Chapter 10

         When dad called to me, Joshua led me back downstairs and out the door. He said that he'd see me tomorrow, and I smiled and got into the car. Father turned on the music, and for a moment I was deafened. Obviously someone had touched the volume when the car was off. Probably Father, when he was smoking. I could tell he'd smoked only moments ago.

        Once the music was turned down to a reasonable level I nodded my head to the song. “We got 86-400 seconds in the day, to turn it all around, or to throw it all away, gotta tell 'em that we love 'em while we got the chance to say, gotta live like we're dying!” I loved Kris Allen's voice.

        When we arrived home, Father turned off the car, but didn't get out. He sat, breathing slowly.

        So I didn't get out either. He wanted to say something.

        “So, Izzy.” Oh gosh, his voice held a form of teasing, but at the same time...concern? “Do you like that Joshua boy?” Oh, god. “Is he nice to you?”

        “Yeah, Joshua's nice.” I avoided his question. Don't catch on, don't catch on, don't catch-

        “You didn't answer my question.” Dang!

         “He's a friend of mine, Father, I don't like him that way. If you haven't noticed, I've got enough going on in my life at the moment, I don't have time for a...boyfriend.”

        He let out a huge gush of air. “Thank god!” He said. “I thought we were going to have to have...the talk.”

         I cringed. The talk.

         “That's really not necessary-”

        “Let's just pretend this conversation never happened. I'm as happy about avoiding that particular topic as much you are.” He interrupted,

        “So...can we go inside now?” I ask.

        “I have one more thing to tell you.” He says.

        “Yeah?”

        “Grandfather's sick.” He says now, serious. “The doctors say it's not that bad. So don't worry. I just wanted to let you know that Grandfather needs a lot of rest right now, and to try not to disturb him.”

        “Sick, how?” I ask, worried.

        “Most likely just a cold.” He says.

        “Alright.” Now that I think back, I realize that I hadn't seen Grandfather since yesterday, and he had sounded a little sick. 

        But Father said not to worry, so I won't. And I wouldn't disturb Grandfather, either. That way, Grandfather will get better, and everything will be back to normal. I hope.