I'm New York City

thirty six

"Sage Madeline Alwyn, since when do you have a boyfriend!" I raised my voice, frustrated.

I felt like I was definitely hearing things now. There was no way that my daughter had a boyfriend. Sage barely even sees guys, doesn't leave the house, or socializes.

"Since a couple days ago... it's Mason," she smiled.

Mason? That kid from James' birthday party? I knew there was something wrong with him. I know he's just trying to get with my daughter for the fun of it.

"Sage, when's the last time you saw this kid? Don't tell me it was at her birthday party," I said sternly.

Sage sighed, throwing her clothes onto her bed. "Yes, so what? We've been texting and calling like everyday," she explained, making my blood boil even more.

It's definitely not that I don't trust my daughter, but I don't trust that kid. I heard he had just transferred to their school and now I find out he is dating my daughter?

"We're going to arrange some time for me to meet this kid. I have some words for him," I said.

Sage gasped, "But Mom!" I shook my head as I walked out of her room.

I yelled at her once again to finishing getting ready and I went back into Joe and I's bedroom. He walked out of the bathroom right as I sat down on our bed. So much happened at once and it still felt unreal. I still couldn't accept the fact that Sage has a boyfriend. I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it to happen so fast, especially to someone she had only met once.

"What's wrong?" Joe asked, standing in front of me.

I already knew that Joe would be even more furious than me. That was his little girl and I already know that he couldn't bear to know that she has started dating.

"Go ask our oldest, she's probably in her room texting her boyfriend..." I dragged on. Joe looked at me shocked and confused.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. I chuckled at his reaction once again.

"Our daughter has a boyfriend," I informed him.

Joe huffed, starting to pace back and forth as he looked around the room. I couldn't help but laugh at how worked up he got. After a moment of silence, he stormed out of the room and I immediately knew he was headed towards Sage's room.

"Sage Madeline Alwyn! You open up this door right now!" Joe yelled, knocking onto her door.

Sage swung the door open looking pissed. "What do you want?!" she exclaimed, making Joe more upset.

I saw that she was already dressed and shook my head, "Come on, stop it. We're gonna be late for dinner," I told Joe, pushing him away from her door.

On the way to the restaurant, Sage has been silent, definitely giving us the silent treatment. Whenever she gets upset her first instinct has been to not talk to anyone. I've decided to respect her for the meantime just so she can cool down first.

"Sage, sit next to me," Joe said as we approached our table. The restaurant we were dining at were kind enough to give us a private room. I had informed them that it was not needed, but looking at how busy it was tonight, I was thankful to them.

When it was time to order our food, Sage continued on and didn't say a word. I ordered her pasta, knowing that's something she'll always eat.

"Did you lose your voice, Sage?" Ivy asked. Sage rolled her eyes at her sister making Ivy huff and slouch down into her seat.

"Hey, sit up," Joe told her.

"I will be needing to meet this boyfriend of yours," Joe said nonchalantly. I looked over at him, realizing how serious he was.

Sage looked at him, still not saying a word and shrugged her shoulders. When the food arrived, we began to eat and I looked over at Sage who took little bites, pushing her food around.

By this point, Joe was about to burst. Seeing how Sage was able to ignore him for that long took him by surprise. When we arrived back home, Sage was quick to head towards the stairs, but Joe stopped her.

"Sit down on the couch," he demanded. Ivy quickly sensed the tension and bolted up the stairs.

I always knew that Joe was going to be overly protective when the girls would get a boyfriend one day, but this was not what I was expecting.

"Are you going to continue ignoring me or are you going to act like your age and talk?" Joe asked, standing in front of her.

Sage sighed and I could see tears forming in her eyes. I stayed in the room, sitting on the other couch, watching the two. I just hoped Joe wouldn't go too far and over step his boundaries with her where she'd explode.

"Why do you care so much?" Sage finally whispered.

"Care so much? You're my daughter, of course I care! But you not talking to us isn't the answer. We simply ask about this new boyfriend of yours and you pull this stuff on us. Are you hiding something? Is there something you don't want us to know about him?" he went on.

"I didn't want to tell you guys because I knew you would act like this! I've never actually talked to a guy before and talking to him is different and he makes me feel special!" Sage exclaimed.

I could see how much this Mason kid already meant to her. I was surprised that she hasn't tried sneaking out to see him again.

"I don't know that until I meet him. Tell him to come over soon, I want to know this guy who is in love with my daughter," Joe instructed.

I already knew there was no way Joe was going to let this go. He wasn't going to fly back for work until he met this boy.

Sage sighed, but nodded her head. I watched as Joe took a deep breath and kissed her forehead, telling her to get ready for bed. No matter what, that was still his little girl.

I walked over to Joe who now sat on the couch where Sage was sitting. I smirked as he pulled me in his embrace.

"I don't like this one bit," he mumbled.

"Get used to it, this is only the start." I sighed.