"And the constitution guarantees that-Alex? Um, Mr. Keaton, are you listening?"
Alex felt the sharp jab of an elbow in his side and he jumped in surprise. "Um, Richard Nixon!" The students around him, including his best friend Greg, exploded
in laughter.
Mrs. Roxbury, however, was not amused. She stood at the front of the room, her arms crossed. "Well, fortunately for us, Mr. Keaton, the constitution does not
guarantee Richard Nixon, but it does guarantee freedom of speech. However, in this classroom, I expect your undivided attention and for you to exercise your
freedom of speech only when you are called on. Is that understood?"
"Yes ma'am." Alex replied, slinking further into his seat.
"Now, as I was saying…. The constitution-."
Seconds after the lecture resumed, Alex's attention once again began to waver and he barely realized that he was staring out the window. He knew that he was
in grave danger of losing his status as a stellar student and, even worse, his chance at being the valedictorian for the Harding High School Class of 1984. But try
as he might, it was impossible to concentrate.
Just hours before, he'd gotten into a somewhat heated conversation with Kimberly Blanton, the girl of his current infatuation. Her parents were wealthy and
while she was admittedly not very bright, she gave him the gift of being a part of the prestigious Carlton Country Club, if only for a little while. That is, until his
father humiliated him by interrupting Alex's dinner with Kimberly's parents in an effort to get him to leave.
Alex refused, and tried to apologize to Kimberly. She seemed okay with the interruption, but when she confronted him at school, her attitude had completely
changed. She told him in no uncertain terms that she wanted nothing more to do with him. He was hurt, of course, but the more he thought about the Carlton
Country Club and what it stood for, the more Alex realized that his dad was right.
The Carlton represented nothing that Alex or his father believed in. He had no business being there and even the company of a beautiful girl wasn't enough. He
was humiliated at the sight of his dad treating him like a kid, but he knew that there was a good reason for it. Stephen Keaton was just being a good father.
When the bell rang, Alex was grateful that school was over for the day. Quickly he gathered his books and raced out of the classroom before Mrs. Roxbury had a
chance to scold him for his lack of participation. He vowed to make it up to her by cramming as hard as he could, learning everything possible about the
constitution when he got home. But there was something more important that he had to do first.
Disappointment filled him when he opened the back door and found the kitchen empty. Even the sight of his mother didn't make him feel better.
"Oh, hey, Alex!"
"Hey Mom."
"How was school?"
Alex shrugged. "It was okay."
"Just okay?"
"Yeah."
His mother knew him too well. She moved toward him and touched his forehead. "Are you feeling all right?"
"I'm fine, why?"
"I was just wondering. You seem-I don't know, distracted?"
"Is Dad home?"
"No, he's working late tonight. Was there something I can help you with?"
"No, it's fine. I'm gonna go upstairs and start on my homework."
Elyse's smile faded. "Oh, okay. Well, I'll call you when dinner's ready."
He could tell his mom was disappointed, but he couldn't discuss his situation with her. This was between him and his father.
Ignoring Mallory (which was easy to do), Alex made his way to his bedroom and immediately began reading the chapter on the constitution from his textbook.
He took pages and pages of notes, but he soon began to realize that he had no idea what he'd just read. He pounded his fist on the desk in frustration, wincing
at the pain. But the throbbing in his hand was nothing compared to the anxiety he felt. If only he could talk to his dad.
"Alex! Dinner!"
At the sound of his mother's voice that floated up the staircase, Alex trudged into the living room. The heavenly aroma wafted under his nose. Dinner sure
smelled good. His mom had made his favorite. He had to remember to thank her.
As they sat down to dinner, Alex tried to engage in conversation, causally adding as many sarcastic comments to Mallory's stories about the mall as possible, but
he kept his gaze toward the kitchen door, anxious for his father's arrival. But that moment never came.
He helped his mom clear the dishes and thanked her for dinner, quickly excusing himself as he gave her a hug. "Goodnight. I'm going to bed."
Mallory and Jennifer just looked at him in disbelief. "Alex, are you crazy?" Mallory shrieked. "It's not even seven thirty!"
"Yeah, are you crazy?" Jennifer echoed. "Babies don't even go to bed at seven thirty at night!"
"Yeah? Well this baby-um, guy is going to bed at seven thirty, all right? I'll see you guys in the morning."
Minutes later, Alex was showered and dressed in his pajamas. He sighed deeply and dutifully picked up the textbook to continue reading about the constitution.
"The US constitution was originally comprised of seven articles. The first three articles embody-."
A knock on the door startled him and he realized that he'd fallen asleep. It took him a split second to remember where he was.
"Alex, it's Dad." The muffled voice said. "Can I come in?"
"Um, yeah. Dad. It's open."
His dad walked in and smiled. "Your mother said you wanted to speak to me?"
"Yeah, Dad, I do." Alex climbed out of bed and walked over to his father. "Have a seat." Alex sat on the bed and his father sat in the chair at his desk. "
"So, what's on your mind?"
"Um, Kimberly, actually."
"Right, Kimberly. How are you two getting along?"
"She dumped me. Said she didn't want anything to do with anyone whose father confronted them at the Carlton Country Club."
Stephen sighed. "Alex, I'm sorry. This is my fault. It was never my intention to break you and Kimberly up. In fact, I liked Kimberly."
"I liked her too, but you were right."
"I was?"
"I had no business being there, at a place that discriminates against others. And I'm sorry I got mad at you."
"Thanks, Alex. And I'm sorry for barging in."
"I'm kind of glad you did, actually."
"Well, one thing's for certain, next time I'm going to be a better father."
"You're a great father, Dad. The best."
"And you're a great son, Alex. I'm proud of you."
Alex and his dad stood and hugged.
"Well, goodnight."
"Night, Dad."
When his dad was gone, Alex climbed back into bed and turned out the light. He had the best dad in the world.
THE END