Howard looked across the table at his wife who was giving him significant glances. He signed internally before saying to his daughter, "So, I uh, guess you didn't feel like taking the school bus today after all."

Aubrey looked up, "you saw that, huh."

"Yep. And your school called reporting that you were late for class because you were kissing a boy in the parking lot."

"Oh."

Julie jumps in, "may we assume this is the same boy you mentioned this morning? It seems like you fixed things after all."

Aubrey smiled slightly, "yeah, he surprised me."

"Tell us about him" Howard requests, "for example, his name."

"His name is Dave. I met him on Friday in an alley. He walked me home." She paused for a second, "He uh, called. Here, I mean, asked me to the movies on Saturday. As a friend! Because, you know, I was kinda with Ronny."

"Yeah, honey," Julie askes, "what happened to Ronny? All I know is that you called it off."

Aubrey looks down and plays with the corn on her plate for a moment before looking up. "Ronny got into a fight with Dave on Saturday after the movies. We were invited to a girl's house and Ronny was drinking and was being obnoxious. Dave offered to drive me home instead and Ronnie pushed him down. Dave hit his head on the table." She looks away, "I think Ronny was partly jealous because he knew that I liked Dave so he picked a fight with him. We left after that."

"Well, to be honest honey, Ronny was a bit of an ass. I don't think it the slightest bit unusual to like someone else more."

"Howard!" Julie chastises. "Aubrey, you are not responsible for any of Ronny's actions. That being said, you are way out of Ronny's league."

Aubrey smiles at the two of them, "I must admit, he wasn't my favourite person either."

"So is that where you were Sunday, with Dave?"

"Yeah, he invited me to the park with his sister." She smiles absently for a second, "He's worried because he's going away to college in the fall and he doesn't want his sister to worry that he won't come back."

"How old is his sister?"

"She's five. She wants to ride on a roller coaster. Dave says that he's going to take her for her birthday next month."

Howard interjects with a question, "Where is he going?"

"New York. He says he'll be back all the time though. If only for his sister."

Julie smiles at her daughter, "he sounds like a nice boy. We can't wait to meet him."

"Meet him?! Mom, no" Aubrey objects, "I just met him! Can't we wait a week or two first? You don't really want to sit him down for intimidation talks do you?"

"Honestly," Howard replies, "Yes. I've been planning this speech since you were three."

"Oh, dear"