Rule 8- The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: places where there are beds, sofas or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff t-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater and a goose down parka- zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.
The Shores sat round the dining table one Friday evening eating their way through the large pizza Emily had come home with. It was once again date night and Aaron was exhausted by it all, he couldn't understand how Sophia did it and how she had the energy to constantly be dating new guys. Then again, she was 16 and he was... well, age doesn't matter... he knew he went on his fair share of dates when he was her age, he just couldn't comprehend how many more rules he was going to have to envoke.
"Where are you heading tonight with Jacob, Soph?" Emily asked her daughter.
"I'm not sure yet" Sophia told them; "We thought we'd just see what we fancied doing on the night, be spontaneous and all that."
"Sophia you know I like to know where you're going to be" Aaron told her.
"Dad we're not going to do anything stupid, Jacob's a good guy, plus I remember your list of appropriate places" Sophia told him.
"Well all remember your list of appropriate places..." Charlotte said with an eye roll.
"Yeah daddy you made the places very clear from a young age" Annabelle added as Emma nodded along.
"We can't go anywhere with beds, sofas or anything softer than a wooden stool." Sophia began.
"We can't go anywhere where there are no parents, policemen or nuns within eyesight." Emma added as Emily tried to hold in her laughter at her exacerbated tone. She was only 7 years old and Aaron had got to her.
"Places where there is darkness"
"Places where there is dancing"
"Places where there is dancing in the dark"
"Places were there is holding hands and happiness"
"Places where the temperature is warm enough to make me want to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff t-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater and a goose down parka- zipped up to her throat." Sophia rhymed off as Aaron smirked, impressed she had remembered.
"Movies with a romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided."
"But movies which feature chain saws are ok"
"What about movies with princesses daddy are they ok?" Emma asked, the fear in her face growing at the thought of not being able to watch her princess movies.
"Yeah sweetie, princess movies are ok." Aaron said running a hand through her curly hair.
"and finally..." Charlie said; "Hockey games are ok, old folks homes are better."
"Girls... I'm impressed." Aaron said with a proud smile; "You actually listened to your old man"
"I would say that we were more brainwashed by our old man" Annabelle said.
"You should take my advice though about the old folks home, grandma and grandpa Rhodes would love to see you and I'm sure Jacob would love to meet them... gotta see if he passes the grandparents test." Aaron teased.
"Well considering they like you they obviously have exceptionally low standards so Jacob will pass the test, just fine." Sophia shot back.
Aaron laughed and placed his hand over his heart; "Ouch"
The family heard the front door open and close and a few seconds later, Peter had entered the dining room.
"Hi Peter!" Emma said happily.
"Hey Emmy, guys" He greeted as he took a seat opposite Sophia.
Sophia furrowed her eyebrows; "What are you doing here?"
"Your mom said you had pizza" Peter said taking a slice.
"Soph said your parents were away, the least we could do was offer you pizza" Emily said.
"Where are they off to this time?" Aaron asked.
"Thailand. They have far too much time and money on their hands..." Peter said.
"Well I'm going on a date tonight so we can't hang out" Sophia said very matter of factly, as if she was trying to hit a nerve with Peter.
"... that's ok... I have a date too" Peter responded.
"You have a date?" Sophia said, shocked at this development.
"Yes Sophia, can you not sound so shocked?" Peter asked.
"Sorry... who with?"
"Beth Morrow"
"Beth Morrow? The girl doesn't have two brain cells, why are you going on a date with her?" Sophia asked bitterly.
"Sophia, don't be rude" Emily warned.
"I like her, she's fun" Peter said with a shrug.
Sophia sat back in her chair and nodded. Then, she was hit with what she thought was a bright idea; "We should double date!"
"What?"
"Yeah, you and Beth and me and Jacob, tonight. We could go to your house considering it's empty and play pool, watch a movie." Sophia suggested.
"Wow, no parents, nuns or policemen in that venue..." Charlotte said.
"And I've been in Peter's media room, there are definitely surfaces softer than a wooden stool..." Annabelle said, stirring the pot further.
"Yeah uh... that sounds good... I should probably get back home and clear up a bit then, let Beth know the change of plans. I'll see you later, thanks for the pizza" Peter said as he left the house.
"Well now I won't be on my own with Jacob dad, satisfied?" Sophia said.
"I don't think satisfied is the correct word... for me or you" Aaron observed, seeing that Peter's date had hit a nerve with her.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Sophie likes Peter, Sophie likes Peter!" Emma chanted.
"Emma!" Sophia scolded; "I do not, we've been best friends since forever, we're both going on dates with other people!"
"Oh please, you couldn't hold back your jealousy when Peter said he was going on a date, you may as well have turned green." Annabelle commented as Sophia glared.
"You guys are so dumb." Sophia said as she stormed out of the room.
"Well, I think this is going to be her most interesting date yet" Charlotte said with a chuckle.
Later that night, Emily and Aaron were sitting on the sofa in the living room watching TV after Charlotte, Annabelle and Emma had gone to bed. Their favourite time to spend with each other was the time when they could just sit in a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company.
Suddenly, the front door opened and the door slammed shut and Sophia stormed into the room.
"Honey what's wrong?" Emily said immediately hopping up from the sofa.
"Yeah we didn't expect you back yet... or to be angry... what happened?" Aaron asked as she paced infront of her parents.
"Peter is what happened. God, he's such an idiot!" Sophia exclaimed.
"What happened?" Emily asked in her calm voice in an attempt to keep Sophia calm.
"We got in a fight because he told me that Jacob wasn't good enough for me so naturally I went to town on how crazy Beth was, they don't call her Barmy Beth in school for no reason! Where does he get off passing judgement on who I date?! He's not my father!" Sophia said before letting out a breath and sitting down inbetween her parents on the sofa.
"Soph..." Aaron began; "I think Peter made those comments because he cares about you. He didn't do it to make you feel bad, he just wants the best for you."
"Your dad is right Soph, you and Peter have been best friends for years, he's just looking out for you." Emily added. "Why are you letting his opinion on one guy you barely know get to you?"
"I don't know I just... everyone has been telling me for months that Peter is bound to make his move soon"
"His move? What move?" Aaron asked.
"His move to ask me out, god dad could you please listen" Sophia said as if it were obvious. Aaron was ready to point out to her that it was not at all obvious to a middle aged man such as himself, but he bit his tounge knowing it was not the right time to start another fight.
"But he hasn't done it! He hasn't asked me out and then he goes on a date with Barmy Beth and passes comment on my date?! What is his deal?!" Sophia said.
"Oh Soph please don't get yourself worked up about this. He's maybe scared because he doesn't want to ruin your friendship if he doesn't know how you feel... maybe you need to make the first move" Emily suggested.
"No. I don't want to talk to him right now... it's too hard." Sophia said. "But thanks for the advice and letting me rant... you guys are the best" she said as she gave them both a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to go to bed, it's been a long day... goodnight."
"Goodnight honey"
A few moments later Emily turned to Aaron with a concerned look on their face; "Do you think they'll be ok?"
"I know they will be ok... too many years have passed between the two of them not to be ok... as friends or otherwise."
"I just don't want them to lose out on something special" Emily said. "Like we almost did."
Aaron pulled Emily into his arms and smiled; "Two people that are meant to be together always find their way in the end."
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