Personal Narrative Essay: Let's The Liberty Science Center

On the way downtown Dad makes our cab driver tell him all of his favorite restaurants in the city. He says, “And what’s your favorite place to get Indian?” and when Mom finally tells Dad that we aren’t paying our driver to be a guide, he says, “Oh, he doesn’t mind!” Then he turns to our driver and says, “You’re really earning your tip today, huh buddy?”
Dahlia and I look at each other. I mime hanging myself with a noose. Dahlia whispers, “Kill me,” to Mom, who laughs and says, “Only a couple more blocks. Bill, leave him alone.” Dad turns around and whispers, “Mica, please!” which means that he feels like Mom is undermining his authority and all three of us are in danger of getting into big trouble.
Sometimes I think that Mom and I might have a telekinesis connection. I think Let’s ditch Dad. Let’s have fun. But I don’t think it works.
Our cab drops us off right in front of this giant domed building called The Liberty Science Center. Dad says, “Oh, neat!” when he sees it, and starts walking towards the entrance. Mom says, “I thought we were going to see the Statue of Liberty?” and then Dad says, “What’s to see? It’s right there!” Then he says he’s going inside the science center and we can come or not.
Dahlia turns to me and throws her hands in the air, which means what the fuck, but also, we better hurry up and follow Dad. Hanging in
She smiles and says, “You only get married twice!” and I laugh along with her, because at least she is being helpful. Then she brings Mom another dozen dresses to try on, and Mom makes me come into her room with her to get her “out of this thing.” As I am unbuttoning the dress, it strikes me how frail Mom is. She isn’t frail like she’s too skinny. She’s frail in the way where she might be blown to the ground come a heavy wind. When Mom’s finally out of the dress, she tells me to put it on top of the “maybe” pile, but instead I hide it in the middle of the