The first time Clyde told his parents about Princess, they were actually happy to hear about it. It was their son’s first crush, and the fact that he was doing girly things with her proved to them that their boy knew how to be gentlemanly.
“Eight years old and my boy is already a lady’s man.” His dad would go around bragging to whoever would listen.
As the years went by, though, and Clyde was still playing the same stupid games with the girl, they became less proud and more concerned. Soon Clyde quit mentioning the Princess to them at all, and things got better for a bit—until they called him into the den one night. Clyde had a feeling what it would be about before they even said a word, and he was correct.
“Dear,” his mother began sweetly enough, “the Hungry Pirate Grocery Store called today and told us you got kicked out for trashing the place. You are eleven now, almost twelve. This behavior has to stop.”
“Quit pussyfooting around it and tell the boy,” his father snapped.
“We trashed nothing. We just lost control of the cart when I slipped, and it smashed into the emergency exit door.”
“Mr. Perkins said you damaged the cart, and the alarm went off, and several people complained.”
“Tell the boy, or I’m going to tell him with a hand to the bottom!”
“Honey, please!” Clyde’s mom snapped, and his father fell silent just like he always did.
“Mom?” Clyde said, concern rising in his voice. She had never talked to him in this serious manner before.
“Mr. Perkins said you were with that girl, and she was egging you on. He said he knows you are a good kid, but you’re hanging around with the wrong girl. Helping her is one thing, but being… ‘partners’ with her is something else.” His mom sighed before she said the word partners, as if it might cause a curse.
“I’m not her boyfriend if that’s what you’re worried about. I asked, and she said no, so you can relax. We’re just best friends.”
His mother did seem to relax, and so did his father, who let out an, “Oh, thank the Lord!”
“Look, honey, we’ve always been very lenient with you on almost everything, but this girl is trouble and apparently has issues. I’m afraid we are going to have to forbid you from seeing her outside of school, and if we catch you, we will ground you until the end of the year. Your dad doesn’t work right now, so he will pick you up and take you home if necessary.”
“What?! You don’t even know her. She is sweet and beautiful, and you are being as—”
His mother smacked him across the face.
He looked up at her, hurt.
“Your grounding starts now,” she said.
Clyde went to his room and slammed the door.
“I couldn’t have handled it better myself,” said the father.
“Shut up!” said the mother, and he did.