meet this boy, I’ll decide on running a background check on him, okay?”

I smiled, “Okay, Daddy. Thank you.”

“But I’m just throwing this out there, I’m only doing this because you’ve never mentioned a boy that you liked. Never. But… one red flag comes up or I get a feeling about him, I’m running that check.”

I giggled, “Okay daddy. Thank you, again.”

I could hear his smile through the phone, “You’re welcome, Pumpkin. Now, get to the rest of the story.”

“Right, so I was out to grab a few drinks with Betty and Red before their wedding this weekend. And a waitress brought a glass of wine over, I sent it back of course.”

I knew he just nodded, when he said, “Of course.”

“It was him. He walked over when she brought it back, and one thing led to another, and Betty, the bitch who I want to curse said she was hungry. So…” I trailed off.

He started chuckling, “Lord, please tell me she said Denny’s. Shit’s fucking hilarious.”

If I could poke my tongue at him right now, I’d be doing it, but since I couldn’t do that, and he wouldn’t see it, I did the next best thing, “I’m not telling you now.”

And I didn’t expect him to say what he did next, “You don’t want me to run that check, you’ll tell me.”

I gasped, “That’s so messed up.”

He scoffed, “Hey, you were a great kid. Turned into an amazing young woman. Never had a fucking thing to use against you til now. I’m soaking it up.”

I snorted, “Har. Har. Har.”

Then I heard, “Continue please.”

So, I nodded, “Okay, so I invited him to… Denny’s.”

He started to cackle again.

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