Characters: Nick, Alice, Peggy
Word Count: 394
Notes: Peggy is a teenager here. Hopefully, it’s clear who is talking, but I’ll be happy to clarify if anyone has questions.
“Ugh, Dad, you’re being so unfair!”
“There’s no need for dramatics, young lady.”
“I’m not being dramatic! You’re being impossible!”
“I am not being impossible.”
“Yes, you are! Steven was allowed to date when he was sixteen. I’m sixteen! Why can’t I go on a date?”
“Your daughter makes an excellent point, Nick.”
“Alice this is between Peggy and I. You don’t need to get yourself involved.”
“Oh really? Because I was under the impression that because Peggy is my daughter too, I was already involved.”
“Right on, Mom.”
“Peggy, dear, you’re not helping the situation.”
“Sorry, Mom. Now, can I go out with Ralph or not?”
“I said no…”
“I don’t see why not. As long as you’re home by your curfew, which is ten. Though I think your father and I would both like it if when he picked you up he came in so we could meet him.”
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Oh, I’ve got to call him and set it up, and then decide what to wear!”
“You’re welcome dear…my, she didn’t even stay long enough for me to finish.”
“Alice, why on Earth did you agree to let our daughter go out with that…boy?”
“Because she’s sixteen, and that’s what sixteen-year-olds do. It’s what we did when we were sixteen.”
“That’s what I’m worried about! I know what sixteen-year-old boys think like! I don’t want them around my daughter!”
“Nick, darling, don’t you trust Peggy?”
“Yes. It’s the boys I don’t trust.”
“Don’t you trust her enough not to put up with a boy getting fresh with her?”
“…Yes. Alice, I can’t stand it when you raise your eyebrow like that. It reminds me of my mother when she thought we were being stupid. You think I’m being stupid, don’t you?”
“I think you’re behaving like a father who’s not ready to let his little girl grow up yet.”
“You’re right. And I am going to get to meet this Russ…”
“Ralph, dear.”
“Whatever. Whoever he is, I’m going to make sure he knows that if he does anything to hurt my little girl, he won’t live long enough to regret it.”
“Of course you are. You know, I’m beginning to think that it’s not teenagers that cause grey hair. I think it’s dealing with your husband dealing with teenagers that gives you grey hair.”
