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After school Monday night Sammy gets called into the den by mom and dad.  They close the door.

"Yesterday we had coffee with a man named Jack Donaldson."  Dad says.  "He's apparently the one who is teaching you self-defense.  He explained how you asked him to be a chaparone for you this summer."  Dad looks at mom.  "This band thing seems to be something you're working hard at."


Mom moves in to sit next to Sammy and take hold of her hands.  "We just want to make sure you're not setting yourself up for a fall.  There's still a long time before summer.  What if something happens between you and Elrod before then.  I'd hate for you to work so hard and be disappointed."

Mustn't snap.  This is just another test.  They're getting desperate because the first line of defenses isn't working against a dedicated assault.

Sammy reaches deep down inside her and pulls out a cheerful voice.  "What, you don't think that I think its a done deal yet, do you?  You still have to say yes.  It doesn't matter what I do if you decide to play the parent card and say no.  Its horribly unfair, but those are the rules of this game, and I knew that when I decided to play.  My part of this game is to remove as many barriers as I can, so that if you say no, or if it turns out I can't go, its for a really good reason and not something stupid.  I might be sad, but I won't argue with a really good reason.  Besides, its not like any of this hard work will be wasted.  My grades are good, it's kept me from running the streets for the past couple of weeks, and the music department teachers all love me."

What more do you people want?!

"What?"  Dad says, his voice a little shocked.  "You've been running the streets?"

Mom's laugh is short, but it got past her lips and out into the room.  "No, she means it's another thing that keeps her from getting into trouble."  She shakes her head and rests a hand on Sammy's shoulder.  "We're worried that if we say yes, and then things go wrong somehow with you and Elrod, you'll get really hurt."

"My idea was to postpone the desicion until right before summer break.  In case you guys broke up I wouldn't feel like I could have prevented it by just saying no."  Dad comes over to sit next to her.  "But then we realized that you're special, and there will be uncertainty enough in your life without us making the water all muddy."

"What your father is saying is that we're behind you, if you decide to spend the summer touring with the band."

"No kidding?  You really mean it?  You're not just saying it because its almost Christmas and you can't figure out what else I might want?"  Sammy hugs her mom, then her dad.   Mostly to her dad she says "I know you're worried about me getting hurt, and you're right.  But its too late to avoid that.  If something goes wrong, its going to hurt whether I had your permission to do this or not.  At least this way you gave me something to be really happy about for right now; that's a good thing, right?"

"Right"  dad says, holding tight for a minute before letting her go.  "So, this means we can lord this over you right, make you do extra chores and stuff?"  He says with a smile.

Sammy puts on airs.  "Ha!  Don't you know, I'm a star!  I'm supposed to have people to do all that for me so that I can spend my time on my Art."

"Well, as long as your Art includes taking out the garbage and dishes on Wednesday as usual, then I suppose we'll make due."  Dad give her another hug.  "We're planning on coming to at least one of the shows, hopfully more.  That's okay, isn't it?"

"Yes!  Why wouldn't it be?"  She shoots her dad a searching look.  "Is there something else you're worried about?  I'm not trying to pull anything over on you.  I figured the quickest way for you to tell me no would be for me to lie about something and get caught, so there haven't been any lies, at least none that I know are lies.  And I don't think El is lying either, so..."

"Honey."  he says, putting a hand on her shoulder, "I'm picking on you."

"Oh, OK.  Just checking.  In that case, yes, you can come, but make sure to space it out because I probably won't have time to do laundry so I'll need you and mom to take care of the dirty clothes when you get there."

They both laguh, "Just remember that when you're famous, that we came to do your laundry on your first tour.  Okay?"  Mom says smiling.

"OK".  After a little while, so she doesn't look like she's ditching them, she dashes up to her room and calls Elrod.

"They talked to Jack!  I can go!"

"That rocks.  Well, we should iron out the songs then in a week or so, keep our ears open for any really good ones that pop up on the charts between now and summer and start practicing. "

"Yep.  We're all set unless one of us breaks the others heart before then.  Lets try to avoid that?"

"Well, it's not in my planner, so I think I can manage that."

Samantha laughs.  "Hey, are you going to be here for Christmas or are you going away again?"

"I'm working on skipping the family trip this year, since I have a reason to hang around town.  Thought maybe a party would be in order."

"Yay!  Want to help with the Paranormal Present Plan then?  We're going to get a copy of the list of families being helped by the canned food drive, and take gifts to the ones that have kids.  Might as well use our powers for fun and good, right?"

"Sure.  My super power is lame, but I can write a check if that'll help with the costs."

"Checks are good.  So tell me more about this party?  Am I invited?"

"Oh, I'm not sure.  It might only be for the popular crowd.  No, then I wouldn't be invited I guess.  Hey, we could use it.  Make everyone that comes buy a toy right?  Once we know the break out for boys and girls, we have them pick a gender and age from the list, buy a toy.  Fix the amount or some kid will get a stuffed animal and another might get a new rolex.  These guys have no sense of value sometimes."

"That's a great idea!  And you say you haven't got a superpower."  She laughs into the phone. 

"Okay.  Let me know when you know the numbers for the kids and stuff.  Now I have to find the perfect place to have a Holiday bash.  I'll see you tomorrow?"

OOC:  a good place to end this.