CHAPTER 7: DAD

"Henry, she wants to move in with three men!" Mom exclaimed, clearly upset, and stormed off to the kitchen in anger. "She came up with this plan without even discussing it with us."

"Colleen," Dad interjected calmly, which managed to stop her outburst. She was visibly distressed and surprised, but I had anticipated her reaction. "Please, Julianna, tell me the whole story."

I began to explain, "One of my friends is relocating to New Jersey. He currently shares an apartment with three roommates, and it's just a 15-minute walk from campus. However, since he's moving, he didn't renew the lease. His friends have been searching for someone to take his place in the apartment, and Carlo offered it to me. I met his roommates today, and it seems like a suitable place for a student to live."

Dad asked, "How much does the rent cost?" and I responded with a shrug.

"It's actually not that expensive; it's $643 a month," I informed him, to which he simply nodded and shrugged. "The location is convenient for both campus and work, and I believe it would greatly benefit my mental well-being, and I'd have the opportunity to make new friends. Dad, I think this is a fantastic chance."

"Hmm," he nodded thoughtfully and shrugged again. I waited for his next question, and he emphasized, "And there will be three men living there."

"I've already met two of them, and they all seem very friendly," I assured him.

"Now they seem friendly," Mom interjected skeptically. "Let's see how long that lasts."

"They're perfectly fine, Mom," I insisted. "I'll have my own room and personal space, and none of them would be interested in me anyway."

"I don't like it. I think you're rushing into this, and you might end up regretting it," Mom expressed her concerns again, and I sighed. Dad gave me a weak smile, and I nodded, understanding that Mom was just upset about the situation.

"Hey, Julianna, I think it might be worth considering," Dad said, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Henry," Mom warned him, crossing her arms, and he simply shrugged it off.

"But," he continued firmly, and Mom sighed. "Julianna, you need to understand that you'll be sharing a living space with these people for an entire year. Once you sign the lease, you're committed to them, whether you end up liking them or not after a few weeks." I nodded because I was already aware of that.

I felt confident that I could handle it even if one of them turned out to be difficult to get along with. I had strong opinions and was adept at resolving problems, so it wouldn't be the end of the world.

"I understand, Dad," I sighed. "But I can take care of myself. I've grown up, and I'm eager to be independent."

"Listen, both your mother and I want the best for you," Dad continues speaking, and I lean my elbows on the countertop in front of me. "I just want you to be safe and financially secure. We can't contribute more money for your education than what we already do."

"I understand," I acknowledge, and he agrees. "I'm going to go through with it, Dad. I'm confident in my decision, but I'd feel better if I knew you and Mom wouldn't be upset."

"I'm not angry, I'm just concerned," Mom interjects, persistent as ever, and I let out a sigh.

"Okay, how about we do this?" Dad suggests as he takes the lease document from me. "I'll send this to my lawyer to review. We'll discuss how to create a budget with your finances, and then we'll see if it's feasible."

My parents had no idea about the amount of money I had saved up. They probably assumed my earnings from the pool would cover most of my expenses. But if I could show them, it might put Dad's worries to rest.

"And when you're ready to sign the lease, I want to accompany you to inspect the place and make sure it's safe. I don't want you living in subpar conditions," he insists, and I quickly nod in agreement. "So, if these conditions are met, are we in agreement to proceed?"

"Absolutely!" I reply with enthusiasm. They've given me the green light to move whenever I'm ready.

"So, when do you plan to leave?" Mom asks, and I shrug my shoulders.

"I was thinking of moving in about a week from now, just to settle in before school starts. I also need to check my credit," I explain with a shrug, noticing a hint of sadness on Mom's face. Jesse, my younger sibling, was about to enter his final year of high school, and I knew Mom wasn't prepared to be a single parent.

"Alright, then, young lady, it's time to get your life in order," Dad says, and I can't help but smile. I skip around the kitchen island and throw my arms around him. He whispers, "Be kind to your mother," and I nod in agreement.

"I'm grateful for your willingness to help," I whisper back, and he envelops me in a warm hug.

He takes the lease and heads down the hall to his study, presumably to fax it, and I turn to my mom.

"Until today, I didn't even know this was an option. If I had, you know I would have discussed it with you," I remind her, and she nods, turning away. "We've talked about 'the day I move out' for a while now, and-"

"I just didn't expect it to come so soon," she whispers, and I smile as I walk around the island to hug her. "Who wants to join me for some TV?" she softly asks, and I smile and give her a tight squeeze.

"Mom," I inform her, and she lets out a small laugh. "I'm ready for this, Mom. I'm excited to be young and not have to endure those long bus rides just to have a little freedom. But remember, I'm not going to a different state; I'm still in the city."

"I understand," she sighs, loosening her grip on me and then vigorously rubbing my arms. "But please, promise me you'll stay in touch?"

"I swear I will," I reassure her, and she smiles.

"And please, be cautious around those boys you're planning to live with because you don't really know them yet," she reminds me, and I let out a sigh.

"Don't worry, Mom. We've agreed to respect each other's space and be good roommates, okay?" I assure her, and she nods, indicating her understanding. "I know it would make you feel better if I'd known them for a long time, but I wouldn't jump into something that wasn't a good idea without thinking it through."

"I know," she just shrugs and agrees. Giving me another hug, I sigh, feeling sympathetic for my mom. I've been both her friend and her daughter, but now it's time for me to move forward and meet new people. "I'll miss you."

"I haven't gone anywhere yet," I remind her, and she nods. "But I'll miss you too," I acknowledge, and she hugs me even tighter.

"Wow, what's all the commotion out here?" Jesse laughs as he enters the kitchen, grabbing a bag of chips from the counter.

"Julianna is leaving," Mom sighs, and I gently step away from her hug.

"Wow, that's fantastic!" Jesse doesn't hold back his excitement as he opens the bag of chips. "I thought you'd never leave!"

"Enough already, young man," Mom chides, placing her hands on her hips.

"Put those away; your dad is preparing dinner."

"I'll quickly put my things away before dinner," I say softly, and she nods.

I stroll down the hallway of our bungalow and switch on the lights in my room. Admittedly, I still had a twin bed, which was less than ideal. But, overall, my room was tidy and simple. I had redecorated it in the 11th grade to make it more reflective of me. Placing my bag on the desk chair, I start searching for my phone.

So much stuff to take care of.