Teen Trials

Close but not Quite

"Can Emma and I go out to a hang out up on the ridge?" Kacey asked that night.

Emma looked up surprised. He hadn't said anything to her about a party.

"Who all will be there?" Joe asked.

"Just some kids from church." Kacey said.

Joe nodded. "You know your rules?"

"Yes Sir."

"And you are responsible for keeping your cousin safe." Joe added.

"Hold on," Hunter cut in. "We didn't say his cousin could go."

"Didn't we tell you that you needed to let her be a little more independent?" Joe asked.

"Emma has a track record with parties." Hunter said.

"And what if he knew starts acting up?" Amy added.

"We can come home if Emma is hurt." Kacey jumped in.

"It's not a party anyway. It's a hangout with institute kids. They aren't going to do anything crazy." Joe said.

"Forgive me if I don't agree Joe, my institute friends could party just as hard as my school friends when I was in high school."

Joe nodded at that. "Kacey's been drunk once and we nipped it right quick. If your girl is still having problems then you aren't taking care of the problem good enough."

Emma's back stiffened, but she remained quiet.

"How about this," Joe said, plunging on. "The kids can go, but if they drink the Kacey will get his tail busted by you for allowing his cousin to get in to trouble. And I will bust Emma's tail for drinking. I can promise she won't be doing it again."

"I told you that I would handle any discipline my kids need while they are here." Hunter said.

"Let's let the kids decide." Joe said. "Kacey, you wanna take this chance to be a leader and the man of the house?"

"Yes Sir." Kacey said.

"Emma, you think you can go without drinking so you and Kacey's backsides are safe?" Joe asked.

"Yes Sir."

"You'll be home by midnight?"

"Yes Sir." Both kids said, excited for the freedom.

"And you can take the ATV up the mountain so there is less strain on Emma's knee."

"Thank you." Emma said.