Tyler didn't tell me when to go to the beach. Or even which part of the beach to go to. So, all night, as I'm throwing clothes onto my bed in my search to find something that looks decent enough to wear, I'm worried about how I'm going to get there. Not what's going to happen when I get there. Everything that comes before it.

Once I've braided my hair and found something to wear that looks good enough to meet a bunch of people I don't know, I need nail polish. Not that I ever wear nail polish. I think the only time I've worn it was when my mother wanted me to for a school dance. I let her paint my nails because it made her happy, but I'd picked it all off by the end of the night.

So, I don't know why I have the sudden need to find that sky blue nail polish I'm sure I packed from home. All I know is that every fiber in my body won't let me leave the house until I do.

I rummage through the box of stuff still sitting on my desk, grunting every time my braid whips my cheek. And when I'm unsuccessful in my search, I resort to pulling out all the stuff I'd already stored away in drawers. I might be pressed for time. I might not be. All I know is that I want to make a good impression. That starts with not being late.

It's not there either.

At this point, my frustration is at boiling point. It feels as though my bones are rattling in my skin and all the saliva in my mouth has evaporated. My braid feels too tight. I want to make it looser but that means redoing the whole thing. Are these shorts too small? Maybe I should pick some more, darker denim maybe. Have I put enough sunscreen on? I know it's not even going to be light when we're on the beach, but the sun can still damage your skin when it's dark out, right?

But all these worries sit in the background. Where's my blue nail polish?

I rush down the steps and tumble into the living room. My dad slams a book closed when he notices me standing behind him. If it was any other time, I'd ask him what he was looking at and why he was being so secretive about it.

"Have you seen that blue nail polish mom made me wear to that dance one year?" I ask.

His brows furrow as he takes a swig from the can of beer by his side. "You've done something with your hair," he says, surprise evident on his face.

"Dad, listen. The nail polish, do you know where it is?"

He turns the can in his hand, watching the light reflect on its surface. That's when I notice the flush coating every inch of his skin. His eyes are bloodshot, and his jaw is slack as if the effort of keeping his mouth closed is too much. It's obvious that isn't his first can.

The need to be here for him outweighs everything else.

I take a seat next to him on the sofa and tap his legs, "shift." He spreads them out across the coffee table and places his arm around my shoulder. He sighs as I rest my head on his chest, our heart rates syncing as his thrums in my ear.

"You okay, honey?" He asks. His hand strokes my hair soothingly and I find myself closing my eyes.

"Yeah, are you?"

"I think I'm a tiny bit drunk," he admits with a chuckle.

My dad has never been much of a drinker. If he did drink it would only be a couple. Which is why I know that he needs me here right now. And there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

"Just a little bit." I laugh.

"Do you know what we should do?" He asks but doesn't give me time to guess. "We should drive out and watch the sunset. I know you always loved them in Phoenix, and I have a feeling they'll be even better here."

"Maybe another night," I say. "Let's watch that show we've been wanting to watch."

"I would but I think I'm sitting on the remote." His laughter vibrates through his chest, shaking my head. I can't help but laugh as well.

"Okay, lift up."

He groans but does as I ask. It's wedged between both cushions, but I manage to get it out. He slumps back down and pats his chest. I smile and rest my head against it. His hand strokes my hair once again.

After talking, laughing, and struggling to catch our breath for what seems like hours, we fall asleep right there on the sofa. We never did get round to watching that show.