The Insider: My Father’s Day dilemma

It all began when I checked my daily planner earlier this week and an event caught my eye.  Father’s Day was right there, in a bolded font. But how could I have missed it? There were still a few days left so all wasn’t lost.

I rummage around my dorm room to see if I have any possible gift items stored in my closet.  There is a box of unopened Valentine’s Day chocolates, but that won’t work.  I’ll have to look elsewhere.

I needed some place close to campus that I could get my dad a gift. Le Gourmet? No. Hillel? No. The Tulane bookstore? Yes! It’s basically a mini department store.  

As I walk to the bookstore I text my mom, hoping she can provide some inspiration.

I write, “Mom, do you have any ideas for what I could get Dad for Father’s Day?”  

“I’m not sure honey…”  she texts back.

“Very helpful,” I think to myself, annoyed by the use of ellipses she uses at the end of her messages.

I enter the bookstore and look around.

Maybe he’d like a nice umbrella or some Tulane sports gear? No and no.

Maybe I should get him a gift certificate? I survey the gift card options in the corner, but nothing fits his needs.

After all of my searching, I find myself back in front of a shelf filled with chocolate — Godiva will have to do.

Just as I’m about to check out, something shiny catches my eye. I drop the chocolate and walk over to a fancy silver rollerball pen. My dad loves pens! He keeps them carefully stored in a special drawer and uses them when he writes his stories. It’s perfect.  

I grab the pen and on second thought buy the chocolate, too. After Father’s Day shopping, I deserve a treat.  

Claire Davenport is a junior at Tulane University, majoring in English and political science.