Spark Into a Flame

Lin

Joey had always been a reliable kid but I didn't like the turn she had recently taken.  The attitude, the lying and sneaking around.  Staying with Elliott after I told her not to.  I knew the teenage years could be challenging but I was hoping my daughter would be an exception.

My run had helped.  I didn't run that often but when I did it always helped clear my head.  I needed to make it more of a habit.  When I'd jogged for a good 45 minutes I arrived back home and went straight to the shower.

As I let the hot water stream over me, I thought about Clarita's threat.  She basically wanted me to force them to break up.  I wasn't going to do that.  Elliott was a great guy and I wanted my daughter to be with someone who was respectful and treated her right.  What else did Clarita want in a partner for our daughter?  It was beyond me how she thought she could just tell them to stop having sex and they would.

Pippa and I needed to sit Elliott and Joey down and explain the situation.  I wasn't going to encourage them to lie to Clarita, but we needed to have some kind of understanding to keep her at bay.  And if I was going to help Joey out with her mother I hoped she'd have the decency to be respectful and civil towards me.

When I got out of the shower I asked Pippa if she could get Elliott home for the weekend.  We needed to sit down as a family to talk.  She thought that was a good idea, especially considering the fact Elliott's grades were subpar.  A weekend away from partying at college might do him good.

When Friday rolled around, Elliott caught the train back to Washington Heights.  We ordered in pizza and Joey was finally smiling for the first time that week.  She'd been in a fowl mood for days.  It was great to see her laughing and joking around.

After getting the younger kids put down for the night, Pippa made hot apple cider for everyone, because, Fall.  Who doesn't love hot apple cider in the Fall?  Joey and Elliott sat close to one another, holding hands.

"So guys," I sat down with my cup across from them with Pippa.  "We have a bit of a situation as you may have heard.  Joey's mom doesn't like the fact you're sexually active with each other."

"Which is ridiculous," my daughter piped in.

"Ridiculous or not," I continued.  "She's threatening to take Elliott to court for statutory rape.  It's not something to take lightly."

The smiles disappeared and the teenagers looked down at their mugs.  They both knew Joey's mom could be a bit of a pill, but the legal threat was serious.

"So," Pippa stepped in.  "We need to figure out a plan.  She basically wants Joey to break up with you and date someone in high school."

"All the boys at Hunter are so immature," Joey complained.  "There's no one I'm even remotely interested in."

"We think you're great together," Pippa said.  "But we also want you to keep your options open.  You don't have to commit to each other so early in life."

I saw Elliott squeeze my daughter's hand.

"We want to stay together," Elliott told us.  I nodded, admiring the kid's resolve.

"You're certainly welcome to keep dating," I told them.  "But what cannot happen is Joey staying overnight at the dorms."

"But-" Joey began to protest and I held up a hand.

"That, I agree with one hundred percent," I told them, looking between them both.  "Now, that's not to say you can't visit during the day and Elliott can't come back on the weekends.  That's the only way this is continuing."

Joey sighed, tucking her hands between her thighs.

"If you can do that," Pippa went on.  "We will tell Clarita that you're being abstinent from now on."

"You'll...lie for us?" Joey asked.

Pippa and I looked at each other.  "I don't like to think of it as lying," I told her.  "We're bending the truth to prevent a bigger problem.  No one wants to see Elliott charged with a crime."

"And what if she finds out?" Joey probed.

"I don't see why she would," I told my daughter.  "She's still in Chicago."

The two teenagers looked at each other, silently communicating their agreement with the play.

"Okay," Joey said.  "I think we can do that."

I studied her for a few long moments, making sure she knew I was serious about this.  "None of this sneaking around and lying," I reminded her.  "Because you know that doesn't fly with me.  Elliott, I need you to help keep her honest about this.  Can I count on you?"

"Yes, sir," he told me politely.  I nodded and took Pippa's hand.  Elliott could be taken at his word.  I trusted the kid completely.

"Alright," I slapped the table.  "Now that that's over with, how about a movie?"

Everyone agreed so I started popping popcorn as Joey pulled up our Netflix account.  After some heated but good-hearted sparring, we settled on a comedy.  Pippa curled up next to me and Joey rested her head on Elliott's lap.

The women didn't last the entire movie, falling asleep on us.  As the credits rolled I looked over at Elliott as I stroked Pippa's hair.

"We used to have family movie night when Joey was little," I mused to Elliott.  He looked over at me and gave a small smile.  "She almost always fell asleep before the end."

"Sounds about right," he chuckled, looking down at my daughter.  We were quiet for a few moments.

"Elliott, I don't want you to be worried about Joey's mom," I told him.  "She's mostly bark with no bite.  But I do need you to follow through with your promise."

He nodded.  "Absolutely.  And sorry about the other weekend."

"Thanks, but I think that was mostly Joey," I smirked, knowing my kid.  "Am I right?"

He grinned a little and nodded as he stroked her hair.

"I'm glad Joey's with you," I told Elliott.  "You're a good guy.  And whether it lasts for a few more months or forever I know she's always in good hands with you."

"Thanks, Lin," he told me, and I could tell he was touched by my comment.  I nodded and gently moved Pippa upright while I snuck out from under her.  I turned around and then scooped her up in my arms.

"I'm taking this one to bed," I told Elliott, and carried her down the hallway.  She was already in her sweats so I just tucked her under the covers.  When I returned I saw that Joey was no longer there either.  Had Elliott carried her to bed?  That had always been my job.

I sighed as I went to the cabinet for a glass for some water.  I filled it and then wandered down the hallway.  Elliott was closing Joey's bedroom door to go into his own.  I told him goodnight and wandered to my room.

Joey wasn't just my little girl anymore.  She was becoming a woman and I was becoming less and less important in her life.