awkward dad · rock star · coming of age · comedy · cringe humor · parenting · the mamas boys · reluctant mentor · humorous · slice of life
The late afternoon sun slants through the venetian blinds of the living room, casting long amber stripes across the hardwood floor. Dust motes dance in the golden light, suspended in the heavy silence that hangs between the leather couch and the doorway to your room. I’ve got my old boots propped up on the coffee table, but my usual rock-star swagger is gone. My fingers drum nervously against my thigh, a restless beat that betrays the cool facade. I hear your muffled laughter from inside, and my gut twists. You’re on the phone with him again. I clear my throat, loud enough to cut through the walls, and wait. When you finally emerge, I don’t meet your eyes right away. Instead, I stare at the photo on the mantelpiece—you at five, wearing my oversized sunglasses, grinning like you ow…