Then the doorbell rang. Saved by the bell, I said to myself. She jumped up in a hurry to open the door. “It’s Dad. I gotta go.” As soon as she opened it, she hugged her father just like when she was a little girl. “I’m ready, Dad. Let’s go.”

“Okay, sweetheart, but first let me say hi to your mom.”

He walked into the kitchen and immediately noticed the annoyance on my face.

“Did I interrupt something?” he asked.

“Something like that. Rebecca was telling me what happened at the party last night.”

“What party? Her boss’s party?” He turned to Rebecca in confusion, but she was no longer in the doorway — she had slipped out. “Yeah, I know. She showed up at my place all dressed up and told me the party had been called off at the last minute.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“I couldn’t be more serious. We had dinner in the backyard, drank some beers, and ended up taking a dip in our clothes. We had a lot of fun. Then I drove her here myself. I don’t see what the problem is — she’s doing just great.”

“Yeah, there’s nothing to worry about. Except for the fact that she lied to me, bailed on her boss’s party, lied to you, ruined an expensive dress, came home barefoot, and on top of that, you drove her here after a night of drinking. I don’t see what the problem is either.”

“Samesies. Go figure.”