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Dad sighed “I don’t know about those girls, either What happened to Pearl Utz? You girls used to be so close, playing with your Barbies for hours at a time” A wistful expression crossed his face, and I kneere straying dangerously close to reminiscent territory “Feels like that was just yesterday, and nowWhy don’t you give Pearl a call? She hasn’t been around lately”

I rolled my eyes, exasperated “That’s because she o, ere twelve Remember?”

“That’s right, I ree wall “You were devastated You cried for weeks”

“Don’t try to change the subject, Daddy,” I warned hi about my tour”

“That’s right” Dad shoved his hands deep in the pockets of his overalls, studyinghim appear much older than his forty-four years “You have a beautiful voice, Eleanor,” he said slowly “You know I’ve always thought so But I don’t understand thisWhy do you need to go? Why can’t you just stay and sing in the church choir, like you always have? Why can’t that be enough?”

My heart cracked a little Overprotective as he was, I lovedhim “It’s justnot,” I said “I need more I need to prove that I can handle it, that I’m capable of more than just the local church choir”

Pain crossed my dad’s face, but he masked it quickly “I still don’t know” he said

I played my final trump card “I’ve already promised the band, Daddy,” I said “I ht me to honor my commitments”

Dad’s face twisted in wry amusement He placed his hand over his heart in hter would use ainst me,” he said, and I smiled despite myself He sobered quickly “I can see how serious you are about this,” he said “And you’re right; you’re a grooman now, and I can’t tell you what to do I don’t like it, and I wish you would change yourto try to stop you”

My heart swelled “Thank you, Daddy,” I cried, launching rease that transferred from his skin to my T-shirt It was only an old shirt, anyway

He hugged me back a little aardly, never one for physical shows of affection “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?” he asked

“Of course, Daddy,” I said “I’m always careful”

“I know you are, Eleanor,” he said “But there are people out there—e of you” He shifted uncomfortably, and I realized toa deep shade of red Was ? “I just want you to be careful with your—with your purity It’s precious Don’t give it away to just anyone”

I rolledthat I hadn’t heard a million times before in Sunday school “Don’t worry about that, Daddy,” I said confidently “I pro with anyone, anyway I was saving e, but for true love The kind of loveseen what love could be, I knew that I could never settle for anything less

My father’s aarnings could do nothing to dull ! Twenty years old, and I was finally, finally going to have a real adventure I practically skipped back to the house to text the band and start packing

I opened my laptop to play soht before filled the screen: Sexy blonde’s first group sex I blushed furiously and quickly exited out of the screen Hey, I in, but I was still curious When it happened, I wanted to be prepared I tolda little

I settled on a playlist and hit play, and the sound of s, erupted from my laptop’s tinny speakers I danced a little as I packed, losingtones of Grant Deacon, the band’s lead singer Speaking of fantasiesI smiled to myself I had watched countless videos of intervieith the band, and I still found it impossible to pick a favorite of all the members; they were all hot in their oay Lately, theresemblance to each member of the band