I leaned back on the couch and flipped the TV on, trying to find something to take my mind off this awful situation. Even though I "knew" what my dad liked to watch, that didn't mean I wanted to watch it too. But ever since I saw my dad roll his eyes at me trying to catch up on Pretty Little Liars (it was "her" show now), I was more careful with my choices. So golf it was. God, this was boring.
So boring, in fact, that I couldn't help but doze off. I don't know how long I was out, but a cacophony of giggles suddenly broke my slumber. For a moment, in a haze, it felt like I was back with my normal friends, laughing about something stupid that happened at school. But as the world came back to me, I saw my baggy blue polo shirt, and khakis, and heard the drone of the golf announcer on the TV, and I realized how far from that world I still was.
I heard the laughter again, this time noticing the mix of high and low pitches, and got up to check it out. I could tell it was coming from the back yard, so I snuck into the kitchen to check it out. I smelled it first - the pina colada scented tanning lotion Kelly and I would slather on before laying out in the hot sun - wafting in through the open window. And sure enough, there they were. Sprawled on the deck loungers soaking up the sun, were my former best friend and my dad. In bikinis.
But wait a second - that wasn't any bikini I'd had in my drawers. It was brand new - a shade of purple I'm sure I would've loved. I mean, I knew he'd gone to the mall with my - er, I guess "her" - friends, but the idea of him finding and fitting into any of the clothes at the places I used to shop seemed absurd. I guess I still didn't want to believe it. Even though I knew well enough. All of his clothes were exactly my size now, and vice versa. Whatever made that happen obviously did the same to new acquisitions. I tried to imagine the shopping bags piled up in my former bedroom, filled to the brim with fashions I'd probably never be able to wear.
"You look so hot in that new bikini Vic," I heard Kelly say.
"You think so Kel?" My dad replied.
"If you wear that to Steph's pool party next weekend, Russell won't be able to keep his eyes off your boobs."
The two burst into a fit of giggles as I tried to steady myself against the kitchen counter. The exchange made my stomach turn knots. But for some reason I wanted to keep listening, as if I could have even the tiniest window back into my old life. I quickly grabbed my dad's laptop and took a seat at the kitchen table, absently flipping through pointless spreadsheets while discreetly glancing out the window.
"I can't believe he finally asked you out." Kelly prodded
"He's just a little shy, is all. Almost as shy as I was. I thought it was kinda cute, actually," my dad replied.
"Ugh, you're making me gag! Are you guys going out this Friday?"
"Yeah, he wants to take me to a movie. I hope it's not that stupid war one." I had to chuckle a bit - a month ago that would've been at the top of my dad's must-see list.
"Are you kidding?" Kelly replied, "War movies are great. Almost as good as horror movies. A big explosion and some violence is a perfect excuse to get a little closer, if you know what I mean."
"EW. I am not making out while people are getting their heads blown off. I'm not that thirsty."
"Suit yourself, prude."
They both laughed again, then I heard my dad ask. "So what should I wear?"
"I think that baby blue romper you just bought is perfect for a movie date."
"OMG you read my mind! Let's go see what shoes I have that go with it!"
"Sure, one sec!" I watched Kelly pick up and unlock a pink-cased iPhone. As if on cue, and without a second thought, my dad twisted and posed, cocking his head to one side. Kelly stuck out her tongue while my dad made a kissy face and held up a peace sign. Kelly snapped the selfie and the two giggled softly at the result, exactly the way she and I used to do all the time. Before I knew it, they had hopped up from the loungers and were picking up their towels to come inside.
My heart was racing. A pool party? A date? And with the guy I'd been crushing on for forever. It wasn't fair. It was awful, in fact! I had to do something.
"Hi Mr. Smith!" Kelly greeted me as they walked in off the deck.
"Hi Kelly. Victoria, sweetheart, can I talk to you for a second?"
My dad and Kelly exchanged a knowing look and a nod. "I'll be up in a minute," he said to her.
"K. I'm gonna try out that new nail polish!" She quickly darted up the stairs.
"What is it, daddy?" my father said sweetly, not the least bit embarrassed to be standing in front of me in a skimpy purple bikini.
