Dad, Dan, and Pete are in a car. Pete is directly behind Dad in the driver’s seat. Dan is next to Pete looking out the window with his headphones on.
Dad: You know, Dan, there’s a rowing competition in one of the lakes around where we’re going to be.
Dan doesn’t answer.
Dad: Hey, Dan. Dan, there’s a-
Pete: He has his headphones on, Dad.
Dad looks over his shoulder at Dan.
Dad: Hey. Dan.
Dan: What.
Dad: Hey, there’s a rowing competition in one of the lakes around where we’re going to be.
Dan: When?
Dad faces forward again.
Dad: Oh, in the fall, it’s not going to be going on while we’re there. I just thought you might think it’s interesting.
Dan stares for a few seconds, unimpressed, and puts his headphones back on.
Dad: I mean if you’re interested maybe we can come back-
Pete: His headphones are on again, Dad.
Dad: Oh.
Dad looks around for a few moments, thinking of what to do next. Then he stares back at Dan who gets the point and takes off his headphones.
Dad: Why don’t you leave those off for a while? Who needs an iPod when we’ve got three guys with vocal chords? What can we talk about? How’s school going?
Pete: Good.
Dad: Dan?
Dan: Good.
Dad: Could you be more specific?
Pete: We watched a documentary on China and isolationism.
Dad: Oh, yeah? That sounds interesting. How ‘bout you, Dan?
Dan: Same shit as always.
Dad: Alright, alright. You don’t want to talk. That’s fine. I just thought it would be nice to catch up a little. You boys are so busy lately. I’m pretty busy myself. It’s just nice to have some time-
Dan: Still talking?
Dad looks down, defeated. He blinks once for a long time. Dan puts his headphones back on.
Dad: Hey, look at those cows. You guys remember those cows at that farm we went to when you were little? Remember you got to milk them and everything? Wasn’t that fun?
Dan: Yeah, it’s hard to forget when you bring it up every time we get a new carton of milk.
Dad: Oh, so you can hear over that music?
Dan doesn’t answer. There is a long pause.
Pete: Those cows were real cool, Dad.
Dad (sighs): Thanks, Pete.
I really feel bad for the dad. All his attempts had been undermined.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of the everyday relationship that kids have with their parents, and how they never really want to talk about their day and give vague answers. It's kinda sad, actually.
ReplyDelete