Manchester, UK

Dad waited outside school in the rain even though I told him not to come

Dear Delyara, I am fifteen and my parents separated four months ago. I am angry with Dad because he moved out, so when he texted asking if I wanted a lift after football practice, I wrote, NO. Mum’s getting me. Mum was working late. I planned to walk because I wanted him to think I did not need him. When practice finished, rain was pouring. Dad was across the road with the car. He pretended he had “just happened to be nearby,” which is stupid because he lives forty minutes away now. I told him I said not to come. He said, “I know.” I got in anyway. We barely spoke. He had brought my old towel because he knows I hate sitting in wet clothes. Halfway home, he asked if I wanted chips. I said no. Then yes. We ate them in the car while the windows steamed up. I am still angry with him. I do not want one rainy pickup to turn into some big lesson about forgiving Dad. He hurt Mum. He changed our house. I hate packing a bag to see him on weekends. But tonight his towel is hanging over my chair, and I keep thinking about him driving forty minutes after I specifically told him not to because maybe parents sometimes understand that “leave me alone” does not always mean “please actually leave.”