“Oh hello, Kat!” I heard his voice say at th door. I cringed inwardly. I tried to return to my homework, but there was no way I could stop myself from over hearing the conversation a room away.

“Hi Mr. Figgly.” My best friend said cheerily. “Is Lil home?”

“She’s busy all evening. I’m sorry.” My dad said with, I’m sure even though I couldn’t see him, a bright smile plasterd to his face.

“Oh… Will you tell her I stopped by?” She asked, and I thought to myself How could I not know?

“Certainly. Bye.” My father said, closing the door on my salvation. I counted to five and then heard the pounding footsteps. I quickly involved myself in my homework.

“How many times have I told you, you are not aloud to have friends over on school nights!” He boomed.

“I didn’t ask her over!” I answered.

“Oh, sure. I bet you thought you could get out of some chores tonight, didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU!” His voice echoed throughout our small little house. And I shrank back as his hand raised in anger.

It would be a long night.