SLATTERY'S DAUGTHERS

BBQ DANCE

Tom and Julie were both riding along the fence with their horses until they reached the hole in the fence. Julie brought her horse to a halt. "Here it is."

Tom got off his horse and walked up to the fence to check it out. "The wires were cut."

"Again?"

"Again. That son of a bitch Murphy is going to deal with me. I'm sick of his bullshit." Tom replied upset.

"Dad," Julie looked at her father somewhat shocked. "Language."

"Sorry honey, I shouldn't swear in front of you like that."

"I'm just making sure you're setting a good example dad."

"Thanks my baby girl. I appreciate that." Tom got back on his horse and continued riding along the fence with his daughter to make sure there weren't any more gaps where his cattle could get through. "I'll ask Lucas to help me herd in the cattle tomorrow and fix this darn fence. And then I'm going to have a talk with Murphy."

"Can I come with?" Julie looked at her father and gave a smile.

Tom's heart immediately melted. "How can I say no if you look at me like that?"

"Thank you daddy, you're a star."

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Julie was sitting in the living room with her father and her mother watching TV when Claire came down the stairs wearing a low cut pair of bootleg jeans and a button up top tied at the front, baring her stomach. She was just about to reach the front door when her father cleared his throat. "Where do you think you're going?"

Claire turned to look at her father. "To Danny's birthday party. You said it was okay if I went."

Tom scrutinized her. "Not dressed like that, you don't."

Claire shrugged and looked at her father slightly taken aback. "Really?"

"Yes, really, now go and put on something else."

"If you say so." She rolled her eyes and headed back upstairs.

Joanne looked at her husband who kept his gaze on the stairs. "Is it just me or do I sense a hint of rebellion there?"

Tom dropped his gaze and then looked at his wife. "It's not just you."

"She has been in a bad mood this morning too when she left for town."

"She better drop her attitude or else." Tom then looked at Julie who sat in the armchair reading a magazine and minding her own business. "And that goes for you too young lady."

Julie looked at her father confused. He looked at her sternly. "What? What did I do?"

"Nothing. I'm just saying. Neither of you are too old for a hiding or for getting grounded."

Just then Claire came walking down the stairs and stopped at the bottom landing. Dressed in a snug fitting t-shirt with a cowgirl print and a raised pair of bootleg jeans she turned to look at her father. "Happy now?"

"It looks better. You could have kept the top on, but the jeans look better."

"Ugh, whatever." Claire turned around and left slamming the front door in front of her on her way out.

"See what I'm talking about?" Tom asked his wife.

"Maybe it's just hormones."

"And that's exactly what I'm worried about. Boys and hormones," Tom replied concerned.