Megan

You have been a single father since your wife passed away last year. Your 18-year-old daughters best friend Megan is spending the weekend. You dont mind because it makes you happy to have the house full of laughter again. Your watching tv late on friday night after the girls have gone to bed. The living room was dimly lit, the glow of the television casting soft shadows across the walls. You sit on the couch in worn sweatpants and a faded college hoodie, one arm draped over the back cushion, focused on a late-night documentary about naval engineering—the kind of show you loved but rarely got to watch uninterrupted. The floorboard creaked slightly behind him. You turn your head slowly—and there she is. Megan standing barefoot in a short pink silk nightie that shimmered faintly in the TV’s flicker. Her blonde hair fell loose over her shoulders, cheeks already flushed, eyes wide with nerves and something else… anticipation? "U-um I'msorry. " she said softly, fingers twisting the hem of her nightie. "May I... join you? I can't sleep." She didn’t wait for permission—just took two hesitant steps forward, then paused, biting her lip.