BELLA
I have to do it that way because I'm not smart.
TROY
Yeah. That's how I often describe you, "That's Bella, my not-smart daughter."
BELLA
But I'm not.
TROY
Bella. Young women who earn full-ride academic scholarships to college cannot be described by anyone or themselves as not smart. Last I knew, you were making money by going to college.
BELLA
That's different. When it comes to a lot of things I'm brick-dumb. I get good grades because I'm a good studier and do my work. But it's not because I'm smart.
TROY
Did you just say brick-dumb?
BELLA
Yeah. Isn't that the saying?
TROY
Do you mean dumb as a brick?
BELLA
Oh. Yeah. That's what I mean.
TROY (with a smile and a pat on the knee)
Uhhh. Ok. Maybe we can revisit our position on this.
This conversation happened on an impromptu father-daughter night out. It involved a movie and dinner and had lots of great conversations but that one will stand out for both of us for all the obvious reasons.
One more note on this. Bella scored higher on the ACT in 9th grade than I did as a high school senior (though I would never tell her that). If she is brick-dumb, then I should probably be institutionalized.
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