"Tina is my girlfriend and I thought it was time for her to meet you," Bette said and she pulled my chair out and I sat, as her father did for her mother. They sat and her father huffed at the statement.

"Oh really? That’s wonderful," her mother said and turned to me, "tell us about yourself."

I proceeded to tell them my life’s story. I told them about my family, and my friends. I told them about Tim, and her mother was sypathetic and her father’s demeanor seemed to soften. We placed our orders and I told them about my schooling and that I was in school for film. Dr. Porter talked about her college days and how much she enjoyed them. She wasn’t a doctor of medicine, she had a doctorate in teching and taught Art History at Berkeley. Her father was a successful California district attorney and had graduated from Harvard.

Her father had been silent throughout the lunch and only made comments here and there or huffed at a statement. I know that her mother was impressed with me, and she did like me, but her father was a different story.

"Miss. Kennard, how long do you have on your degree," her father asked, he didn’t call my by my name which was fine.

"I actually just started, so I have about four years, then I want to get my master’s."

"Just started," he asked looking from me to Bette, "how old are you exactly?"

"Daddy."

"Elizabeth please," he said and looked at me again, "Miss. Kennard?"

I looked from Dr. Porter who gave me a sympathetic nod and smile to Bette who just sighed. I knew I had to answer, but I was sure he’d be in an uproar over my age.

"Eighteen."

"Jesus Elizabeth, she’s eighteen? What is God’s name is wrong with you? She has her whole life ahead of her and you’ve turned her into a harlot."

"Daddy," she said, the look of hurt was evident.

"Melvin Francis Porter, you shut your mouth," her mother said sternly.

"Daddy, don’t, I don’t care how old she is, I’m in love with her," Bette said, "she loves me too and nothing will change that."

"Even if Miss. Kennard is in love with you as you say, what makes you so sure that she’s with you for that reason. We’re wealthy, she will probably go after your money once she comes to her senses and leads a normal straight life."