“Yes, well, just don’t get ahead of yourself, young lady,” Papa said. “You don’t know all that much about men yet. I want you back before eleven.”

“Oh, Papa. What if the movie gets out later? We might want to stop for a soda or something. It’s been so nice out. Maybe we’ll walk. There’s no school the next day.”

“She’s old enough to stay out to midnight, Norton, non?”

I waited anxiously for his reply. I could see the memories flashing past him. How had Roxy gotten so out of hand? What mistakes had they made? Could he have done more in the beginning to prevent it? Was he making a mistake with me?

“I would call you if anything would prevent me from coming home on time, Papa. Always.”

He voiced that familiar grunt that was his reluctant approval. “I’ll tell you this,” he said quickly, however. “I don’t care how much importance you women put on your clothes. If he noticed you only because of your new clothes, he’s pretty shallow.”

“Let her make her own opinions and discoveries about the young men she meets, Norton. And besides, who are you to talk about noticing someone’s clothes? Your appearance is very important to you. Who else works so hard on his shoes and his clothes in your office?”

“That’s different.”

“Pourquoi?”

“Because someone in my business position has to appear well put together. Attention to detail gives my clients confidence in me.”

Mama just smiled at him.

“It’s true,” he emphasized.

Mama nodded. “Well, maybe the young man is just shy and finally got around to asking her,” she offered.

“Shy? That’ll be refreshing to see in a teenager these days,” he muttered.

I smiled to myself. I knew that Evan Styles could be called anything but shy. As soon as we finished dinner and I helped Mama clean up, I called Evan to tell him my parents had said okay.

“That’s great. We can make the eight-twenty show if you want to have a bite to eat before we go. I can come by at six-thirty. We’ll catch a taxi. I know a nice little restaurant near the movie theater. Okay?”

“Oui, but leave ten minutes to say hello to my parents.”

“Really? Should I wear a tie?”

His little note of sarcasm took me by surprise, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

“I’m kidding,” he said quickly. “But you know what? I will wear a tie. It will impress my parents, too.”

I thought I would wear my new dress. If I put on my light trench coat, Papa would not see how short the hem was. I would need a wrap for later anyway. The days were still unseasonably warm, but the night temperatures dropped quickly.

“Okay,” I said. “Je laverai mon visage.”

“What’s that mean??

?

“I’ll wash my face.”

He laughed. “I see being with you is going to be fun.”

“Peut-être.”

“No maybes about it. Impressed that I knew the word?”

“No comment.”

“Actually, Mr. Denning is constantly saying that in class whenever anyone asks him a question. He wants us to find our own answers. See you in school tomorrow,” he said.

Tags: V.C. Andrews The Forbidden Horror
Source: readsnovelonline.net