Excerpt: Fiction

I continued to stare at the cell phone in my hand, going back and forth on the idea of calling [my parents]. I had two options. Option one: I could call them, upset and disappoint them, and leave them shaking their heads if I eventually lose my job. They would make up some lie to tell their friends when they asked how I was doing. “Oh, Bryan isn’t working at Coger anymore. He, um, decided to become a war corresponded!” Option two: I could not call them. This second option could go one of two ways: they would find out eventually if the charges eventually blow so far out of proportion that I can no longer hide them, or they would live the rest of their lives in ignorant bliss. With the latter, no one would get hurt, except my heart would be heavy with the guilt of not being straight-forward with my parents.
The phone might as well have given me an intimidating look. Bring it on, it seemed to say. Do your worst.
Without thinking, I hit the speed dial for my parents’ house. What the hell had I just done? I held the phone up to my ear and looked in the mirror to see my expression of horror. One ring. This was the only way I could make a decision. I concluded that, once they got on the phone, I would very quickly feel out the situation and decide whether or not to tell them.
Two rings. I felt my palms and brow grow moist with sweat. I watched a single bead of sweat drip down the middle of my chest. This is a stupid plan, I thought to myself. I’ll probably waffle on them and say something idiotic, like, “Oh, I was just calling because I missed hearing from you, and absolutely nothing new is going on in my life. Nothing at all.”
Three rings. There’s still time to hang up, I reminded myself. They don’t have to know. But don’t they deserve to know? I mean, they are my parents after all. They brought me into this world and raised me to be the man I am today…the man who will most likely be sued for sexual harassment.
Four rings. I could feel my heart beating in my throat. My skin was flushed from my cheek bones all the way down to my chest.
And then I heard a click.