Chapter 16

That evening, Heath made faces as Steffi fussed over him, making sure every detail about him was perfect.

"Maybe we should have gotten you a haircut," she suggested.

"Oh sure, Mom, as if I don't look enough like a dork already," Heath replied.

"You do not look like a dork. You look very nice. Lucky for you, you got your dad's curls."

Heath rolled his eyes. "Mom, seriously."

"Don't roll those eyes at me, young man. Now let me look at you before we go downstairs. Your dad will be taking you down to see Kellie pretty soon."

Steffi gave him one final inspection before they headed downstairs. "Get the camera, Dad, here comes our prince!" she announced.

"Ah good, the perfect opportunity to try out my new toy," Brian said cheerfully. "A few of the chip off my block and then of the happy couple before they head off to the big dance."

"Can you two think of any more ways to embarrass me further?" Heath asked.

"Be happy it is, boy," Brian responded while adjusting the camera. "You're only thirteen once, and second, some of us didn't get to go to these things when we were your age, much less with a gorgeous blonde on their arm."

"Very funny, Dad," Heath sighed.

"Who's laughing? Now stand still just like that. I want a few shots for the album and for Grandma."

"Oh God, you're sending these to Grandma too? Maybe I was better off staying home."

"Not in the least, boy. Now stand still."

"Daddy, your finger is on the lens," Audrey pointed out as Brian was about to take the picture.

"Oh, gee, thanks, sweetheart," he said appreciatively.

"Yeah, THANKS, Audi," Heath glared at her. "Now I have to go through hell a few minutes longer."

"Wait until your wedding if you think this is bad. There we go, great shot." Brian then inspected the screen. "Oh yeah, this will work."

"Can we go now?" Heath asked, a little impatient.

"Come to think of it, we better shift ass," Brian replied. "Don't want the little lady to think she's being stood up. Where's the corsage?"

Steffi pulled it out of the refrigerator. "Right here."

Heath gave it and his parents a look. "A corsage? What's this for?"

"You put it on the girl's dress when you take her to a dance, silly," Audrey said.

"Oh no. I'll probably bleed all over the place," Heath sighed.

"No, that would be your father," Steffi teased, "hence which is why we keep him away from sharp objects."

"You're just a barrel of laughs tonight, aren't you, Stef?" Brian asked before turning back to Heath. "Don't worry about it, buddy. I'm sure you'll pin it on her just fine."

"Just put on your seat belts and hang on for dear life while riding with Daddy on the way to the dance," Audrey giggled. "And have a good time while you're there."

Brian shook his head. "Let's go, boy," he said. "We don't want you to be late and I think I have been subjected to enough smart ass remarks for the evening."

A short time later:

"Just a warning, Dad's pretty weird and his driving's kind of wild," Heath muttered to Kellie as Brian took pictures of them. "Now that he has this stupid new camera, he had to get like two hundred pictures of us."

She smiled over at him. "I don't mind. I'm just glad we're going somewhere together even though I had a good time at the movies today."

"Yeah, sorry I spilled soda on you."

Kellie shrugged. "It will wash out."

"You're pretty nice for a girl, you know that?" Heath grinned.

"Well, most of the boys at home are kind of dumb and stuck up, but you're really cute and sweet," she smiled back at him. "Bryan was right about you."

"Will you two stay still for a moment?" Brian asked. "One more."

"It was 'one more' five minutes ago, Dad," Heath sighed. "Will you finish already?"

"Stay still; I'm almost done."

"Is he always like this?" Kellie asked.

"Unfortunately, he has his moments," Heath replied.

"Smile, kids." Brian said. "Look happy!"

Both of them complied.

"Come on, Heath, quit screwing around," Brian sighed.

"What? You said smile."

"I said be happy, boy," Brian said, "not freaking hysterical. Now let's try this again before we go."

The two of them posed for a couple more pictures before finally heading off to the dance, Heath sighing with relief when they finally arrived.

"Let's hope nine thirty gets here really slow after all of that," he told Kellie. "Either that or your cousin picks us up for some reason instead. I think I'd rather poke my own eye out with a fork than go through stuff like that with Dad again."

Kellie hooked her arm in his. "Come on, cutie, let's go have some fun."