’t bad；” Rufus said thoughtfully； holding the book close to his face as he settled on the couch next to Dan。 “It’s a postmodern interpretation of Sandberg。 It’s been done before； but it’s not horrible。”
“Thanks。” Dan yanked the notebook away from his dad。
“And this is only the beginning。 I just know you’ll really let your creative juices flow on our retreat！” Rufus said fondly as he ruffled Dan’s hair。
Dan swatted his dad’s hand away。 Fuck。 He’d forgotten that he’d promised to join Rufus and a couple of his Beat poet buddies on an artists’ retreat over New Year’s。 He’d agreed before the Columbia acceptance had e； when anything besides his current reality had sounded like paradise。 But he didn’t want to leave Manhattan so soon。 He had so much to do before the semester started； like look for cheap studio apartments for him and Vanessa。
That would definitely surprise her。
“Don’t tell me you’re not ing！” Rufus pouted； noticing Dan’s hesitation。 “I haven’t seen you since August—the least you can do is spend four days with your old man。 I know I won’t see you much once Vanessa gets here。”
“You’ll still see me；” Dan mumbled； even though he knew it was true。 Once Vanessa was back； Dan never wanted to let her out of his sight again。 He sighed。 “No； I’ll e；” Dan said definitively as he headed toward the sink with his coffee mug。
“Great！ I’ll make sure to stock up on some supplies for you； then。 We’re going to build a sweat lodge and sweat out our demons。 This old man needs a Speedo！”
“Get some bagels while you’re out！” Dan called to Rufus’s retreating back。 He turned on the water and squeezed dish soap into the sink； smiling at the tiny bubbles swishing in the coffee mug。 A poem was already forming in his head。
Avocad