It was Friday at the University of California. Annie Banks just got
out of her drafting class. Outside the door, Annie noticed a signup for a
group to go studying architecture in Rome. Annie would love to study in
Rome, but she knew how hard it would be to talk her parents, George and
Nina, into letting her go. Since she was going home this weekend, she
would ask them if she could go study abroad.
As Annie turned onto 24 Maple Drive, she prayed that it would be easy to convince her parents to let her go to Rome. But when she saw the look on George's face when he saw her, she knew he would never go for it. "Annie!" George ran to her car followed by Nina, and Annie's 7 year old brother, Matty. "Hi guys," Annie said, "I missed you!" "You're just in time for dinner, Annie," Nina said. "Oh good!" Annie exclaimed, "I miss your cooking, Mom."
At dinner, Annie decided to ask George and Nina if they would let her go to Rome. "Gosh, it's sure good to have my baby girl home for the weekend," George said, "anything new?" "Well..." Annie began, "they are sending students to a 4 month architectural program in Rome. And well, I would seriously like to go. I can get a job and save up. They leave April 10, five days after my birthday. So can I go?" "What?" George said, "my 21 year old daughter is not going to another country!" "Now, George," Nina said, "I think that it would be a great experience for her. I mean I would've loved to travel to Rome when I was 21. Annie is a responsible young adult and I think we should really give this some thought." "Well, she's so naïve," George said, "I mean those European guys will come on to her." "Dad, I am not naïve!" Annie said, "I will not let any guy take advantage of me. I'm smarter than that!" "How do you expect to pay for this?" George asked. "I can get 2 jobs," Annie said. "Well, okay," George said, "but I still don't think this is right!" "Dad, this is my big chance to get architectural experience," Annie said.
So Annie got a job as a waitress, and a job at a video store, and soon had enough to go to Rome. The day she left, George, Nina, and Matty took her to the airport. Of course, George had a hard time letting his "little girl" go, but he knew she'd be back in July!
As Annie turned onto 24 Maple Drive, she prayed that it would be easy to convince her parents to let her go to Rome. But when she saw the look on George's face when he saw her, she knew he would never go for it. "Annie!" George ran to her car followed by Nina, and Annie's 7 year old brother, Matty. "Hi guys," Annie said, "I missed you!" "You're just in time for dinner, Annie," Nina said. "Oh good!" Annie exclaimed, "I miss your cooking, Mom."
At dinner, Annie decided to ask George and Nina if they would let her go to Rome. "Gosh, it's sure good to have my baby girl home for the weekend," George said, "anything new?" "Well..." Annie began, "they are sending students to a 4 month architectural program in Rome. And well, I would seriously like to go. I can get a job and save up. They leave April 10, five days after my birthday. So can I go?" "What?" George said, "my 21 year old daughter is not going to another country!" "Now, George," Nina said, "I think that it would be a great experience for her. I mean I would've loved to travel to Rome when I was 21. Annie is a responsible young adult and I think we should really give this some thought." "Well, she's so naïve," George said, "I mean those European guys will come on to her." "Dad, I am not naïve!" Annie said, "I will not let any guy take advantage of me. I'm smarter than that!" "How do you expect to pay for this?" George asked. "I can get 2 jobs," Annie said. "Well, okay," George said, "but I still don't think this is right!" "Dad, this is my big chance to get architectural experience," Annie said.
So Annie got a job as a waitress, and a job at a video store, and soon had enough to go to Rome. The day she left, George, Nina, and Matty took her to the airport. Of course, George had a hard time letting his "little girl" go, but he knew she'd be back in July!