Abduction of Innocence

Helen Steves: ... So did you two patch things up? Clare Steves: I gave in and did as he said, if that's what you mean. Helen Steves: ...Clare, how do I reset the paragraphs on this thing? Clare Steves: You have to click "format." Helen Steves: I knew that. Clare Steves: Mom, my friends are throwing me a belated birthday party tonight... Helen Steves: Clare! Clare Steves: Laura promised, behind my back, that I would come. I can't just not show up, or none of them will ever speak to me again. Helen Steves: No, no - you know how I feel about *deceiving* your father like this. Clare Steves: It's better than all-out defiance, isn't it? I tried passive resistance and that didn't work, so... Can't you talk to him? Helen Steves: Honey, I don't believe that would do any good. You know how he is. I mean, once he makes up his mind about something... Helen Steves: ... Look, I know you think he's too strict, but... Clare Steves: You're calling him *strict?* That's like calling the K2 a molehill! All the other kids in my class are being what, and who, they really are... you know, normal teenagers. He makes me feel as if I froze in time at age 10, without even telling me when or where I've gone wrong. Helen Steves: And sometimes you *behave* like you're 10 years old. Clare Steves: Well, I picked the wrong shoulder to cry on, didn't I? Clare Steves: He let me have more fun when I *was* 10 than he lets me have now. I'm the only girl at my school who doesn't go to dances or have dates - the Odd Lady Out, as it were. Helen Steves: There are more important things than dates and dances. It means a lot to your father that you get into a good college. Clare Steves: Other girls my age get into fine colleges. They aren't nearly as wealthy, and they don't live like nuns in the meantime. Helen Steves: Oh, Clare! It's not that bad! Clare Steves: How would you know? Did your parents raise you the same way? Helen Steves: ... Touché, Clare. Go on, have fun at the party. Clare Steves: Seriously? Thanks a lot, Mom! Helen Steves: Just see to it that you're home by 11 sharp. And pray to High Heaven your father doesn't get back before you do!