Eric’s dad sat at a table in the living room. Eric passed him on his way to the front door. He was holding his gym bag.
“Finish your homework?” he asked.
The checkbook was out. It was the time of the month to pay bills. There was a laptop on the table too.
Eric’s family wasn’t poor. But they didn’t have a lot of money. Unlike many of his friends, both his parents worked. Eric often heard them talking about money. The conversation was usually about how tight it was.
Eric knew his dad was probably in a bad mood. Paying the bills made him grouchy.
“Yeah,” Eric said. “I didn’t have much today.”
His dad eyed the gym bag. “Don’t you normally go to the center before you come home?” he asked.
“I’m not going to the center,” Eric said.
“Where are you going?”
It would have been easier to lie. He didn’t want to. Acting like he didn’t know Dan at school was one thing. Eric didn’t want to do that at home. He shouldn’t have to. Especially since the families knew each other. There was a history.
“Dan’s.”
Eric’s dad stared at him. His face was blank.
Eric moved toward the door. He put his hand on the doorknob. One turn and he’d be out of the house. He could avoid talking about Dan with his dad.
“Eric, why are you hanging out with her? Him?”
Eric looked at his dad.
“I don’t like you hanging out with Dan Bonum.”
“It’s only for the tournament, Dad.”
Eric didn’t want to say more about the competition. What if he and Dan both won? They would face each other. Everybody would see the match. Eric tried not to think about it.
“You’re wrestling each other. Eric, you’ve got to be much stronger than Dan. You could hurt him.”
Him. Eric’s dad had used the correct pronoun. This was progress.
“Dan’s tough.”
“You’ve gone over there before? Didn’t I tell you I don’t want—”
“Dad,” Eric interrupted. “I’m not going to become like Dan.”
“What will people say?”
“We’re not rolling in public. We’re in his house.”
Eric’s dad sighed. He shook his head.
“Besides,” Eric went on. “It’s just until tournament. I need to roll. Sensei Chen wants us to take it easy. I don’t want to lose my intensity.”
“And Dan helps you?”
“Daddy?” Madison had walked into the room. “When’s Mommy coming home?”
“She’ll be home soon. I’m about to start dinner.”
“I’ll be back in an hour and a half.” Eric quickly went outside. He jogged down the street. Outside, he felt free. The air was fresh.
Eric loved competing on the mat. He loved the fight. Real life sucked. Confrontation was hard. But lately confrontation off the mat seemed to be the norm.