College Plans (BFTD XIV)

not a good reaction

“What the hell?” Calvin’s stepfather yelled at Calvin “What do you mean you aren’t going to college? What a damn fucking waste”

His mom just sat at the kitchen table looking sullen and disappointed “But your grades” was all she could get out.

He had gotten a letter this last week before school start about college prep assemblies. And since he took the ACT entrance exam, letters from schools across the nation were starting to arrive. His mother asked which one he was excited about.

“Wait.. Let me finish. I’m going to college, just not right away. We can’t afford it. I’m going to go vo-tech. They have a horticulture program I can go in the afternoons this year and then finish next. Then I can work, they have a work-study at five dollars an hour! I can save money and go later” Calvin was trying to salve the wound of answering “I’m not going to college next year” when they asked.

“You got a 32 on that ACT , I’m sure you’ll get a scholarship or something” his mom pleaded.

“Really Calvin, you are just going to give up? You are smarter than everyone, though this seems pretty dumb” his stepfather nearly shouted “you are going to dig manure instead of college then?”

“I will go to college” he asserted again.

“Well, you know the rule. You can’t live here after you graduate if you are not in college” his stepfather said. Calvin didn’t know that rule, but no matter, he already decided he’d be moving out. “Ok” was his short reply.

“Shit, he’s your son” his stepfather gave up and walked out of the kitchen.

Calvin and his mother just sat there not knowing what to say to each other. Finally, after long awkward minutes, Calvin pushed himself away from the table. “I told Billy I’d go over and swim with him before the pool closes for the season”

As he started to walk out, his stepfather returned.

“It’s that boy isn’t it? Isn’t he younger than you? Are you waiting for him?”

“Billy”

“Yes, him. Are you? That’s dumb for a smart kid. Weird faggy shit!”

Calvin didn’t know what to say. He didn’t think his step-father or his mother would figure it out because it was so out of the ordinary it wouldn’t cross their minds. He figured “money” was a really good reason to tell them in part because it was true, they didn’t have enough money, and also because it would deflect any consideration about the real reason. But here he was, usually not caring about his step-son’s future plans or catching on to his day-to-day plans, and he figured it out.

“I need to save money” was all he said. He dodged past his lanky step-father and went out to get his bike.