Next to Me by Emily Walker

Dustin wasn’t up yet, so he made breakfast like always and sat down to wait for him to get up. He knew there was a Whitney lecture coming. He didn’t blame his dad. If his son were arrested for a messed up girl, he would be mad too.
    When his dad did get up, he was unusually chipper. Zane eyed him suspiciously as he fixed up a plate of eggs, and did well holding the plate with one hand and spooning with the other.
    “You are getting stronger, Dad.” He was proud of the progress he had made.
    “Actually, that was hard as shit. I was attempting to be a smart-ass and almost dropped the plate.” Dustin grinned at his son and sat down at the table. Zane brought over the plates and handed his dad some turkey bacon.
    “What the hell is this?” He watched him sniff it as if it had poison on it and then give him the side eye. “Is this tofoy?”
    “Dad, it isn’t tofu,” he pronounced it correctly, chuckling. “It’s turkey bacon, just try it.”
    Dustin took the tiniest bite anyone could possibly take and rolled it around in his mouth. “It isn’t terrible.”
    “Remember, old man, you just had an almost heart attack.” Zane grinned at him as his dad mocked shock.
    “You’re going to hold that against me. Take your tofoy bacon.” He threw a piece at him and ducked like he would retaliate.
    “I’m not going to waste it, Dad.”
    “Just remember I can still run circles around you.” Zane watched his dad fight two more pieces of turkey bacon down, but he thought it was more for show. His dad hated anyone to think he enjoyed any type of healthy food.
    “Okay, Dad, I’ll keep that in mind. So, I was thinking of taking Lila somewhere special tonight. This relationship has escalated a lot faster than I really thought it would, but she’s pretty amazing.”
    “You can go on a boat!” Zane was used to his dad’s outbursts, but they weren’t even close to a body of water.
    He laughed. “I was thinking something romantic and close by.”
    “There is that lake by the water treatment plant. You can take a boat there, can’t you?”
    “Dad, I’m just going to let you think about what you just said for a minute.”
    It took him a minute, but Dustin started to nod slowly. “What’s a little toxic waste?”
    “Right, I was thinking probably a late night picnic.” Dustin jumped up from the table and rushed over to the cabinet.
    “I’ll make s’mores, no tapas, no s’mores!” He was buzzing with energy and opening and closing the cabinets without getting anything out.
    “Do you even know what tapas is?” Zane lifted an eyebrow in amusement. He had always enjoyed watching his father get excited over the smallest things.
    “It’s like a paste made with anchovies or something.” Dustin went and looked in the refrigerator, like anchovies would magically appear. “I read about it at the doctor’s office in one of those food and wine deals.”
    “I don’t think that’s what it is, and you see that little tray in there with the cheese, different crackers, and dips? I bought the stuff on the way home this morning and created a little tray for us with some wine.”
    “Wow, Son, I have to say that’s impressive. Now just leave some of those things here for me to eat.” Zane shook his head.
    “I will bring you the leftovers.” His dad looked thoughtful for a minute. They cleaned up the kitchen, and Zane looked in the refrigerator for something dessert like. All they had was chocolate pudding, so he tossed Dustin one and got one of his own.
    “What was jail like? Did you see someone with knuckle tattoos?” His dad ran a finger across his knuckles for emphasis.
    “No, I was in the holding cell. Lila bailed me out before I had to even see another prisoner.”
    “You stick with ladies like Lila and let girls like Whitney straighten themselves out.” Dustin frowned a little, letting his forehead wrinkle.
    Zane wanted to comment on the fact that his dad must have developed ADD with the way the