Her Dad’s Best Friend

"I'm going to ask them to box all of this up. There's no point in being here anymore." He flags down a waiter. "Boxes, please."

I don't want to cry, but I'm pretty close to it. I'm upset because this was supposed to be a nice dinner. And if I hadn't given Link a foot job under the table and chased him to the bathroom, we would probably be eating a nice meal.

Now his jacket is here, but he is nowhere to be seen. I wish that I just kept my foot to myself.

A waiter clears our dishes. Two minutes later, all the food is in to-go containers. My dad is shrugging into his jacket. Both of us look at Link's jacket.

"I want to burn it," my dad says. He sighs. "But that would make our tailor mad." He picks it up, putting it over his arm. "Let's go home."

The car ride home is dead silent. We've said what we need to say. He knows about my scandalous love affair that never was. I know that he's upset about it.

I stare out my window. Then we're parking in our garage.

"Sweetie."

"Dad."

He squeezes my hand. "I'm really disappointed in you."

I'm crushed. This is way worse than my dad getting angry and fighting Link.

"But I love you." He sighs as he releases my hand.

"Thanks, Dad."

"And you're going away to school tomorrow, so you'll be far away from his corrupting influence."

I don't say anything. I don't go to school on the moon.

"Stay away from him, okay? And then I can forgive you."

"I'm not going to promise that."

My dad's left hand, the one that is still on the steering wheel, tightens.

"You can't see him. He's my age, not yours."

"We haven't even gotten started," I protest.

"And if I have anything to say about it, you never will. Date boys your own age."

"I don't want to!" I feel like a stupid teenager, but I'm an adult now. "I want Link."

"You can't have him," my dad roars. "Or I'll cut you off."

Being cut off is one of my worst fears. I know how hard it is to keep a job and study. Most people who work and study do the minimum to be considered a full-time student. In contrast, I take twice the full-time load.

I call his bluff. "Then cut me off."

He pulls out his phone. He opens a banking app and freezes my credit card as lost.

"I'll do the rest on Monday."

We're at a standstill. He can't dictate where I go and who I see, but he can take away all of my money. My tuition, room, and board have already been paid for during this semester, but I'm going to have to get a job.

"Thanks a lot, Dad." I can't stop a hint of bitterness in my voice. I slam the car door as I get out and head to my room. I'm catching a ride with Kelly tomorrow, so I have to be packed before I go back to school. I'm mostly packed, but I shove a bunch of stuff into my backpack. I look at my phone. I send Link a text, "Hey."