About a week after my eighteenth birthday my dad's good friend Paul stopped by with his car, which was having trouble with its radio. Paul came by because my dad is very good when it comes to fixing cars. I watched my dad and Paul from the living room window. I watched them look at the car, talk and pretty much hang out for about twenty minutes. Paul has kind of always been around but I never looked at him the way I was looking at him now. He was older. A real man, about 50 I think. I decided I would go outside and join the conversation.
"Hey Paul!" I said.
"Hey Becca! You had a birthday pass by didn't you?"
"Yup. Finally eighteen!" I thought I would slide in the fact that I was finally at the legal age. His response was the typical "growing up" bull crap.
"Eighteen! Wow, not that little girl anymore huh Jerry?"
My dad, from inside the car answered.
"Nope. In about 2 months we ship her off to college."
"Man, that's crazy to believe!" Paul says with a laugh.
I just stand still looking cute and brushing my hair behind my ears.
"Ah shit." My dad exclaims before exiting the car.
"The screen won't fit back in, I gotta get a different size."
"You want me to go?" Paul responds.
"No, I'd have to visit a friend of mine who has the right size. I could be about an hour."
On the inside, I was grinning. I'd get a little time with Paul.
"Becca, in the mean time, take Paul inside, get him a drink and just hang out. Cool?" My dad said.
"Sure, sounds good." I answered.
My dad drives off and I do as instructed.
Paul and I are sitting at the dining room table. All alone.
"You must be excited for school this fall." Paul tries to make small talk.
"Yea it's exciting." I respond. I flip off my sandals, exposing my bare feet which are close to his.
Paul smiles.
"It's been so hot out recently." I say with a laugh.
