Thirty Two - Drop out

The next few days passed painfully slowly. I avoided everyone, feeling like I was bursting at the seams with the secret my father had entrusted in me.

I spoke to Eric only on the phone a few times and only for short intervals. I knew if I saw him in person I'd want to tell him everything, and I gave my father my word that I wouldn't. So I spent those few days staring at the blank pages of my journal and watching television, hoping my dad would decide to make his announcement soon.

After five days, I decided to ask him about it. It was past ten o'clock at night, and he was in the kitchen, scooping vanilla ice cream into a bowl.

"Hi," I said and he turned, smiling at me.

"Hey," he said. "How was your day?"

I sat at the kitchen table, resting my chin in my palm. "