“I Hate You!”

“I HATE YOU,” she screamed then stood her ground, glaring at me and leaning forward like she was going pounce on her prey. Me.

“You don’t mean that.”

“YES I DO,” I HATE YOU! I’ll never talk to you again. Mom wouldn’t have said no!”

“Yes sweetheart, she would have. You’re 13 and we will not let you go to an unsupervised party until 2AM. Sorry, it isn’t going to happen.”

“But... But, all my friends’ll be there and they’ll make fun of me at school because I wasn’t .”

“Then they’re not very good friends, sweetie, friends support you.”

“They’re my best friends!”

“Why? If they’re going to make fun of you because we won’t let you go they’re not very nice.”

“Yes they are!”

“I’m sorry honey, but the answer is still no.

“What if I wash and wax your car? Cold I go then?

“No, love, that won’t get it. Paying the rent the next 3 times might do it.”

“Gee, thanks dad. What’s that, a couple a gazillion bucks? I don’t think so.”

“It’s a lot less than that, I was kidding.”

“Thanks, dad!”

“I have an idea Shelby, it’ll make sure your friends don’t tease you. You game?”

“For what?”

“That new outfit you’ve been pinging on us for might become a possibility... if you wash my car, but no wax. Vacuum it too. What do you say? You said all your friends would die for it.”

“When?”

“Well, get it done in 2 hours and we’ll head for the mall. With luck some one will see you and tell your not so friendly friends. We’ll take your mom to that new French restaurant and maybe your friends will hear about that.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“I love you dad, you’re the greatest. Where’s your car keys?”