“I did too. I knew I wasn’t totally wrong.”

“I am going to tell you something maybe I shouldn’t, but you need to know. She looks worse today than she did when I found her in the woods.”

“Damn. What are they doing to her?”

His eyes glazed. “Mand. This is how it goes when the lawyers call the shots. A first year nursing student could do better.”

“Dad. A first year nursing student could make a mistake and kill her. I know that.”

“And you are then smarter than the lawyer.”

“Dad. She is such a nice person.”

“The things she said and did during the time she was in the woods, while we were getting her out, while you mom was taking care of her, she is possibly one of the nicest entertainers I have known. She wanted to get out, she was hurt, but she was patient with us. There was none of the “I”m a celebrity and you need to take better care of me because I am’ that I have seen all too often. And Mand, I know you would do well in the woods like that if it had happened to you. But I don’t think you would have done one bit better, maybe not as good. Her dad taught her a lot and she listened.”

“Do you think I don’t?”

“No. I know you do. I am not sure I have done as good a job.”

“Dad. I get upset, I sometimes get downright pissed off at you. But most of the time after I cool down I have to admit you are right. And the few times I still disagree with you, I am pretty sure the best is close to what you decided, even if it isn’t exact.”

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to be a father to an intelligent, headstrong, attractive teen?”

She started to laugh. “About as hard as it is to be a daughter to a father who seems to know everything, think he is right all the time, and has a wife to agree with him?”

He hugged her. “I never thought about it that way.”

“By the way dad. I was thinking about the trip to the shore.”

“You aren’t going.”

“Can I ask why?”

“Because it is with guys I don’t know. The driver has two accidents on his record, both his fault and I checked, the cops say he drives way too fast.”

“He’s a careless driver.”

“One of the girls going has had an abortion so she is, you know.”

“It’s OK to say, dad, she was having sex. And she still is. She is on the pill and she carries, you know.” She rolled her eyes, “protection for the guy to wear.”

“The guy you would be paired up with has a teen alcohol charge against him.”

“He’s a drunk. And he plays with drugs. One of the girls thinks he did her with ecstasy.”

“Why are you agreeing with me? You wanted to go.”

“Wanted to, yes. Want to, not any more. On the way I had a conversation with Harry. He convinced me you were right to say I couldn’t go.”

“Did you?”

“No dad. He told me about Sandra and Sally, they lived with him and Dora after their parents died. They went on a night like I wanted to. Let’s say it came out bad. Harry picked up the girls after Sally was drugged with ecstasy but before anything, you know. I realized how much like that the trip to the shore sounded. Dad, you were right.”

“I wish I were every time.”

She gave him a hug. “I’m sorry.”