Chapter two: The Field Trip

Rockville High School

          Lee walked into Jenny's classroom, pinning his visitor's badge onto his lapel. She had made him promise to wait in the car for five minutes before coming in, so her friends wouldn't see them together. He was immediately intercepted by Jenny's teacher, who came over and shook his hand. "Mr. Stetson, I am so glad you were able to do this. It's not often we get dads as chaperons. I think it's just wonderful you would take time out of your schedule to help."

          "My daughter doesn't seem to feel the same way, Mrs. Wilcox," Lee replied with a smile. "She seems to think that I'm only doing this to embarrass her."

          "That's the teenage mind, I'm afraid."

          "You know, my wife told me the exact same thing yesterday."

          "How is Amanda, anyway? I was so hoping she could be with us today," the teacher asked.

          "Well, one of us had to work and she drew the short straw, so I'm the lucky one."

          In another corner of the room, a group of mothers stood in a semicircle, casting furtive glances at Lee.

          "Um, um, um, he is one fine specimen of a man," one of the mothers, Mrs. Sanchez, said.

          "Oh, Maricella, if he and Amanda ever break up, I plan on being first in line to comfort him," replied her friend, Mrs. Cabot.

          A third woman, Mrs. Richards, snorted and added, "As if that would ever happen, Julia. Have you ever seen those two together? It's like they're still newlyweds."

          "Well, girls, I don't know what their secret is, but they've somehow been able to keep their marriage exciting," Maricella answered, enviously.

          "I know, and they even work together at what must be the dullest job imaginable, making government films on things like crop rotation, and other similar scintillating topics."

          At that the women laughed out loud. Lee glanced over at them and smiled. "Excuse me, Mrs. Wilcox, I think I'll go over and talk with the other chaperons."

          Ever charming, Lee walked over to the group of women and they nearly fell over themselves trying to impress him.

          Jenny looked at the scene in disgust, deliberately turning her back on her father. She didn't like seeing him flirt with other women. Her friend Rachel came up to her and grabbed her shoulder. "Jenny, your dad."

          "Huh?" she asked. "What?"

          "Your dad," she said dreamily, looking over where Lee and the moms were still talking.

          "What about him? I didn't want him to be a chaperon, you know. I even threatened not to come today, but he made me."

          "Oh my gosh, Jenny, he's so fine," she gushed.

          Jenny nearly screamed, "Eww! He's my dad and he's old!"

          "Yeah, but for an old guy, he sure is hot."

          "Eww, again."

          "What? All the girls think so. We even signed up to be in his group today for the field trip. You're in his group, aren't you?"

          "No, I'm not. He'd embarrass me, Rachel; he still calls me Jenny Bear," she whispered. "It's OK when you're 4, but not 14."

          They were interrupted by an announcement from Mrs. Wilcox at the front of the room. "All right students. You need to find your chaperon and go out to the front of the school where the bus is waiting. Each chaperon will take roll for his or her group. If you need to use the facilities, please go now. It's a long bus ride into the D.C. I'll give further instructions once we're all on the bus."

          Suddenly, Lee found himself surrounded by a gaggle of teenage girls. He looked for his daughter and saw her standing alone and forlorn beside one of the other chaperons. He tapped Rachel on the shoulder and pulled her aside. "Rachel, why is Jenny all by herself?"

          "She signed up for a different chaperon, Mr. Stetson. She didn't want to be in your group," she answered him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

          Lee looked down at her with a smile. "Don't worry about my feelings, Rachel. Jenny made it clear to me last night that she wanted nothing to do with me today. But I need to know if you would you do me a favor?"

          "Sure, what?" she replied.

          "Would you ask Mrs. Wilcox if you could switch groups? I really think Jenny would like being with her best friend today," he told her with a charming smile.

          "Uh, OK, Mr. Stetson," she said dejectedly.

          He smiled broadly, revealing his dimples. "Jenny sure has a great friend in you, Rachel. Thanks."

          Once the groups were squared away, Lee led his to the bus where they loaded up and began their ride to the Capitol.