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artist,”  I teased back.  Meg and I joined art club because it looked good on college applications, was fun, and the people in there were easy to like and get along with.
     
    “I heard Jay went out for swimming and made the team,”  Meg said while looking at me curiously for a response.  I just nodded my head.  “Wonder what he looks like in a swimsuit?”  I turned and tapped her hand with my paint-soaked paintbrush.  “Hey, just sayin’!”  she snickered as she walked away to wash off the paint. 
     
    In Algebra, I was treated to a sick display of Becca in all her glory.  She had on a very tight white shirt that was cut low and a short flowy miniskirt.  She kept giggling and writing notes...passing them to Jay.  I felt like gagging.  He blushed a few times, chuckled a little, and wrote back and passed it to her.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  I guess the stressful event bond we had was wearing off.  I didn’t want to watch them, but I couldn’t help it.  I wondered what was on those papers but knew I would never know.  I couldn’t help feeling pissed off; jealous.  My mood was spoiled for the day.  I slammed my locker, avoided all eye contact, and I didn’t even look Jay’s way at lunch.  Meg could tell something was up but she didn’t mess with me.  She knew I just needed space.  I needed to let this Jay fantasy go.  He was out of my league - he could have any girl. I was dreaming big and needed a big fat reality pinch.  WAKE THE HELL UP!
     
    Before the day was out the Blonde-squad dropped another “loser” on me.  Jay “accidentally” bumped into me while walking, not once...but twice.  I didn’t look up either time.  I didn’t acknowledge him.  I was glad it was Friday so I could recenter and be away from the drama of high school. 
     
    At dinner that night Mom told me my dad wanted to take me to dinner on Saturday.  “Why is he trying to have a relationship with me now?  I don’t get it.  I’m almost an adult, he missed a huge chunk of my life.  I don’t need him now.”  This day felt like that book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”
     
    “I don’t know sweetie.  My guess is that he has a new girl he’s trying to impress...one with kids of her own and he’s trying to make a good impression.  Or maybe he was too selfish to be able to help raise you, but now that you are self-sufficient, he wants back in, or maybe he doesn’t want to pay child support anymore.”  Mom was grasping at straws.  None of her reasons included him getting to know me because he missed me.  “Maybe you’ll get a better feel of things after the dinner.”
     
    “Why are you ok with this?”  I asked.
     
    “I’m not sweetie - but a court battle can be costly and ugly.  I guess I’m hoping that you both either realize it’s ok to have a relationship or that it’s not and we can move on,”  she admitted.
     
    Saturday evening came quick and I dressed in a skater style short dress with black leggings.  My dad rang our bell and told my mom he’d have me back after dinner.  He looked older and shorter than I remembered.  He still had a full head of hair and was fairly attractive for a middle age guy.  As I walked to the car I could make out two other people in the car.  I got in the back seat.  My dad got in front and turned to face me.  Brogen, this is Becca and her mom Linda.  They will be joining us for dinner.”  I looked at the girl in the backseat with me and it was Becca from SCHOOL!.  Oh my God.  Now I had to be cordial to her and her mom.  I painted on the best fake smile I could. 
     
    “How do you know them?” I asked.
     
    “Linda and I work together across town and her daughter, Becca, goes to your school.  Have you met before?”
     
    “Not formally.” I remarked, then I turned to Becca and tried to look as carefree as possible.  “Nice to meet you Becca.”  She returned the fake smile and shook my