unexpected

Your father took a long slow sip of his black coffee, “You want to be a girl and date boys? I know you weren’t exactly the most masculine of boys but-”

“I just...I want to be happy and being a boy doesn’t make me happy daddy. Being a girl...all my life I felt like I was trapped and claustrophobic somehow but..when I’m out as a girl I just don’t feel that way anymore. Just being me...it makes me happy daddy. As for dating…” You squeezed Brian’s hand and looked up to him with a soft smile. “Brian makes me happy too.” You lingered on Brian’s face before you turned back to face your father.

He stared at you for an eternity behind his black coffee, the sound of metal scraping against a grill and other people’s hushed conversations dropped away leaving only the sound of your heart frantically pounding in your ears as you gripped Brian’s hand tighter. “You’re my kid.” He said simply. In an instant, you felt the whole world breathe again. “No matter what you do or how old you get that ain’t ever gonna change.” His words filled you with a warmth you’d never known before. “I don’t know...much of anything about all that,” he sighed, setting his coffee down, “but I do know that much. I still say you need something to fall back on in case this whole dance thing doesn’t work out.”

Your smile threatened to break as you let out a dry chuckle. “She’s a great dancer.”

“I know that. His mother was an amazing dancer too.”

“Um...her?”

“What?”

“I’m a her….”

He nodded for a moment trying to accept the new information, “Right. Her mother. **** of habit.” he said as casually as he said everything else before turning his attention to Brian. “But I still want...her to have a fallback. It isn’t easy to make a living on being a dancer. Ask your mother.”

“I can find work daddy. Even if it isn’t dancing, for now, just something to get by until I can. Dance is as much a part of me as my own hand or my foot.”

He sipped at his coffee again before checking his watch. “I suppose there’s a certain irony in that.”

“Sir?”

He waved you off, “Walk me to my car.” Brian stood with the both of you before your dad turned to him, his height matching Brian’s. In the wild, certain animals often avoid meeting eyes for fear of provoking an attack but each man had set his eyes onto the other. Their eyes burrowed into one another, digging deep into each other’s souls to let the other know exactly who they were and what they were capable of. Each of them planting their flag and marking the lines and daring the other to cross just to see the hell they would rain down on the other. On each side of those lines stood Doe behind each man. Finally, the goading stares broke when each man nodded to one another. “Nice to have met you, Brian.” Your father held out his large calloused hand that you still believed could turn coal into diamonds if he had a mind to try.

Brian shook his hand firmly, never losing his gaze as he squeezed his hand. “Nice to meet you too sir.”

Again they nodded to one another before releasing one another. Your dad put his arm around you as you both walked to his truck. It was strange at first but it reminded you of when you were little and he would walk with you back home after another attempt at baseball or basketball. It felt safe, reassuring, and reminded you of freshly cut grass and sunsets. In a word, it felt like home.

Brian walked with you as far as the door before stopping and watching your dad lead you off to the truck. “He seems decent enough.” Your dad said suddenly.

“He is.”

He stopped at his truck turning to face you. “Is he good to you?”

“He has.”

“Good, if he ever does anything you don’t like let me know. There’s always a space for him under a parking garage somewhere.”

“...you’re joking right?”

“...for legal reasons let’s say yes.”

“Daddy!” You laughed nervously.

“Look, I ain’t ever had a daughter....so keep that in mind. I’m bound to mess up. But I’ll try. For you.” You felt tears welling up in your eyes again as you hugged him with all your might. Slowly he hugged you back, pulling you into his embrace. You felt immediately safe within his arms as you sank deeper. After several minutes you broke away from the hug wiping your eyes. It was hard to believe this was the same man from your childhood. “It was good to see you again.” He turned and stepped into his truck with a small grunt. The truck was a normal F-150 but for some reason, you felt even smaller-looking up at him in the window. “You’re mother’s going to be surprised when she hears the news she’s got a daughter.”

“Um...can you...not tell her? I think I should be the one to tell everyone.”

“....okay.” He smiled. He cranked up the truck and turned back one more time locking eyes with you. “Remember what I said. No matter what, I’m still your dad, and you’re still my kid.” With that stunning statement, he backed out of the parking spot before driving off.

“....I love you too.” You said softly knowing somehow he heard you say it back as you had heard him say it in the first place. You ran back to Brian and leaped into his arms squealing, happily, feeling light as a feather. Brian caught you in his arms hardly making any effort to hold up your slight frame.

"Good talk with your dad?"

"The best!" You giggled, kissing Brian's cheek. "Now how about those waffles." Brian smiled as he carried you back inside.