The Video Camera
Dear Frankie,
For six years, my parents had no idea I broke every house rule after they left for work. I slept in their bed, dug holes under the fence to play with my Basset Hound neighbor, Harry, lounged on the living room couch watching TV, and watched their adult videos. When they came home, everything was just as they had left it: the bed was made, the holes were filled, the dog hair from the couch was removed, and the videos were back in the closet.
Two weeks ago, my dad bought a second-hand video camera with audio at a garage sale. He thought it would be a lark to check in during the day. We live in an open-plan house, so there is no place in the house where I cannot be seen.
I feel like I’m on suicide watch in a high-security prison. The first time my dad talked to me through the camera, I jumped ten feet, thinking there was a robber in the house.
The only place I have any privacy is outside. But Winter is coming, and it will be too cold to be outside for any length of time.
Why couldn’t my dad just leave well enough alone?
Beany
Dear Beany,
Your dad didn’t install the camera to spy on you. He did it to stay in touch during the day and let you know he was thinking of you.
Just because you weren’t caught breaking the rules doesn’t mean what you did was right. You had a pretty good deal going for yourself for six years. But now the gig is up, and you have no choice but to behave as your parents imagine you have.
I understand the bed, the couch, and digging the holes, but not watching the adult videos. Your parents kept them in the closet because they were private. There, you crossed the line.
Since your dad bought a second-hand camera at a garage sale, your only hope for getting back to the good old days is that it will break and your parents won’t replace it. If that happens, no more adult videos, do you hear me!
Best, Frankie
© 2025 Geneva Woodruff
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