Penelope's Dad.

“Look, we had all this last week. I thought I’d made it clear then. I don’t want you getting involved in all that nonsense.”
“Oh go on mom. Be a sport.”
“No. Now don’t ask again.”
“But Penelope’s going.”
“I don’t care what Penelope is doing. She’s going to the dentist tomorrow. Do you want to go there too ?”
“No need. I went last week.”
“You know what I mean. The answer is no.”
“Alright, I’ll ask dad then.”
“Don’t be silly. You know very well what he thinks about it.”
“But he went when he was my age.”
“And that’s exactly why he doesn’t want you to go.”
“Why not ?”
“Because he thought it was a pointless waste of time.”
“But I might like it, and all the other kids are going.”
“You’re not other kids.”
“I am to other parents.”
“Don’t get too clever missy.
“You could always spend the weekend in your room.”
That’s typical. I’m not even allowed an opinion.”
“The answer is no and that’s final. Why can’t you join a youth club like ordinary kids.”
“Oh great. Table tennis and pool. Boring.” Please mom. Go on.”
“No. I just don’t like the idea of you going there.”
“It’s because it’s on a Sunday isn’t it.”
“It’s because it’s more bother than it’s worth. Every time we hear about it, it seems to be causing trouble of one sort or another.”
“But not this one. And anyway, it’s not their fault.”
“Then who’s fault is it ?”
“That’s just a minority. You said yourself, there’s a bad apple in every barrel.”
“Well there’s an awful lot of bad apples in that barrel, I can tell you.”
“Penelope says everyone is lovely and they have a great time.”
“Doing what ? Messing around with silly ideas that should have been given up years ago.”
“It’s not like that any more. You should try it.”
“No thank you. When I want a load of nonsense I’ll go and phone your grandmother. I just don’t want you involved in it.”
“But I already am.”
“What ? What do you mean you already are ?”
“We do it at school, remember. I even got a certificate last year because I was so good. You don’t stop me going to school do you.”
“You do it at school because you have to. And believe me, if I had my way, you wouldn’t. It’s an old relic, like sending children up chimneys. Maybe you’d like to do that too ?”
“I might aswell. It’s the only way I’ll ever escape from this house. It’s like being in prison.”
“Look. Speak to your dad when he gets home. Maybe he’ll go with you and meet them first.”
“What ! A chaperone ? Eugh. Gross.
“Penelope’s dad goes with her.”
”Of course he does mom. He’s the vicar. Honestly, just my luck to have atheists for parents. All I want to do is go to church.”
End.