Finding Home

On the Drive Home

Merit

There are only a few minutes left in class when Professor Thomas starts addressing the class. “I know some of you have been looking forward to the figure drawing segment of our class. I have good news for you, we will have a live model for Tuesday, so don’t be late! I’ll see you then, have a good weekend.”

I finish cleaning my paintbrushes while the other students put away their supplies and start to head out. As I’m heading back to my station, Professor Thomas walks over.

“Hey Merit, I was wondering if you had time this semester to TA the intermediate painting course?”

I have been searching for a work study job, so this is the perfect opportunity. During my previous semesters I worked in the cafeteria since it allowed me the flexibility I need with my art courses. I never thought I could be a TA for the art school. I mean, my paintings are good, but the TAs I’ve had were always next-level-good.

I realize Professor Thomas is still waiting for an answer and clear my throat. “I am so honored you’re asking me, but I don’t know if I’m qualified to help teach.”

“Don’t be silly, Merit. You are one of my best students. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think you were up to it. So, what do you say?”

“Yeah, I’d love that. I have another class to get to right now, though.”

“That’s okay, I’ll email you with the details. There are two sections of that course. I’m hoping you can cover both, but let me know how it works with your schedule.”

“Thanks, Professor Thomas.”

“You know I have my students call me Kyle, I insist. Have a good class!”

*****

I swing by the art studio to grab my sketchbook before leaving campus for the day. My last class got out early and I told my roommates that I would grab some groceries on the way to the apartment. When I decided to go to art school, I chose the Somerset Institute in part because it was so close to home. It gives me the best of both worlds, rent is cheap and I still get to have the college experience while being near my family.

My apartment is only a few miles from the house I grew up in and I share it with three guy friends, Carey, Rivers, and Mitchell. I’ve known Carey for as long as I can remember because he was in my preschool class and our moms were friends growing up. Rivers didn’t move to town until we were in high school but we bonded over being middle children and have been friends since then. I met Mitchell by chance at Somerset Institute. We run in different crowds since he is a jock and I am decidedly not. We were roommates freshmen year and you know what they say about opposites attracting…

While I’m on the expressway, my phone starts to ring. I look at the smart stereo and see that it is Whitney. I bite back a sigh and press the button to answer the call.

“Hey hun, when are you coming over?” Whitney whines.

“Uh, I’m not. I told you that I was going home early today. The party is tomorrow.”

“Oh yeah. I forgot. What time do I need to be there again?”

“It starts at 2 pm, but you don’t have to come if you’re busy,”I assure her.

“Of course I’ll be there! Your mom invited me, I can’t miss it.” I’m not going to tell her my mom was clearly hoping Whitney wouldn’t be able to attend and that mom only offered because Whitney walked in while I was on the phone with my parents planning the party.

“Plus, I can’t let my man go to a party without me,” Whitney adds.

“It’s not that kind of party, Whitney. It’s a group anniversary party for my parents.”

“I meant to ask, are you parents swingers or something?”

“Ew, why would you ask that?” I don’t have anything against swingers but I know my parents don’t swing and now I’ll have to wash that image out of my brain.

“Why else would you have a group anniversary party? That’s weird.”

“Because Lena’s, Cait’s, Elle’s and my parents are all really close friends with anniversaries close together. It’s not that weird.” At least I don’t think so, for as long as I can remember our families have always celebrated big events together.

Another call rings through, saving me from this conversation. “Hey Whit, my mom is calling. I gotta go.”

“Buh-bye, hun. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me, too. Bye.” I hang up and pick up my mom’s call. “Hi, mom. What’s up?”

“Hey Mer, your dad and I just wanted to make sure you remember to get here early tomorrow for pictures.”

“I know. You’ve only told me like a hundred times.” I roll my eyes.

“Well, Tori called and told me you’re going out to dinner with the girls tonight. I was your age once and remember what it’s like to stay out all night and wake up hungover.”

“Aunt Tori is a busy body sometimes. How did she even know? I doubt Lena told her.”

“Don’t talk about your aunt like that! You’re terrible.” She laughs quietly. “Why would Lena not tell her mom?”

Uh oh. I shouldn’t have said anything. Mom didn’t know they were fighting about what Lena was going to do after college. “Oh, no reason.”

“Hmm…I don’t know how you’re my child, you’re so secretive.”

“I’m not secretive. It’s just not my business, so I’m staying out of it.” I hear dad saying something in the background then my mom’s muffled reply like she’s covering the phone, “Oh Trevor, don’t defend him! He’s my son, he should tell me everything.”

“Definitely not. I don’t think you want to know everything.”

“Well, most things then.”

I shake my head as I pull into the grocery store parking lot. “That’s still a no from me. I’m at the store, I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell dad thanks for having my back.”

I can almost hear her rolling her eyes as she replies, “We love you, Mer.”

“I love you, too.”