I'm dining with the Charles' when Margaret asks, "Daddy, did you find any potential secretaries when you interviewed today?"

Mr. Charles smiles big, "I did! Her name is Christine Edwards and she was very motivated in her interview."

Margaret makes a sour face at the mention of Shauna's sister and questions "Motivated how?" This confuses everyone at the table and leaves me wondering what Margaret's problem is.

"She just seems like she wants more for herself than being a receptionist at her parents' dry cleaners" Mr. Charles says, "So I'm going to give her that chance. It's the Christian thing to do."

"Good for you, Dear" replies Mrs. Charles.

"Mom! Have you seen Christine?" gasps Margaret.

"No, why?"

"She got one of those figures that men aren't subtle about staring at."

Arthur rolls his eyes at me. We are aware that men look at Margaret, we're not blind.

"In fact men even pay her for the privilege! Diana, who was in gym and home economics with me, told me Christine is a stripper! " Margaret announces. Now the shit will probably hit the fan!

Mr. Charles collects himself, "That may be just gossip, Dear and spreading such rumors is wrong."

"Diana's brother saw Christine perform!"

"We are not arguing in front of company."

"I just thought you should know so your firm's reputation isn't ruined!"

"This is something to think about, Ronald." says Mrs. Charles, "A girl cannot dance in a small and have it be a secret."

Margaret looks a bit smug. For some reason I feel a little bad about having Christine's 8x10 photo on the inside door of my closet.:

"Does this backstabbing have something to do with her sister Shauna liking Prince?" asks Arthur. 

"You want to make sure the sisters don't' get ahead because Shauna has eyes on your boyfriend?"

"Of course not! I was just thinking about Daddy's firm." Margaret replies a little too innocently. I laugh. Sure she was.

"My opinion is you should give Christine the job, Dad. You liked her and she can't dance forever." Arthur says

"You're sick!" Margaret exclaims.

"He's right. If I hadn't strived to better myself. You might not be here today, Young Lady or you'd definitely be in worse living conditions. I had help along the way and try to help others now. Let that be a lesson for you. "

"Prince, what do you think?" Margaret asks

"Christine would be relieved to be working just one job. I know she's divorced with a daughter and it can't be easy to care for a child and work both jobs." I say. Everyone agrees with me.

"Maybe she'll meet an eligible man through the firm." Mr. Charles replies, "I didn't realize she was single."

"That would be romantic" Mrs. Charles smiles. "You kids may be excused"

Margaret starts griping about Christine being vulgar when we're in the den.

"Hush, " I insist. "I want to say what I really think. because I didn't want to risk fighting in front of everyone. As far as I'm concerned, Christine deserves some credit. She applied for a job with a man who, I'm sorry, doesn't have a reputation as a sweetheart, so she could make a better life for herself and her daughter. That's admirable. "

"Don't tell ME to 'hush' again!" Margaret scolds.

"Sorry, Honey. " I start kissing her because once I start, Margaret usually can't resist me.

"So you're on Daddy's side?"

"Uh...weird, but I guess I am. You ever actually met Christine?"

"No. I don't need to. Strippers are selfish, greedy and have no morals"

"How many strippers do you know?" I laugh.

Margaret glares at me.

"Christine is a very nice person. She is always helpful when I've been to the dry cleaner to pick up something for Mrs. Anderson." I point out. "It'll be fine. "

Honestly one of Margaret's few flaws is occasionally forgetting that not everyone lives in an ivory tower like she does. If that's how you grow up though, it's probably a tough lesson to learn.

No response from Margaret. Just holding her tongue for a bit because either she knows she's wrong or doesn't like where the conversation is headed.

Finally Margaret speaks, "I put a new needle on the turntable." 

Her smile is flirty, like she wants to put on some soft music.

An LP is chosen. We snuggle on the sofa. My nose is treated to the scent of Halston perfume. I tickle her. Margaret giggles like the teenage girl she is. She tickles me back and a bit aggressively-I'm into it, very into it.

Mr. Charles passes by the open den, like he usually does. Wish he'd have Mrs. Charles do the spying. She's more lenient. "That looks painful. Stop torturing Prince." Mr. Charles lectures.

I chuckle and reply, "It's fine. I'm tough enough to handle it. "

"Girls don't attack their boyfriends" Mr. Charles sighs

Well, I know a few who would but don't mention it.

"Daddy, when you were dating did you and dates just on opposite ends of the sofa and talk about the weather?" Margaret asks.

"No, Dear. But we were more wholesome than you kids today, which is such a pity." Mr. Charles sighs as he leaves. Then he turns around, sticks his head in the room and yells "YOU KIDS BEHAVE!"

"Ronald! Leave them alone! " Mrs. Charles yells back.

When I bend over to look at the other LPs , I hear Margaret whistle at me. Checking out my ass, huh?

"Want to dance, You Hussy? "I ask.

"Yes!" she grins and we dance until I have to go home.