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Like Father, Like Son

February 24, 2016 by Jeff Elkins 2 Comments

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“What did you think of that last one?” the father said to his son.

“I don’t know. It was good.”

“I can’t believe he’s still here. When I was a sophomore we used to have this rhyme for him.”

“I liked the video clip he used.”

“Lester, Lester the grade point molester. The man who gave Jesus a C.”

“That’s funny.”

“Yeah, I learned a lot in his class. Where do you want to go next? We’ve done the Religion department and the biology wing. Was there anything you wanted to see?”

“I don’t. I don’t think so.”

 

“Is it weird? Seeing all these professors?” the father asked his son.

“It’s a little weird that some of them taught you and they’re still here.”

“Yeah. They were a lot younger when I was here.”

“It’s cool some of them are your age and stuff.”

“Perkins and I used to go down to the SUB – that’s the student union.”

“I know, dad.”

“On Thursdays for lunch. His game was to try and get a date with the first girt that walked through the door. Didn’t matter what she looked like.”

“That’s funny.”

“Yeah.”

“He seemed nice.”

 

“I can’t believe he’s the head of the Biology department. He was always terrible in biology. Loved physics. Terrible in bio,” the father said to his son.

“Weird.”

“Yeah. So. What do you think? Do you think you might want to go here?”

“Oh. Yeah. It’s great.”

“Your mom and I loved it here.”

“Yeah. I’m excited.”

“I know that girl is going to-”

“Meredith, dad. Her name is Meredith.”

“Sorry. It’s hard to keep track.”

“We’ve been together for three months, dad.”

“Three months, huh?”

“Three months. I like her. A lot.

“Well, I know Meredith is going to Louisiana College.”

“Yep.”

“You know, your mom and I wouldn’t be mad if you decided to go there.”

“I don’t-”

“I mean, we’re only paying for here, but if you want to go to LC.”

“Very funny, dad.”

“Seriously. You can go wherever you want.”

“I like it here.”

“Good. That’s good.”

 

“Can we go and see your and mom’s apartment?” the son asked his father.

“That place was a dump.”

“Yeah. I just thought it would be cool to see it.”

“Sure. I think it’s… Um. I think it’s this way. It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah.”

“Have you thought about what you want to study?”

“I’m going to be a doctor. Like you.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Except, I want to work with kids. I know you probably want me to do heart stuff, but I really feel God leading me to work with kids.”

“Okay.”

“I figure I can finish here in four years and then go to med school in Houston, like you and mom.”

“You know, you don’t have to do that.”

“But, I just-”

“Maybe that life isn’t for you.”

“Oh.”

“I mean. I don’t want you to feel like-”

“I know my grades aren’t the best. But I’ll work really hard.”

“Oh. No. That’s not-”

“And Miss Lapret has been really unfair. There’s no way I should have a C. I turned in that report. She lost it. I shouldn’t be punished because-”

“No. That’s. That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m going to bring my math grade up, dad. The C is just because we haven’t finished our midterms yet. We don’t have enough grades in the system and she’s bases our score on the total points possible for the year. It’s weird. But I kind of like it because I can see what I need to get. But, anyway. I’ll work really hard.”

“I’m sure you will.”

“No really, dad.”

“No. That’s not. What I meant to say ways, you don’t have to be a doctor. You know that right? You don’t have to do what your mother and I did.”

“Okay.”

“I know you can.”

“It’s just. I’ll get my grades up.”

“That’s not what I’m saying, bud.”

“Okay.”

 

“Are you hungry?” the father asked his son.

“Um. Sure? I guess.”

“There used to be this place. I think it was a few blocks. That way? They had the best burgers.”

“I could eat.”

“Let’s go get a burger. I use to try and take your mom there, but she never really appreciated it. She said it was too greasy.”

Filed Under: Drama

About Jeff Elkins

Jeff is a writer living in Baltimore with his wife and five kids. He is the author of four books, including Mencken and the Monsters. He regularly blogs at Vagrant Misunderstandings.

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