Prompt 007: Indicate precisely what you mean to say.
Ryan waited for the right time to tell his dad the news. He practiced his speech before and after school for a whole week. He even asked his art teacher for advice. He wanted to find the best words to make the strongest case possible for his decision.

Finally, one weeknight his dad came home early. He was in a relatively good mood, and had only had one beer with dinner. Ryan patiently listened to his father describe his latest business scheme. When there was a lull in the conversation, he cleared his throat. "Um... Dad. I'm starting to hear back from those colleges I applied to."

His father smiled, hopeful. "You hear back from Northwestern? They've got a great business program."

"Actually..." Ryan took a deep breath. "I got into the Art Institute. I'm going to go there."

His father looked dumbfounded for a few seconds. "Ryan, we talked about that. An art degree isn't going to get you anywhere. You can keep doodling for fun, but you need a school that will give you a real education."

"But, this is what I enjoy doing." He tried to remember the points he made in his speech. "It's not just about comic books, graphic design is becoming a really popular field--"

"What, you mean that computer crap?" His father snorted, cutting him off. "You're not going there, and that's final."

"Bullshit." Ryan stood up, forgetting his speech in his frustration. "I got accepted. It's where I want to go."

His father stood up too, angrily shaking a finger in his face. "If you think I'm going to help pay for you to go there--"

"With what?" Ryan gestured at their tiny living room. "All the money you made from your scams? I never expected you to help pay for college, I just wanted --"

"I'm your father!" The older man yelled back, trying to take control of the conversation. "You'll do as I say!"

"It's my life!" Ryan retorted, his own voice raised. "I'll do what I want!" He stormed upstairs and to his room.

"Ryan!" His father glared at the stairs, then slumped back into his chair, exhausted from the argument.

Ryan, meanwhile, sulked in his room. His speech was so good, too, but he lost it all in another stupid fight with his dad. He didn't need anything from him. He just wanted his approval.