You'll have to forgive me," Dad said. His mouth was moving very little, a sign that he was tense. "I'm not...familiar with...the protocol. For boys like you. But I..."

I felt my face turning red. No, no, no. Quit while you're ahead, Dad. Please.

"I'm sure you have...urges," Dad went on. "All teenage boys have...urges. I don't know whether you've...tried anything--"

I said please!

"Just as long as you're safe. That's very important. You still have to be safe, even if you're both boys. I don't know what really...um, entails. You know. How you...do things. I could look it up for you--"

I clapped my hand over Dad's mouth. I took him by his arm, my face burning, and dragged him back to the field.

Author: Rose Christo