It was kind of quiet around the dinner table, for the moment. Helen Parr was just about bursting with joy that her daughter, her baby girl, was going out on her first date.
Bob Parr was stern-faced and slowly chewing his tuna noodle casserole like a cow chews its cud. If that Tony Rydinger were to lay one finger on his precious… It was useless, Helen had already explained to him several times that Vi was a full-grown young woman now, not a little girl. Yeah, okay, he could handle that, but his precious little full-grown daughter on a date? With a hormonal little full-grown boy? None of his super strength could have spared him from being the nervous, over-critical father. Heck, no.
Dash looked as though he could not have cared less that his older sister was going to a movie with Tony Rydinger. He was still on his little glory-trip from taking second in his track meet. The shiny silver trophy sat at the top of the bureau in the family room – he could see it glint from across the house.
Jack Jack… well, he was just as always: burping, spitting, bursting into flame… The usual.
Violet was staring out into space with a small smile on her face. Her plate remained untouched. Just one more hour… One more hour…
"Vi?"
Violet jumped in her seat. Her father was looking at her, a forced look of peace plastered on his face. "Yeah, Dad?" she asked.
"How are you and… Tommy, Timmy.."
"Tony, Dad."
"Yeah, Tony. How are you and Tony getting to the theater?"
"His mom is going to drive us. They'll be here in an hour." Her dad grunted.
"Seems kinda late to be going out, hm?"
"Bob," Helen said with warning. "Sweetie," she said, addressing back to her daughter, "I know that you two will have a wonderful time. So what movie are you seeing?"
Thankful for the escape topic, Violet spoke earnestly. "Well, we were thinking of seeing 'The Circus of Nightmares', but Tony has this weird thing with clowns," she said, giggling. "So instead, we're seeing 'Out and About Love'."
"Is that a comedy?" Helen asked.
Violet shrugged. "Eh, a romantic comedy thing." Helen's eyebrows rose, teasingly. "Oh, romantic comedy. Hmmm," she finished with a suggestive hint in her voice. Bob rolled his eyes.
"So the kid is scared of clowns, huh?"
Dash laughed at this comment.
"Bob!"
"Dad, everyone is afraid of something."
"Well, not me. I'm an Incredible! I fear nothing," he said, sticking out his chest as far as the table would allow. Helen made a coughing sound, muffling the word "spiders". Bob's eyes narrowed.
"Oh, come on, honey. This is Vi's first date. Be nice to the boy, alright?" Helen said, wiping Jack Jack's mouth.
A grumbling, "Yeahsureokay," was her returning answer.
Violet sighed inwardly. So her dad wasn't over the moon, but he'd adjust. Mom seemed happy for her, but what was most important was that she was happy for herself. Tonight would be the first "her" thing she did. Her role in the family had always been somewhat along the lines of permanent babysitter, but tonight was her chance to escape from that role, and be a young woman on and outing with a young man. She could barely stand the waiting, and just when she thought she would die from it, the doorbell rang.