Read Online First Date by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page B

getting way out of hand these days.”
    “Dad,” Abby said in exasperation. “This is Northwood Academy we’re talking about. Nothing gets out of hand there.”
    “Well, you never know. For instance, your mom and I work at what is supposedly a good Christian college, and yet some of the things that have happened there—well, don’t get me going.”
    “That’s life, Bruce. Just because a few college kids make bad choices doesn’t mean Abby is going to. Look how responsible she’s been. And she keeps her grades up. I really don’t see anything wrong with her going to a dance.” Mom peered at Abby. “You mentioned your friends are going. Which ones?”
    “And who’s the boy?” Dad demanded.
    “It’s not for sure.” Abby wished she hadn’t started this conversation.
    “Who is he?” Dad asked. “Is there some reason you don’t want us to know his name?”
    “Only because he hasn’t even asked me,” she said in frustration. “But if you must know, his name is Kent Renner. He’s a really nice guy. He’s a good musician, he’s academic, and he plays basketball and soccer too.”
    “He sounds well-rounded and interesting,” Mom said.
    “Sure, he sounds great,” Dad said doubtfully, “but that’s from her perspective. We don’t even know him.”
    “Will it be a group date?” Mom asked.
    Abby wasn’t really sure about the group date thing, but because she seemed to have Mom’s support, she decided tojust go with it. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be a group date,” she said quickly. “Bryn and Cassidy and Emma would go too.”
    “I like those girls.” Mom nodded.
    “And a new girl too.”
    “Who’s that?” Dad asked, and again the suspicion crept into his voice. Abby knew it was because he loved her and because he had only one daughter to focus on. Just one more reason she wished she wasn’t an only child.
    “Her name’s Devon Fremont,” she told them. “She’s been friends with Emma since they were babies. She just transferred to Northwood because her mom thought the public schools were losing their academic edge.”
    “That and a few other things too,” Dad said. “From what I hear, anyway.”
    “Is Devon a nice girl?” Mom asked. It was funny how oblivious parents could be when they asked questions like that. How did they expect their kids to answer?
    “Yeah. She’s really nice. We’ve been trying to make her feel at home at Northwood. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to switch schools like that.”
    “That’s so kind of you.” Mom smiled.
    “So you guys are cool with me dating, then?” Abby asked hopefully. This was going even better than she had expected.
    “I wouldn’t go that far,” Dad said a bit sharply.
    “Oh, Bruce.” Mom sighed. “We have to let her grow up someday. Like she said, she’s almost seventeen. Remember what you were doing at her age?”
    “Ugh. Don’t remind me. That’s precisely why I’d prefer she postpone dating for a while.”
    “Why?” Abby asked.
    “Because I remember it well. I know what boys are likeat that age. Seventeen .” He grimly shook his head. “Their testosterone is running rampant, and they’re after one thing and one thing only.”
    Mom giggled. “Bruce, that’s so judgmental.”
    “So, Dad, do you mean that’s what you were like when you were seventeen?” Abby asked.
    Dad cleared his throat. “Well, I, uh . . . no.”
    “Tell the truth,” Mom urged.
    “Well, sure, I had hormones like any other normal seventeen-year-old boy. But I also knew how to keep them under control. My parents taught me to respect girls.” He chuckled. “My mama would’ve taken a belt to me if I didn’t.”
    “Don’t you think there are still some nice boys out there?” Mom said to him. “And don’t you think we’ve raised our daughter to be aware of what makes for a nice boy . . . and how to recognize the other kind and go the best direction?”
    Dad rubbed his chin. “Well, I’d like to think so. I