AN: Here is my first contribution to my GAMM Little Story Collection. This will a an ongoing collection of small stories under 1,000 words. I will leave it to the GAMM members in the facebook group to give me suggestions for these small stories and see which ones I can make work. Let's have some fun with this! Thanks for your ongoing support.
GAMM Little Story Collection
First Date
By Dark Poltergeist
The Captain stood in the corner, arms crossed in front of him as he leaned against the wall, trying to give the impression of calm. It was a façade of course. How could he possibly be calm given the current set of circumstances? Carolyn's request that he remain neutral in view of what he was facing was completely unreasonable.
Candy, now sixteen was going out with a boy by herself, for the very first time and Daniel was well aware that she was growing into a lovely young woman. Gone were here typical jeans and T-shirt, replaced by a flowing lavender blouse and tasteful mid length purple skirt. Her make-up was sparse but tasteful, artfully applied by her mother, and her earrings were simple amethyst studs that sparkled with every drop of light.
The fact that she thought enough of the boy in questions to dress up said a lot to both of her parents. She was beautiful, far too intelligent and amazing for any young man that might care to court her. But courting was not something that happened in this day and age. No, indeed. They went out on dates, alone for Gods's sake, at the tender age of sixteen when male hormones were raging out of control!
Candy glanced at the Captain and saw that his face was suffused with an underlying anger she didn't understand, and glanced a bit nervously at her mother.
"Daniel, what do you think of Candy?"
Now he was stuck with giving a polite answer, Carolyn always knew how to maneuver him into a corner.
"You're beautiful. Far too lovely for the likes of Todd." He scowled.
"Is that a compliment?" Candy looked from the Captain to her mother, uncertain.
"My dear, Candy. Please forgive me. I meant no offense. You are indeed a vision. Any young man would be honored to have you at his side."
Candy blushed, and lowered her gaze, pleased by his compliment. "Thanks, Dad."
"Todd will love how you look," Carolyn assured.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Daniel muttered, but silenced himself when Carolyn shot him a look of reproof.
"I'm ready, Mom." Candy turned to her mother, her eyes dancing with anticipation.
"Good. Go get your purse and I'll meet you outside and drop you off in town."
Candy nodded, and left living room, excitement apparent in her steps as she all but ran out of the room.
"They grow up so fast, "Carolyn said wistfully.
"She should not be dating a boy!" Daniel thundered. "She is only sixteen."
"Which is old enough. I've met Todd, he's a nice boy."
"So, you think. I remember being that age. A young man's raging hormones are not something that should be taken lightly." He gave her a calculated look. "He may not be nearly as nice as he seems."
"Daniel, he's fine. Relax."
"In my day, we made sure that young men behaved! We had chaperones…" He stopped mid-sentence and Carolyn saw the wheel gears turning in his head as he rubbed his chin and a slow smile spread across his face.
"Daniel! Don't you dare!" Carolyn reprimanded, understanding what he was about to do. "Candy will never forgive you."
"Not if she doesn't see me. And the young lad will never know I'm there." He told her pleasantly. "As long as he behaves himself."
"Daniel…" Carolyn began, a warning tone in her voice.
"What's Dad done now?" Candy asked, as she entered the room, purse casually slung over her shoulder but her aura vibrating with anticipation.
"Just being my usual, obnoxious self," he answered easily.
"You're so funny!" She went over to him and hugged him. "You know I'll always compare every boy to you, don't you?"
"Then you'll never find someone good enough for you."
"Because you have no equal?" Candy's face dimpled in happiness.
"Precisely."
"I'm glad Mom found you. Strange as the two of you are."
"Candy, if we don't leave you'll be late."
"Oh, gotta go! Bye, Dad." She turned and ran out of the room.
"Daniel, don't you dare!" Carolyn shook her finger at him in warning.
The women in his life left him in the house and he heard the door close behind him. Behave, indeed! No daughter of his was going out unchaperoned. Even nice boys had hormone issues at this age. He would, unobtrusively, of course, make sure that Candy had a good date and that the boy behaved with proper etiquette.
He was her father after all, and it was his duty to watch over those he loved. Carolyn would rail at him later for being overprotective, but he didn't care.
Satisfied with his rational, he concentrated on Candy and disappeared, seeking out the presence of the daughter he guarded with the strength of his undying love.
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AN: okay, so more like 800 words for my writing exercise. Hope you enjoy it. As you know, I love reviews.
