Change in plan

You were packing your new and freshly laundered clothes when there was a knock on your door.

"Bad news, Summer," your dad announced stepping into your room. "Work called, a project that was supposed to be wrapping up is unraveling, so I've got to cancel our plans until the mess is contained.

Canceling, or postponing, your fishing trips wasn't exactly new given the frequency you went on them with your dad, it was rare, but inevitable, that one would get out off every now and then and normally you were fine with it, but upon hearing the news, you felt a lump grow in your throat.

"Oh— Okay," you respond, turning to stare at your half-packed bag.

Without another word, your dad put a hand on your shoulder, patted a few times, then left.

Your shoulder felt cold after your dad's hand left it. You reach up to cover it with your own hand and resort to unpacking with just one hand.

Just about when you were done unpacking, your cellphone vibrated to your pocket.

"can i c u? Want 2 talk"

It was a text from Alex. Before thinking about it you text back telling him tomorrow at your place. Everyone else would be gone at work.

Guilt gnaws at you as you slip in bed and pull your covers over you. You hadn't done anything wrong and you weren't planning on doing anything wrong, but somehow, having talked to Alex twice now, and agreeing to meet up with Alex made you feel like you were betraying Gwen.