A Changed Life by Mary Wasowski Read Free Book Online Page A

shielded with my hands, “Simon, are you okay?” too embarrassed to look at him directly.
    “I’m ok, Nicolette. Is your dad always like this?”
    “Yes, my father is over protective, but his intentions come from a good place.”
    “I’m sure my brothers get the inquisition when they meet fathers, too.”
    “You mean to tell me this is your first time meeting a tough dad?” I was smiling at him.
    Simon shook his head and laughed. “Jennifer’s mom was the strict parent, her dad not so much. Jennifer was my first serious girlfriend, so I’m not that experienced in the dad department, like you think I am.”
    “No. I never—”
    “It’s cool, relax. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”
    “I’ll walk you out.”
    “It’s ok. See you tomorrow.”
    “Thank you, Dad.”
    I stood watching Simon leave, in complete shock; no kiss goodnight, a smile, nothing. He just got up and walked out. I ran up to my room, slammed the door shut, loud enough to be sure everyone heard it, including my father, who I was currently really pissed off at; and flopped down on my bed to cry.
    A knock came at my door. I tried ignoring it, until it became a little too persistent. I shouted, “LEAVE. ME. ALONE. YOU. RUINED. EVERYTHING.” Not caring if his feelings were hurt or not, because after all, he didn’t care just a few minutes ago about mine, or Simon’s for that matter.
    Oh shit! Simon. I bet he’ll never want to see me again. I mean, he seemed okay. Well, not really, he did get up quite quickly and make an excuse to having to leave. I’d be pissed. I’m not sure I’d want to ever see someone again who just put me through the third degree .
    The knocking persisted, with less meaning, as if he was about to give up. “Please, honey. Let me talk.”
    “Don’t you think you’ve done enough talking for one night? Go away!” I took my pillow and covered my tear stained face, trying to drown out the knocking and his voice. I didn’t want to hear his voice, not tonight, not right now.
    A kind and warm voice interrupted his knocking, “Honey, may I come in? I promise not to let your father in.”
    I leaped off my bed and pulled her in, not before giving my daddy the look of death and slamming the door once again, on him.
    I just hugged my mother and cried. My dad was always the one I leaned on, but not tonight. I couldn’t look at him right now.
    “Shh. It’s okay baby.” She was stroking my hair trying to calm me down. “Nicolette, please come sit with me on the bed.”
    I hugged my pillow and sobbed again, before I could speak to my mom.
    “Daddy humiliated me in front of Simon! His behavior was over the top and for what? Because, I came home late, it was only seven o’clock!”
    “Nicolette, did you ever think that maybe dad was just being dad? You never had a problem with your father being protective before. He is just behaving like he always has and for some reason, today he has humiliated you? Please…explain to me what he has done that was so wrong?”
    “Mom, you don’t get it. You and daddy want me to meet new friends and love California, and love my new life, so when something good happens to me like meeting Simon, he completely acts like my warden. He embarrassed me tonight, plain and simple. You’re right. He usually is my protector, but today was different. I truly like Simon, but after the way dad treated him, he may not want to see me again.”
    “If Simon is all that you say he is, then give him the benefit of the doubt before you decide he won’t see you again. As for your father…talk to him. He loves you with all his heart. Give him a bit of a learning curve when it comes to his only daughter; dating, growing up, and quite possibly falling in love.”
    I looked at my mom, “Is that what this is? Am I’m falling in love with Simon Paulson?”
    My mom smiled warmly, “Sweetheart, you tell me.”
    I hugged my mom with a fierce grip.
    “We shall see. Thanks, Mom, you’re