Yard Party

I woke Dad up with my vacuum in the living room.

"Does this mean the date went badly?"

"Mahina's coming over for dinner tonight."

A long pause. The vacuum stopped. Dad had unplugged it.

"Son, it's not even six in the morning. Have you slept?"

I shook my head no.

Dad came over, putting his forehead against mine. "There's time. You need to sleep, Son. If you are anxious in your own home, how do you think Mahina will feel? You need to relax."

Derrick chose that moment to drag himself out of his room, looking at me bleary-eyed. Apparently, I woke him up as well.

"Why don't you go for a run with Derrick? Pound some of that anxiety out with your two feet."

Dad threw a look at Derrick. "If you don't mind? I'll put some coffee on for you."

Derrick gave a yawn but nodded yes and headed back to his room to change.

"Son, it is the man experiencing tension. The wolf is fine; trust me. Keep yourself all man."

I only nodded as Dad pulled the vacuum from my hands and wound up the cord.

I thought abo