My mother clapped her hands in delight and stared at my father. "Did you hear that, Herbert? Dobie's in love!"
"Well of course he's in love, Winnie! He's been in love since he was old enough to say the word!"
"Now, Herbert-."
"No Mom, he's right. I have been in love before… or at least I thought I was." I admitted. "But I was wrong. This time I'm sure I 'm in love because… the most wonderful thing happened. Thalia Menninger asked me out on a date. To the Spring Formal!"
Mom's eyes widened. "Thalia… asked you…"
When I glared at her she smiled. "Well, that's just… wonderful! But what about Zelda Gilroy? I thought she was the one you loved?"
"Aw geez, Mom, where did you get a crazy idea like that? Zelda loves me, not the other way around! I don't now nor will I ever love Zelda Gilroy!" I didn't mean to yell but was I sore at my mother! The nerve of her, saying such a ridiculous thing!"
To my dismay, Mom lowered her head. "Well… all right, Dobie. If you say so."
"Look Mom, I'm sorry but Zelda's just not my type of girl! Now I'm taking Thalia to that dance and that's final!"
"All right, Dobie." Mom said again. "Now what is it that you wanted?"
I swallowed hard. "Fifteen dollars."
My parents' eyes widened. "FIFTEEN DOLLARS?" my mother exclaimed.
"FIFTEEN DOLLARS? FIFTEEN DOLLARS?" Dad yelled, sounding like a mynah bird that Maynard and I once encountered in a pet store. We foolishly though that stupid bird would help us pass a test. Boy, what a mistake that was! Stupid bird!
"FIFTEEN DOLLARS?" Dad yelled again.
"Dad, look-."
"No way, Dobie! No way! You're not getting fifteen dollars and that's it and that's final!"
'"But Dad-."
"No buts! Until you start doing some work around here, you won't get a dime from me!"
"But Herbert, Dobie has been working!" Mom pointed out. "He stocked the shelves and cleaned the stock room! Don't you think that's worth fifteen dollars?"
"Winnie-."
"Herbert, he's in love!"
Dad just grumbled. "Love shmove! Winnie, I'm telling you-."
"And I'm telling you, Herbert! If you love our youngest son, you'll do this for him-and for me!"
Finally Dad smiled. Underneath that gruff exterior lay a heart of gold-well, when it came to my mom anyway. Dad was just an old softie.
"What do you say, Dad? Will you loan me the money? I'll do the dishes-."
Dad sighed deeply and without a word walked to the cash register. He pushed the NO SALE button and the drawer popped open. My eyes widened as he reached into the slot and retrieved the crisp bills. "That's five, ten and five more makes fifteen."
"Gee thanks Dad, really. I can't tell you how much this means to me." The words poured from my mouth faster than I could think them.
"Don't thank me, thank your mother!" Dad grumbled. "And if you really want to thank her-and me, you'll make sure that you show this Thalia the time of her life!"
I smiled and stood tall and proud. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad. The Spring Formal will be a night that Thalia Menninger will never forget!"
And with any luck, neither would I.