[ WP ] A teenage girl is embarrassed when her father and boyfriend get along .

`` Dad please listen!'' Tina begged me, tugging on my shirt. I sighed and finally gave into her demands. 
 
 `` Fine, you have two minutes to try and convince me. But the last time I let a boy pick you up for a date, the druggy idiot almost got you killed. And the time before that you got home barely before the sun came up. You've got more tally marks in the loss category than the win for guys hun.'' 
 
 `` Dad I just need you to trust me. Jack is different than the others, I swear. He is a captain on the soccer and baseball teams, he delivers flowers in his downtime, and he is already planning on going to school to be an engineer. He's a really good guy daddy.'' 
 
 `` Sweetie I do trust you, I just do n't trust them'' I explained to her, as calmly as possible. `` I was a teenage boy once and was friends with the best guys and the worst guys and they all share one thing in common: Brains are second, Dicks are first''. 
 
 `` DAD!'' Tina exclaimed, her cheeks turning to roses. `` You know that I have n't... that I'm still a...'' Tina averted her eyes from mine as she struggled to get out the words that I already knew. 
 
 `` A virgin? I know sweetheart.'' At least I sure as hell hope so, I thought to myself. `` But even if you tell guys that, they will want to do whatever they can to change that. That includes lying and putting on a face to look like friggin' Liam Hemsworth...'' 
 
 `` Who is...'' Tina started to interject, to which I shook my head and chuckled. 
 
 `` No one, just an old actor who teenage girls used to melt for. The point is, guys can be shitheads and I do n't want one of them sinking their teeth into my little girl.'' 
 
 A look of dejection crept onto Tina's face and I could see the droplets of water spring up in the corner's of her bright green eyes. She quickly blinked them away and turned to go back upstairs. `` Fine dad. I just wish you would accept that I'm 16 now and in a couple years I wont be your little girl anymore.'' 
 
 `` Wait Tina. Come back here.'' God damnit....I hope I do n't regret this. Joe, you softy you. 
 
 `` What?'' Tina asked, with tinge of hope in her voice. She stared at me with eyes no longer brimming with tears but instead with expectation and a hint of excitement. 
 
 `` You can go out with this boy, Jack. On one condition: He has to come here for dinner first so I can meet him. If I approve, you can go out with him.'' 
 
 Tina squeeled in joy and jumped at me, wrapping her arms around the back of my neck and nearly knocked me off my feet. `` THANK YOU DADDY!'' 
 
 `` Okay okay get off me you little monster'' I manged to get out over the sounds of her joyous laughter and sounds of excitement. I took her out of the clouds and set her feet back on the earth. `` Its what your mother would want. I can hear her now'Joe you ca n't protect her forever. Eventually you wo n't be around and she will have to fend for herself. Oh and cut your hair, you are starting to look like a savage.'' 
 
 Tina giggled and hugged me, `` Thanks dad. I promise I have a good feeling about Jack or I would n't have even brought it up. Mom would approve of him I think, so I hope you do too.'' 
 
 `` I hope so to, for your sake young lady. Tell him to come over tonight if he can. I'm sure he'll enjoy my Taco Tuesday.'' 
 
 **Later that Evening** 
 
 I can not believe what this boy just said. I could feel the juices of my taco dripping onto my pants, but I did n't care. All I was focused on was trying to process what this new boy that my daughter brought home just said to me. And then I felt it, a deep rumbling inside of me, waiting to break free. I could feel the heat rising on my face and the rumble moving up my throat. I'm sorry Tina, I thought to myself, I hope you can forgive me. 
 
 A laughter erupted from me that has been foreign to me since Jodie died 6 years ago. A deep laughter that shook my entire body. My eyes teared up, I could hardly breathe, and I think I dropped my taco on the floor. 
 
 `` Jack where the HELL did you hear that joke? It seems like it should be way over a 17 year old's head.'' 
 
 `` My dad told it to me, and his dad told it to him. I guess it's sort of a family thing'' the boy said through a sly smirk. 
 
 `` Well god damn if that is n't one of the best jokes I've ever heard. Right Tina?'' 
 
 Tina shot me a look so sharp that I'm surprised did n't physically hurt me. `` I honestly do n't get why it's so funny...'' 
 
 `` You know, cause the doctor... hes a monkey. And monkeys cant write... they can't..oh god'' I could n't speak through my reemerging laughter. 
 
 `` Ugh whatever.'' Tina dismissively said, turning her attention back to poking her taco salad with a fork. 
 
 `` Jack, you're a good kid.'' I began as I wiped the joke's aftermath off of my lips. `` You know, I was captain of my baseball team in highschool and I played a bit in college. You wan na come check out my old gear? Maybe there'll be something you can use.'' 
 
 `` Dad I really think Jack has got to get going. It's getting late and he...'' Tina started, trying to put an end to the evening. 
 
 `` No it's alright!'' Joe interjected quickly. `` My parents know that I'm over here so they will be fine if I'm a little late. I'll just say that I was hanging out with Mr. Staybeck, they'll be thrilled.'' Joe gave Tina a little reassuring nod and a smile, which she just scoffed at and looked away. 
 
 `` Alrighty! I still keep all my old baseball stuff in my den. This way son.'' 
 
 **Even Later That Evening** 
 
 `` Alright Tina you win. I approve of the boy... err Jack. You can go out with him, but there will still be some rules.'' I said as I stacked the slightly crusted dinner plates. 
 
 `` You know what dad? I think I was wrong. I do n't think he's right for me.'' Tina nonchalantly said as she moved the leftovers to their new tupperware homes. `` I think I'll tell him I ca n't go out with him.'' 
 
 `` What?! Tina, you have to go out with that boy. He is a captain on the soccer and baseball teams, he delivers flowers in his downtime, and he is already planning on going to school to be an engineer! He is set up for success! Plus..that damn joke was amazing'' I could feel the rumblings in my stomach again, probably a combination of a new bout of laughter and tacos making their way through my body, so I left it at that. What the hell is Tina on about though? This was her dream boy only a few hours ago! 
 
 `` No I do n't think so dad, I bet he just wants to get in my pants and then poof hes gone! I think I'll let him down easy. Thanks for giving him a shot though, its nice to see that you do trust me.'' 
 
 `` Okay sweetie, if that's what you want.'' I said, feeling the disappointment stain my voice. 
 
 `` It is. Oh and dad, can I ask for a favor?'' Tina asked. 
 
 `` Of course hun! Anything.'' I said over my shoulder, balancing a teetering tower of plates. 
 
 `` Please, for the love of god, never make me bring a boy home for dinner with you again. At least not at first.'' Tina said with a stern, almost annoyed, tone. 
 
 `` We'll see. Now go finish up your homework and get to bed.'' I was n't that bad was I? I just got to know the kid, I thought she was excited about that. Oh well, he seemed like he had fun. Hopefully the next guy is just as good.
