“So you’re a musician,” I said, once we were back to my room.
He looked dazed and was glancing nervously at the door.

“Do you think we should do it? I mean we’re at your home where your parents are, shouldn’t you and I be out with them instead of coming to your room? I don’t think this is right.”

“You’re crazy. My parents know exactly what the relationship between us is. There is nothing to hide and we deserve some privacy. There are things I needed to talk to you about,” I went and climbed onto his lap.

“No, Phoebe, don’t,” he groaned, trying to push me away, “I don’t feel so comfortable getting intimate when your parents are here.”

“You’re a creep. Other boys would dearly love to put all these behind at the first opportunity to embrace a girl,” I turned away, scooting away from him, to the corner of my bed.

“Look, I have made mistakes in my life and I need to rectify myself,” he tried to convince me.

“Mistakes like bad behaviour, punching someone, getting arrested and little trifles you never mentioned to me, right?” I remarked, casually dangling my legs from the edge of the bed.

“How did you know?” there was pure panic in his voice.

“I talked with a few guys from college, but I would have liked you to tell that to me. Why do I have to hear about your life from second-hand sources?” I looked away.

“Look, everything has a time to say. Maybe this wasn’t the right time to bring my past. I didn’t mean to hide it. I would have told you eventually. But it’s good that you heard it. I have one thing less to worry about between us,” he muffled as he slid closer to me, putting an arm around me.

I sagged in his arms, unable to hold up my accusations anymore.

“I actually don’t care where you came from. I’m more interested in where you’re going and I believe you’ve changed a lot. I saw evidence of your temper only under extreme circumstances and I believe I won’t see that again unless situations change drastically,” I planted my face in his chest.

He enfolded me in his arms, “Thanks for trusting me. I wouldn’t fail you…”

“I want to see how you play.” I changed the subject.

“I could show you if you come over to my house.”

“I can’t wait. I’ll show you something,” I winked, jumping down from the bed.

I ran out of the room, leaving him bewildered.

I burst into Daddy’s room without knocking, only to find him kissing mom.

“Oh!” I turned back as quickly as I had come, utterly embarrassed and as I debated whether to go out.

“Phoebe,” my mom called and I turned back abruptly. My cheeks felt hot.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“Umm, father’s guitar…” I fidgeted with my hands, unable to meet her eyes.

“Go take it,” she waved her hand.
Thankfully I got it without much searching and hurried out of the room.

“Stop,” my mother said.

I stopped in my tracks.

“Knock the next time you come in darling,” she came right up to me and made me face her, “You’re mature enough to understand what love is. So I think you’ll give us the privacy that we give you.”

“I’m sorry, mom. I didn’t mean to,” I blurted. “I was too excited to hear him play and dad doesn’t stay here for most of the time, and I completely forgot you two were here and I messed up.”

“It’s okay champ,” dad said, “I hope you’re as open-minded to our making out as we’re to yours.”

“I am an adult,” I straightened up and met his eyes, “I know things and understand things. It’s a part of growing up. But you’re completely wrong about me and Daniel. Our relationship isn’t of that kind”

“Look, I don’t want to know about your private lives but I do know you care about each other. As a father, your safety is the only thing that matters to me,” he smiled broadly.

“I threw myself around him, wrapping him into a hug, “You’re the best Daddy in the world. I had never expected you both to be so liberal.”

My mother sat on the bed and hugged us both and the little happy family sat there for a moment, savouring the family reunion we rarely had.

Finally, my father stirred. He kissed my cheeks and winked, “You don’t want to keep your boyfriend waiting, do you?”

“Oh no,” I scrambled away, suddenly remembering Daniel, “Sorry for the interruption and umm you can continue umm, whatever you were doing.”

“Phoebe!”

I rushed out of the room, smiling like a lunatic.