I don't see normally Margaret on Sundays in her family Sundays are for Church, chores, and finishing your homework. This routine is almost never broken. So I look forward to seeing her in school on Mondays.

At school she always gives me a quick kiss on the cheek while certain teachers try not to stare. I think they are surprised that we are together.

Luckily, today Margaret's dad is out of town with a court case. I have permission to come over and study after school. Margaret and I are having a snack in the kitchen when we hear her mom yell,"Margaret! I'm home! Picked up your prescription!" She blushes hard.

"Mom! Did you forget Prince was coming over?" she asks

"I'm afraid I did and I'm sorry. Take these and hide them from your father"Mrs Charles orders.When Margaret and I are alone again,I ask"What was that about?"

Margaret won't look at me "Mom thinks I'm so serious about you that we might have a physical relationship" she tells me. "So she took me to get The Pill and I'm so embarrassed because I don't want to have sex until I'm a bit older and don't have to sneak around to avoid Daddy. Ever since I was aware of sex,Daddy told me I was supposed to wait until marriage so if I was sleeping with someone before then I'd be severely punished."

To be honest, I'm afraid of how Margaret might be punished. "I am serious about you, Margaret. But I don't want to sleep with you until you're ready." I reply as I hold her.

"Have you ever had sex before?"

"Yes."

"Did you like it?'

"Yes."

"Hope you don't mind waiting for me"

"I don't mind at all"

Mrs. Charles extends a dinner invitation, which I accept because Mr. Charles isn't around. I think highly of Mrs. Charles. She's nice and doesn't have the same feeling about me her husband does. Wonder why she settled for him? At dinner Margaret asks,"Would Daddy mind if I went to college out of state?"

"Well, I don't know. We haven't discussed that. How far out of state were you thinking?" Mrs. Charles asks."New York." She winks at me and squeezes my hand under the table. Brilliant! Margaret has figured out a potential way for us to be together and have her father, cover all of her expenses! I knew I was dating the smartest girl in school!

"That's very far away. Your dad won't allow it, I can tell you that right now", Mrs. Charles answers.

Damn, I hear about feminism regularly these days and it's as though it doesn't exist around here. Why should he have final say in where she goes to school? Mr. Charles gets to rule the roost because he has a dick. "Mrs. Charles, how would you feel about Margaret going to school in New York?" I ask.

"Personally, I'd rather she go to school around here for a year or two then transfer out to New York, if she still wants." Mrs. Charles replies.

"That some sense, I guess.. Why does Daddy have to be unreasonable? What difference does it make if I study here or in New York?" Margaret asks.

"He wants you to be happy and have good life. That's what he wants for his whole family because he loves us."

Loving is not the first word that comes to mind when I think of Mr. Charles. Strict, overbearing, stern. Those all suit him better. Come to think of it, I've never seen evidence that he actually loves or appreciates Margaret and her mom. Margaret never mentions anything nice he's ever done for her. But she said that he's "Training her to be the perfect housewife" and gets mad at her when her chores aren't done impeccably. That's not love. Heaven knows how he treats his wife behind closed doors.

"Margaret, I assure you we can talk about this later. We don't want to have an unpleasant argument in front of our guest." Mrs. Charles tells her.

"Yes, Mother. Margaret replies.

I'm shown to the door later. Margaret gives me a long hug and kiss. Mrs. Charles glances at us and smiles. We have her total support as a couple.