CHAPTER 15
Brittney
We get Isabella put to bed, and she’s out like a light immediately.
The three of us had so much fun this evening, but now it’s time for a different kind of fun for the two of us.
I take a quick shower while Sean cleans up. How thoughtful of him to do the dishes. He’s definitely going to get rewarded for that.
Out of the blue the doorbell rings. Awfully late for a visitor I think, as I towel off in the bedroom.
I move closer to the bedroom door and I absolutely freeze when I hear the voice. It sends chills up my spine and my eyes bulge.
“Hey buddy! Thought I’d surprise you. How you been?”
“Hey Rick,” Sean says. “Well, you’ve definitely surprised me.”
I hear the sound and pacing of boots walking across the floor and it’s instantly identifiable.
Rick as in Rick Upton…my dad!
“Mind if I grab a beer?” he asks.
“Have a seat,” Sean says. “I’ll get it for you.
My eyes dart toward the bed as I sort through my clothes. Thank god I didn’t start stripping in the living room. Everything’s accounted for and it’s a race to see how quickly I can get dressed without making a sound.
“You seem a bit frazzled. Everything okay?” I hear my dad ask.
“You know me,” Sean says. “Everything is always okay.”
“Okay. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t have a hot date lined up tonight or anything.”
“I’m too old for a big night out on the town these days,” Sean says.
I’m glad he didn’t deny he had a hot date while still answering my dad’s question. He’s always got my back, even in the most trying of times.
“So you don’t mind if I stay over?”
“No, no problem at all,” Sean says, raising his voice. He must have heard the water shut off a few minutes ago and knows I’m out of the shower. “Couch pulls out, no prob.”
“Hate to ask you this, brother, but I’ve been flying for two days straight. Afghanistan to all the way here, and then the cab ride. Do you mind if I sleep on a proper bed tonight? Next dinner is on me.”
“No problem. The bed is all yours.”
“Great,” he says. “Cheers.” I hear the beer bottles clink.
“If you don’t mind I’ll grab a quick shower. Don’t want to dirty up your couch.”
“You got it. Just let me check and make sure the hot water heater’s on. It might need a minute to warm up.”
“Cold water is even better. It’s hotter than two rats screwing in a sock in the middle of summer over there in Afghanistan.”
I hear my dad’s boots again, and I grab my purse and dart towards the closet.
Just as I slide the door closed I hear him enter the room.
“Water okay, Rick?”
“Sure it will be fine. Thanks, buddy.”
I look through the slats in the closet door as my dad pulls his shirt up over his head. He makes his way through the bedroom and into the bathroom. I’m just waiting to hear the water turn on and him to start whistling and I’m out of her immediately!
I reach for the knob, waiting for the moment. I hear the water, but don’t hear the shower curtain. My dad is an old school Marine. He may not even close it. Rats!
I start to pull the knob towards me when suddenly I see my dad walk back through the bedroom…in his underwear!
I close my eyes tight, but remember I can’t. I have to watch this no matter how painful the idea of seeing my dad in a compromised state might be. Just keep your eyes at head level, I tell myself, not that I need any reminding.
“Hey buddy. That first one went down too quick. Can I grab another?”
“I’ll bring it to you.”
“Thanks, man!”
Suddenly my dad is cutting through the bedroom again and as he’s walking away he slides out of his tighty whities. Oh my god! Gross! I can’t believe this is happening.
I hear the water hitting the base of the shower, and then it stops. He’s in!
I prepare to pull the knob again and take a deep breath. Just as I’m about ready to make a run for it, the water hits the base of the shower again. What in the world is he doing?
Then, I get the sight that will give me nightmares for the rest of my life.
“Where does he keep the damn towels,” my dad says as he walks right toward the closet I’m in!
I take a step back and slide behind an oversized coat. Thank god New York City gets cold winters and Sean is huge.
I’ve got my body turned sideways and my shoes pointing forward when the doors come flying open.
“There we go,” he says, and I hear my dad reach up for a towel on the shelf above the hangers.
He shuts the doors and I open my mouth breathing out a sigh of relief.
“Pink! What the hell? Not being out in the field is making him soft.”
A second later the doors fly open again and I can see my dad’s wet feet. He’s standing on his tiptoes looking for a towel that he feels is masculine enough for him. Oh my god, dad! It’s just a towel. No one’s even going to see you…except maybe your own daughter right now! So disgusting.
The doors shut again and I’ve learned my lesson. I stay in position and wait until I hear the break in the water again.
I slide back towards the handles and the doors fly open!
My whole body pulls back and I almost scream!
“Sean!” I mouth.
He points toward the door, and as I slide out he gives me a quick pat on the behind.
“Don’t come out, Rick. Don’t want to see anything that might make us not friends anymore. I’ll set your beer next to the sink.”
“Can’t hear you,” my dad says and I hear Sean’s loud fake cough just as I round the corner ducking out of the bedroom.
“Dude! Cover that thing up!” Sean says.
I tiptoe towards the door, turn the handle and turn the lock as I step outside and then slowly and quietly close the door.
I go to turn and walk away, but in my nervousness I decide an all out sprint is better…or not. I trip and sideswipe a garbage can sending it toppling over. Of course it’s not one of the new plastic ones owned by 99% of the American population. It’s an old galvanized steel one. I fumble with the garbage bags, stacking them back inside as the car alarm next to me starts wailing in my ear. I set the can upright and take off running.
“Thief! Get him!” a man’s voice yells as I find myself sprinting away from a bad situation once again.
I never thought I would be so happy to be called a man before. At least they’ll be looking for the wrong person.
And that’s just how I would describe my dad. He was the absolute wrong person to show up at the worst possible minute, but somehow I got out of there without getting detected…I think.