Dinosaurs and Weddings

Poking at my cold eggs, I put down my fork. "Look Dad, I promise you, dinosaurs really did exist."

Per usual, Dad huffed and rolled his eyes. "I raised you to be smarter than this Samantha, come on. Use that college educated brain of yours."

As he pauses for dramatic effect, the waiter sidles up to the table. With his hands in his apron, clearly uncomfortable, "Is there anything else I can get you folks?"

I look up, "You know what? I will take that Bloody Mary after all, thanks."

He nods, "Coming right up!" He shuffles away quickly. Poor guy.

Dad raises his voice, catching the attention of the other diners.

"How come they have never found a full set of bones? Why are all of the "skeletons" in museums just random pieces of bones frankensteined together? The "scientists" don't even know what they're supposed to look like." His hands gesture wildly, almost knocking over his coffee. "Feathers? Really, Sam? Feathers?"

"Shhhh. Quiet down Dad. People are staring again."

After moving his, I wrap my hands around my coffee, trying to feel some warmth. Or feel anything really. "We're not doing this again. The last time we had this conversation, we didn't speak for two years. We have to move past this. I want you to walk me down the aisle next year."

Crunching on a piece of bacon, "My dear, unless you at least acknowledge that I'm making valid points and synchronize our thinking, this conversation is over."

The waiter slides the drink in front of me without a word or eye contact.

"Thank you," I call out to his retreating form.

It smells spicy. I take a long sip. It burns. The waiter must have made it a double. Good.

I take another gulp and sigh. "Come on Dad, I'm a Paleontologist. You're literally discrediting my life's work."

Chewing on a bite of his pancakes, "Well to be fair, I've been telling you all of your life they aren't real..." He grins as if he's made a valid point.

Trying to hold back 28 years of frustration, I spread my fingers wide on the table. "Ok, let's make a deal. I will only say this once and we will never talk about this again. Deal?"

His face lights up as he nods consent.

Another sip of liquid courage. "Ignoring the science, and all logic really... I admit... you make some... points."

"Huzzah!" he cheers, stabbing the air with his knife. "I knew you'd come around. So when's this wedding of yours?"