I Choose You

CHAPTER 8

Meeting Mr. Sinclair

Mr. Sinclair looked up and saw the strange car approaching his driveway. He was a bit taken aback after seeing Allison exit the car. To his surprise, the young man came out eagerly without hesitation. Allison whispered to Benjamin, "We are friends and nothing more." She panicked a bit because she never talked to her dad about boys and wanted to gradually spring this on him if she would eventually date.

Benjamin Grey approached Mr. Sinclair with the sincerest intention and respect. "Good day, Reverend. How are you?" he said. 

Mr. Sinclair looked at the young man carefully bewildered as to why he was bringing his daughter home. Bradley had met Amber, Samantha, and Michael. But never him. Allison saw her father's questioning gaze from Benjamin to her. What was she going to say? She decided to take the lead before Benjamin got her into more trouble.

"Dad, this is Benjamin Grey. He moved to town two years ago after his grandfather died. We were at the library doing schoolwork," she said. Allison prayed for forgiveness. She did not lie but left out some of the truth.

It seemed to settle his confusion for a bit but Allison felt in her gut her dad would eventually talk to her about this.

Benjamin changed his mind and felt it was not the right time to bring up dating. It was too soon and Allison's father had to be comfortable with him. Furthermore, he had to be sure it was what Allison wanted. 

"Your daughter is a wonderful person. We are becoming good friends," Benjamin smiled going along with Allison.

"She is wonderful," Mr. Sinclair agreed. "Will you be attending Sunday service?" he asked Benjamin directly.

"Yes sir," Benjamin nodded. "Good. Any friend in my daughter's life should have a relationship with God. Do you agree Benjamin?" Mr. Sinclair said frankly.

"Indeed sir. And it is so wonderful God uses anyone and calls sinners to repentance despite their track record," Benjamin challenged.

Mr. Sinclair nodded and smiled slightly. He repented in his heart because he realize he had reservations regarding this young man. 

Okay, what is happening here? Allison thought. She never saw her father respond so strongly to anyone. However, she never brought a boy home before. Also, it raised alarm bells in her mind. Was her father saying that Benjamin was not good enough for her if he was not Christian? Of course, she would not date anyone who did not believe in God. But it was not like her father to be so judgemental. All were invited to Christ. But perhaps it is different because I am his daughter, she thought.

"Benjamin, thanks for bringing me home. I will call you later," Allison said. Allison did not like where this was leading and she was not prepared to play referee. 

Benjamin turned and smiled at her. "Later, for sure," he responded.

"Reverend, it was nice meeting you sir," Benjamin said. Mr. Sinclair nodded as he watched him drive away.

Allison faced her father and said, " I'll get dinner ready." 

Mr. Sinclair was not convinced this was simply a friendship.

The Conversation

Allison was stunned her dad was really quiet during dinner. They sometimes went on about their day and they both were a bit distant in their interaction with each other. 

Finally, Mr. Sinclair broke the silence. "Allison, who is that boy? And I want the truth?" he said.

Allison swallowed. Why was her dad pushing this? "Dad, he is just a friend," Allison said not yet ready to discuss this with her dad. She had yet to wrap her mind around what she and Benjamin were for herself.

"Allison, you have always been so focused and driven not allowing anything to distract you. You will be going to college soon. You have goals and ambitions. You are a Christian. Most certainly, you must be wise with your choices," Mr. Sinclair continued.

"Don't forget real obedient too," Allison told her dad intentionally. All of this is just because I brought this boy home, Allison thought. "I have never disrespected you or gone against anything you have said, Dad. You raised me right. I will never start making poor decisions at this point in my life," Allison reminded him.

"Allison, I don't want you to be influenced into doing anything contrary to your beliefs. Thus, you need to be careful who you spend your time with," he advised her. 

"Where is all of this coming from?" Allison asked afraid to know the truth.

"Where do I begin? You came home late with a boy I have never met before. The same boy I saw my daughter going out of her room to talk too late at night when she thought I was asleep. A boy who I could tell who wants to be more than your friend. I recognize that there is something else going on," Mr. Sinclair explained.

Allison felt bad that her dad saw this the other night. "Dad, I am sorry about that. He showed up and I just talked with him briefly last night. I apologize for that. But nothing is going on between us. We are just talking and I am trying to figure things out on my end," Allison admitted.

"How does this boy really feel about you? Does he like you? " Mr. Sinclair asked. "I guess," Allison said quietly. "Exactly, Allison I see it in his eyes. I was once a teenage boy too. I don't think he right for you," Mr. Sinclair confessed. Deep down he hated to admit it. He met Allison's mother in high school too and fell in love with her. Benjamin's eyes reminded him of his back then. He looked at Allison's mother the same way. The last thing he wanted was to lose his daughter to this boy especially not knowing anything about him. 

"Dad, honestly he is interested. I have not made up my mind about him. But I would hope you trust me enough to make my own decision. You have trained me well. Believe it or not, I see kindness, compassion, and humor in Benjamin just like you Dad. Perhaps, if you got to know him you may feel differently about him," Allison shared with her father.

"Allison please remain focused, on your studies and college," Mr. Sinclair said sternly.

"Dad let me decide this for myself. I will be in college soon. Do you want me to avoid guys in college as well? You told me I could come to you about anything. Does that only apply when it pleases you?" Allison asked disappointed in how her dad was handling this. 

"Allison, don't make this about us. We never had to deal with guys before" he reminded her. "You are a well respected and an example for your peers. You don't want to ruin your reputation," Mr. Sinclair pointed out.

"Dad, what are you saying? My peers ridicule me for being the preacher's daughter. Do you realize I have been bullied because of my beliefs, clothes, and being a pk kid? High school was not good for me. I never told you because I never wanted to burden you. Benjamin may not be up to your standards but he is the first boy who has shown interest in me. The boy who you think is not good enough does not let others influence his thinking. I am sorry if this does not fit the norm you had in mind for my life. However, I have not changed Dad," Allison said frustrated. 

Bradley Sinclair was shocked about his daughter's confession about school and being bullied. She never mentioned having such a hard time in school before. Her grades and academic performance were excellent so he was in awe that she had so many challenges going on in other areas. Why didn't she tell me this before? he thought. Obviously, there were some things they had to talk about. The last thing he wanted to do was make her shut him out. He knew she would be eighteen and free to date without his influence but he wanted to hold on and encouraged her decisions as much as he could. Allison meant everything to him.  

"Dad, can I be excused?" Allison asked getting up from the table. The last thing he wanted to do was push her away. "Yes, you can," he said softly coming to grips with all she confessed earlier. Allison left and headed to her room and wished that her mom was alive so she could get her dad to reason.