When I got home, I quietly opened the door and walked in, hoping nobody would hear me. However, Dad was standing right by the front door, his arms crossed. "Hey, Dad," I said. "Nice weather, right? So... sunny?"

"Uh huh," Dad said. "I already took away your laptop and unplugged your TV. Don't expect them to be in your bedroom."

"What if I give you this?" I asked, taking a bag of bacon jerky out of the duffel bag. "Happy birthday?"

"Yes, because nothing says 'Happy Birthday' more than my eldest son returning from an unknown trip to Canada," Dad said, taking the bag of bacon jerky from my hand....