"Carl, I thought I called the credit card company to stop sending us these offers to open another line of credit.
We already have enough cards as it is," Harriet Winslow said to her husband, who was watching a football game on a typical Saturday afternoon.
"Let me see that for a minute," said Carl, looking up from the TV screen.
Harriet passed the mail onto Carl, who scanned over one envelope and said, "Great, they arrived.
Are they what I think it could be?" Harriet asked.
"They are, Carl replied, after opening the envelope and calling his and Harriet's kids upstairs, Edward, Laura, can we see you two in the living room please?"
The teenage boy and girl made their way downstairs.
"Hey dad, whatever it is, I'm innocent till proven guilty," said eighteen year old Edward, or Eddie as he'd like to be called.
"Relax, nobody is in trouble.
Your mother and I though would like to take to you both about finances," said Carl.
"Finances?
What kind of finances?" asked sixteen year old Laura.
"Well, you father and I have been talking about for awhile now, but I think it's time for you both to have your own credit cards,"
"Wait a minute, are you really going to give us credit cards?" asked a now very excited Eddie.
"Yes we did," Harriet replied.
"Oh wow!
Just think of all the new threads and sneakers I can buy.
I can date in style.
Maybe even put a down payment on a car."
"Now hold on there Edward.
I put a limit on your cards for one hundred dollars each.
One hundred for you and one hundred for Laura," Carl pointed out.
And that money is to be used for an emergency or something you need for school.
And no, new clothes and shoes don't count," added Harriet.
"Don't worry mom, dad, I promise, and thank you both for the credit card," said Laura.
"Thanks mom, thanks dad," said Eddie.
"You're welcome kids.
Just remember to save the cards for school or emergencies," Harriet reminded her son and daughter.
"And be careful not to loss the cards either," added Carl.
"I'm going upstairs now to put this in my bag," said Laura, heading back to her room.
"And this little beauty is going straight into my wallet," said Eddie, taking his wallet out of his back jeans pocket.
Only to be greeted by glares from Carl.
"To be used for emergencies or school," the teenager concluded, before heading up to his room as well.
Harriet turned to her husband, and asked, "Carl, do you think we're doing the right thing teaching the kids about financing by giving them each a credit card?"
"Well, Harriet, they are sixteen and eighteen.
Laura and Edward actually have it easy with credit cards.
When I was their ages, I had to learn from my mom by using and balancing a checkbook," Carl replied.
"Same here.
The most important thing is that Eddie and Laura make the right choices."
"I'm sure they will.
Well, I know Laura will, but Edward, I'm not so sure."
"Just give them a chance.
Let's see what happens in the next few days."
"OK Harriet.
I'm sure the kids will know how to handle the cards."
"That's right.
Laura and Eddie are mature responsible teenagers."
"No way Eddie!
I took out the trash last night!" Laura snapped to her brother.
"Did not Laura!
It was me!" Eddie shouted back, as the two teenagers headed back downstairs.
As their son and daughter headed into the kitchen, Carl turned to Harriet, with a look on his face.
"Ok, maybe not as mature as I thought," said Harriet.
About a week later on an early Saturday afternoon, Carl was heading off to start a night shift with his job at the police station.
While he normally didn't work weekend, Carl was doing a favor for a fellow officer, who couldn't make it in, as his wife went into labor the night before.
Just he was about to leave, Carl heard the doorbell.
"Coming," he called out to answer to see who it was.
Standing in the doorway was Maxine, Laura's best friend.
"Hi Mr. Winslow," said Maxine.
"Hello Maxine.
Come on in.
Laura will be down soon," said Carl, as he invited the guest in.
"Thank you Mr. Winslow, said Maxine, as she entered the house, I see you're going into work.
"Yes, one of the rookies just became a first-time father, so everyone at the station is filling in for him."
"That's great."
At that moment, Laura came down.
"Hi Max, she called out, to her friend.
"Hey girl," Maxine replied.
"I'll be ready to go shortly."
"So, what are you two have plan for today?" Carl asked.
"We're just heading to the mall," Laura answered.
"It's my cousin Jennette's birthday, and Laura's helping me pick out a gift," Maxine added.
"Sounds like a great plan.
You girls be safe.
"We will daddy, you be safe to.
Love you," said Laura, as she gave her father a hug.
"Love you to sweetheart," said Carl, hugging his daughter back and called out bye to Maxine, as he headed out the door.
Girl, what's that scent you have on?
It smells great," Laura asked.
"Thanks.
It's this new perfume I just got, called Roar.
Guarantee to make the guys come running or your money back," Maxine replied.
"Wait a minute, you've got a man Waldo," Laura pointed out, referring to Maxine's boyfriend, who is also a friend of Eddie's.
"How do you think we became steady?"
The two teenage girls laughed.
"Got any on you?" Laura asked.
"A half of bottle in my purse," Maxine answered.
Laura and Maxine headed upstairs to try the perfume.
Meanwhile, back downstairs, Eddie, Waldo and Steve Urkle, a long-time neighbor of the Winslows, who is a buddy of Eddie's, and who has also pined for Laura, since meeting her in Kindergarten.
"Man, I'm starving.
Shooting hoops all morning has made me hungry," said Eddie.
"Me to.
I can eat a whole block of cheese," added Steve.
"Hey Waldo, how about whipping up some sandwiches?"
"I don't think I can do that, but I can make us some sandwiches," answered Waldo, who despite being slightly dim was a pro in the kitchen, when it came to cooking and baking.
Eddie and Steve just shook their heads in respond.
"Be sure to add extra cheese to mine," said Steve as he and Waldo walked into the kitchen.
While the two did that, Eddie reached into his back pocket, took out his wallet, pulled out an item, which was his credit card, picked up Laura's purse, that she left on the couch, before going upstairs to try on Maxine's perfume, removed the wallet from inside and was about to remove something out of it.
"Eddie, what are you doing?" a voice asked, as Eddie looked up to see Steve, standing in the doorway.