Chapter 22

"All right, Dad; I know you're up to something," Joey said, eying Brian suspiciously. "You and Lorelei have been kind of sneaky the last few days, and the other night, you sent me home with Paul while you two took off until late. Spit it."

"I think it would make more sense when Lorelei comes in from work," Brian answered.

"So it does have to do with her!" she piped up.

"You could say that, kiddo." He was barely able to contain himself as it was; to spill the beans now before Lorelei got in the door would ruin the plan for both of them to tell Joey about their impending wedding.

"When is she coming home anyway?"

"Jesus, bambino, hold your water for another ten minutes, will you? And don't be raiding the refrigerator; we're going out for dinner tonight."

Joey brightened a little. "Wow, this must be something big if you're springing for dinner."

He looked at her. "Are you calling me cheap?" he asked teasingly.

"Maybe," she teased back.

"Perhaps you're right," Brian grinned, "but this is one occasion I will make an exception."

"This has to be really, really big."

"Bigger than you will ever know, kid."

"Well, I was going to go play football in the alley with some of the guys downstairs for a bit, but since this is so important, I can delay that."

"Uh, Joey, that's something else I need to discuss with you."

"What, me playing football? I thought guys liked sports."

"Of course sports are good, but sweetheart, you're almost seventeen years old and before we know it, you'll be graduating from high school. I think it's time for you to start being a young lady."

"Eww, does this mean I have to start wearing dresses and shit? And act all prissy and that stuff like some of the posh girls at school?"

"Actually, you can still be a lady without all that. I mean more like cut down on the language, playing football in the alley, making challenges with boys, fighting with other girls, and throwing spit balls, to name a few."

"I don't mind giving up the other stuff," she said, "but do I really have to quit playing football?"

Brian sighed; he guessed he could take the girl off the street, but not the street out of the girl.. Besides, Joey was willing to compromise a little; what was a game of football here and there? It certainly beat smacking around, scratching and pulling out hair of one of the cheerleaders and God knows how many other scraps Joey had gotten into at school.

"Okay," he relented. "I guess it won't hurt, but don't do it in such short shorts next time."

"Gee, Dad, overprotective much?"

"It's my job. Seriously, Joey, no shorts next year that are more than four inches above the knee. You can attract even more attention from perverts and molesters and you're beautiful enough as it is without that."

"Oh good, which means I can keep my board shorts."

"That's my girl."

Lorelei then came in the door. "Having a little chat I see."

"Just having a talk about it being time for the little miss here to act like a lady."

"Though I can still play football and wear my board shorts," Joey nodded. "So Dad, what's the big thing you wanted to tell me about now that Lorelei's home?"

"For God's sake, Joey, she barely got in the door. At least let her change her clothes and relax a bit before we leave."

Lorelei looked at him. "You still haven't said anything?"

"I was waiting for you to get back and then we all went to dinner," Brian explained.

"Well I'm here now," she said. "Don't torture the girl like that."

Lorelei turned to Joey. "Sit down, honey. It's time Daddy and I got this out of the way. We've held it in long enough."

"Okay, if you insist," Brian replied, getting up and going to a drawer where they had kept Lorelei's ring since the purchase.

Joey's eyes widened at the sight of the small velvet box. "Is that what I think it is?"

Brian was about to hand it to Lorelei. "Perhaps," he teased Joey further.

"Oh come on, Dad, if you're going to give that to her, do it right!"

"You heard the young lady," Lorelei grinned at him.

"But I already asked once," he protested.

"Brian," Lorelei said, giving him a look. "Again, for your daughter."

He sighed. "Okay, but be warned, I'm not good at these formal type things."

"Give it your best shot. I don't think Joey is going to be that fussy."

"I'm not," Joey agreed. "Come on, Dad."

"Okay." He then got down on one knee, presenting Lorelei with her ring, putting it on her finger.

"See?" Joey said. "That wasn't bad at all!"

She then hugged both of them. "I'm finally going to get a real mom."

Regaining her composure quickly, Joey added," So where are we going for dinner? I'm starved! Watching one's dad get engaged takes a lot out of a girl!"