Page 115 of Stroked Hard
“Hollis,” Melony says again, “don’t be mad at me.”
“Too fucking late,” I respond right before we get to my family.
Putting on a happy face, I let my dad pull me into a hug by the back of my neck. “Come here, boy. Gosh, I’m so darn proud of you.” He kisses my cheek and hugs me again. He has no shame in showing affection, and it’s one of the many reasons why I love him so much.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Looking to my side, he eyes Melony and asks, “Who is this pretty lady with you?”
Who is she? Good fucking question. Last time I checked she was my girlfriend, but who fucking knows what I am to her? She’s putting on a fake smile. I know it’s fake by the way it doesn’t make her eyes crinkle.
Not wanting to give her any out, I say, “This is my girlfriend, Melony.”
“Girlfriend?” My dad gives me a surprised look. “Well, it’s so wonderful to meet you, Melony. I’m Al and this beautiful woman next to me is my wife, Marion.”
“Hello, Melony. It’s so lovely to meet you.” My mom then turns to me, reaches up and presses her palm to my cheek in a loving motherly way, as if she’s so impressed with what she was able to create. “Hollis, I’m so proud of you. Give me a hug.”
I pull her into my chest and kiss the top of her head just as I feel Holly’s wheelchair hit me in the back of the calf.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
Smiling down at Holly, who’s wearing OUR gold medal around her neck, I say, “Melony, this is my sister, Holly.”
“You choose to hang out with Hollis?” Holly teases.
“I guess I do,” Melony teases back while looking up at me.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head. “She loves the joking abuse I give her on a daily basis. Craves it actually. I’m thinking about taking her to go see someone. If I don’t joke around about putting her boob in my mouth at least once a day she goes into a fit of panic.”
“Oh my God,” Melony whispers in shock.
But she doesn’t need to worry because my family bursts out in laughter as we all take a seat, my dad asking me to sit next to him, so I do.
Gripping my shoulder with a shake, he says, “This boy right here, he’s amazing, Melony. Marion and I take pride in how we raised our children, and we couldn’t have asked for more amazing adults than Holly and Hollis. Working together to bring our country a gold back home, it brings tears to my eyes.”
“All right, Dad.” I laugh. “I thought we got all the sappy stuff done and over with.”
“I can’t help it,” he says, looking me in the eye. “I’m so proud of you two.”
It never gets old, hearing your dad say he’s proud of you, impressing your parents, knowing you did them right. It’s a goal I will always strive for. I’m a product of them, I want to respect the legacy they built with their love and carry it on for future generations.
“You got yourself a good one, Melony,” my dad says, winking at her.
I turn to look at my girl, and I’m instantly concerned when I see her looking down at her hands on her lap. She’s not the same bubbly girl I left back in LA. Something is going on.
With fake cheer, she replies, “He’s a wonderful man and an amazing diver.”
“He is, but I was better,” Holly cuts in with a wink.
“She was better,” my mom adds. “The Knightly women are always better than the men at everything. Aren’t I right, Al?”
“You’re always right, sugar plum.” My dad kisses my mom on the lips and then turns to Melony. “See what I did there? If Hollis is the smart man I know I raised, he will treat you just the same.”
I’ve been trying to, Dad. I’ve been busting my fucking ass trying to win this girl over.I see sparks of hope for our future every once in a while. It’s there, I know it’s there. I just have to keep pushing through the godforsaken moat she keeps encircling herself in.
“He’s a very good man, you should be proud.” Melony squeezes my leg under the table. The little move gives me hope. She then turns to Holly and says, “You were a fantastic diver, Holly. I remember watching you when I was younger. You were always so flawless.”
“Thank you.” Holly blushes and my stomach starts to churn. Please don’t bring up what happened. Please don’t bring up what happened. “I’m just glad Hollis can finally let go of all his guilt from the car accident.”
