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Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

Lindsey jogged up the stairs and came upon Callie's closed bedroom door. No sounds came from behind it. No music, no television show or YouTube video. He didn't even see any light. 'Was she even in there?' he wondered as he got up the courage to knock. With each step leading to this spot, he was sure she would be angry at him. He always had a close relationship with his kids and he was afraid of pushing her away. The teenage years were ones a kid needed their parents. It wasn't like being a little kid where one would need them for everything. It was different. He didn't want his kids to end up like him, sneaking off to friends' houses, smoking weed in the alley behind the high school and paying people to buy him beer at the tender age of fifteen or sixteen. Hell, he had his first cigarette at thirteen but the habit never stuck. He wasn't a troubled kid, but he had things he wouldn't dare tell his parents. It was too hard to go to them for advice and he vowed to protect and listen to his kids no matter how hard it was. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the floor. He kicked at the high pile of the shaggy pink rug in front of her bedroom door.

"You're stalling, Lindsey" he said aloud, laughing at himself for being such a coward. With another deep breath, he knocked three times.

"Who is it?" Callie called out.

"It's dad."

"I'm busy," she replied quickly and he knocked again.

"Callie, please. Let's talk." He heard footsteps, and they grew closer to the door. He straightened out his shirt and jeans as if he were going on a date, trying hard to make a good first impression. The door swung open. His daughter stood before him, thankful the sickeningly sweet perfume was dissipating and he smiled softly. "Hey."

"Hey." She walked away from the door and he stood there, waiting to be invited. "You can sit, dad." She leaned over the bed and gathered up her tissues and school books.

"So um, about earlier..." Lindsey began, taking a seat on her bed. Purple pajama clad Callie sat in her desk chair. She looked neutral. She wasn't her usual bubbly self, and though she didn't seem angry he could tell she was still upset. She crossed and uncrossed her legs; she bobbed her knee up and down waiting for him to speak. She slipped her fuzzy pink slippers on and off one foot, tapping her finger nails on the arm of the chair.

"What about it?" she asked finally.

"Callie, I...your mother and I..."

"Daddy, I know you're worried about me but it's just a party. I won't go if you don't want me to but it's not fair that you would let my brother do something and not me just because I'm a girl."

She hit the nail on the head. He chuffed out a laugh. It was short, barely audible and he looked down, scratching at his jeans. "Well, looks like you have me all figured out."

"It's not that hard. I'm your little girl, you want to protect me, but I'm growing up. I won't be moving away, or going to college yet but I need a little freedom. Studies have shown that if you give children controlled or monitored free time, it creates more balanced adults."

"Studies show that, huh?" Lindsey asked. He looked up at his intelligent daughter and he smiled. "How can I argue with that?"

Callie shrugged, a smile growing on her lips. "I'll even let you approve my outfit before I go. Please, daddy. I know it's not a once in a lifetime thing but it's my first time getting to do something like this. I really want to go; I want to be with the other girls."

"I still have to talk to your mother but...but I guess, maybe—"

"Oh daddy!" Callie squealed, getting up from her chair and nearly tackling her father to the bed. She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "You're the best daddy ever!"