Dad pushed a finger onto her lips to stop her yammering. “Mini. Shhhhh. No big deal. Max has a towel on. It’s not the first time more than one person has had to share the bathroom.” Mini’s face was beet red from embarrassment. She pushed her way past Dad and hurried to her room and slammed the door.
Dad watched her go and then turned back to me and said, “Women. Go figure. Are you done in here?”
I said, “Um, yes I am.” I bent down and grabbed my boxers off the floor and threw them in the hamper. I pushed past him as he squeezed himself up against the wall to let me by. I hurried into my room and shut the door. I took a deep breath and exhaled. ‘Jesus, that was close. We have to be more careful,’ I thought.
At the breakfast table Dad, Mini and I were all dressed for the day. Mom was in her bathrobe. Dad and Mom were talking past us saying something about he would be gone for a week. His suitcase was sitting by the backdoor ready to go. Mom had a frown on her face. She was clearly not pleased that he was leaving again so soon. It was the ‘same old, same old’ to Mini and me but I felt sad for Mom.
I said to Mom, “I’ll be home later than usual today. The Guidance Councilor is having another after-school session on applying to colleges.”
Dad interjected, “Max, I’m glad you’re thinking about going to college. Your sister has already been accepted you know.” I knew. I had been reminded a hundred times. ‘I get it. Perfect Mini and fuck-up Max,’ I thought.
Mini and I got up first and we both kissed Mom and Mini kissed Dad and we left for school. Before we could get out of the driveway in Mini’s car, Dad came out with his suitcase. Mom stood in the doorway watching him go. She looked so sad.
By noon it became apparent that Mini had spread the word. Every girl I passed in the hallway was staring at my crotch. I had always worn nothing but dress pants because they were more comfortable and I could hide my dick hanging down my leg. I wore jeans one time and I thought I would die from the constriction.
I had dated one girl for a while during my junior year. We kissed and I touched her tit through her clothes once. She touched my thigh as though she was searching for something and she broke up with me the next day. I was crushed. I hurt so bad that I didn’t want to do that again. I barely spoke to girls after that. Now, all of a sudden, girls are smiling at me and saying “Hi Max,” as they walked by. It was kind of neat.
Later that afternoon, I saw Mini in the hallway as we were heading for our next class. Mini smiled and said, “Well, little brother. How has your day been?”
“It’s been kind of weird. I can only assume you blabbed to all your friends after you said you wouldn’t. Girls I don’t even know are speaking to me. It’s kind of uncomfortable.”
Mini started to walk backwards in the direction she had been going and yelled back at me, “I never promised.” She grinned broadly before turning around a bounced through the crowd. I watched her go and then turned around and headed for my class. The Guidance Councilor pulled me aside in the hall and informed me that the college application training session had been cancelled. He said that he would reschedule. I thanked him and went on my way.