Page 11 of This I Promise You
“Well that’s good. Make sure you let me know if it gets worse, okay?” Dad says more than asks. “And don’t forget to take your meds.”
“Okay, Dad. I will, don’t worry about me.” I tell him. “I’m good. Promise.”
“So, met any guys?” Dad’s voice morphs into excitement. It’s weird. Like I knew growing up that he’d always be there for me, but I never expected him to ask if I found a guy. But he does, a lot, and it’s honestly sort of awesome.
“Nah, it’s a drought so far,” I laugh, telling myself not to say anything about last night’s hot asshole. Of course, I also fail to mention I’m not looking, and that even if I did, none of the guys I find attractive are going to want a chronically ill guy like me. He’d have something to say about that.
“What about Aidan? You two get along.” Dad refuses to let it go. And while I did have a crush on him when we first met—and made the mistake of telling Dad—he does have a boyfriend, plus he’s sitting right here, eyes wide and biting at his lip like he’s about to burst out laughing. Why me?
“Dad! He’s right here!” I remind him.
“Oh, darn it. Sorry, Aidan,” Dad apologizes. “Old man brain.”
“It’s all good, but yeah, I’ve got a boyfriend,” Aidan reminds him. It’s the second time in less than twenty-four hours he’s had to say it.
“Which I’vetoldyou before,” I remind Dad.
“I’ll try to find him someone, Mr. Belle.” Aidan eyes me down, trying not to laugh.
“Sorry.” Dad huffs again. “Well, there’s got to be someone out there. It’s Charlotte. Aren’t there supposed to be lots of gays there?”
“Yeah, but…” I shrug even though he can’t see, guess it’s more for A. My cheeks are burning up. A knows I don’t like him like that, but it’s still embarrassing. “Maybe one day.”
“No. There is nomaybe, only do.” Dad even makes his voice sound like Yoda, and I cringe inside for him even though A seems to be eating it up. The impersonation wasn’t even close.
“Please no,” I giggle.
“Alright. I gotta go anyway,” he laughs. “Love ya, bud. You too, Aidan.”
“Love you, Mr. Belle!” Aidan nearly screams, and I roll my eyes.
“Love you too, Dad.”
Paul
Fucking Goose
Waking up at six a.m. is always easy for me. No matter what time I go to bed, my body wakes me up bright and early. I used to hate it, but now it works in my favor. Working out early is so much better for my body and my mood. And let’s be honest, anything to boost my mood isinsanelywelcome. Especially lately.
Wednesday is cardio and it’s time for a five-mile run around campus.
I shuffle my Boys Like Girls/All Time Low running playlist and start running.
The squirrels here are larger than the ones at UMKC, which I didn’t think was possible, and there are geese everywhere! I’m just passing Panda Express when I almost run right into one. I keep running, but I see another just ahead and Iswearthat it’s staring me down. If I have to fight a goose today I will burn this entire campus to the ground. Oh shit, and now it’s coming closer. It’s moving fast toward the sidewalk. Surely the little shit can’t be coming for me. They’re everywhere, so surely they’re used to having people around. I pick up my pace to get past it, but it’s not enough. Its wings flare and it jumps me, it literally jumps me. I scream and leap away…right into another person.
Well shit!I think as we both fall hard into the grass. Limbs flailing everywhere, trying to get the upper hand. We land with me on my back and them in my arms on top of me. Their face is a blur, inches from mine, and I can feel their minty breath on my face. I lick my lips subconsciously and then I panic and throw them off of me to stand.
The killer goose is gone, deciding I’m no longer a threat, or so it seems, as it waddles off.
“Shit, shit, shit! Oh no! I’m so sorry, man. I didn’t mean to run into you. That fucking goose got in my way. I was just—You!” It’s him. The dude from open mic night. Out of the thirty-somethingthousandstudents on this campus I justhadto run into him? And over a damn bird.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” he says as he rounds on me. He’s pissed, but I’m more pissed ’cause I have to look at his face…again! He better not try me because today’s not the day. I just barely started my run.
“Like I said,” I start while I pick up my AirPods off the ground. My phone is strapped to my arm and I put my music on pause. This child isn’t worth me missing “The Great Escape”over. I’m taking my time on purpose and I can tell it’s making him even angrier. This is actually so fun. “I didn’t fucking mean to knock you over,dude. I was running and that goose— I shouldn’t have to explain myself. It is was a fucking accident. Get over it.” I try to keep my cool, but my blood starts to boil just from looking at him.
“Like hell it was!”
At this point I completely lose my shit. Petty doesn’t even begin to describe what is about to come out of my mouth. The nerve of this guy, the audacity, the gumption! “Yeah fucking right. Get over yourself, man. No one is fucking coming for you like that. You’re an idiot. Now move along back to Mommy.”
