I felt a shaft of cold shoot down my spine. I looked nervously from Jerry and back to Dad. “Dad! This is such a surprise.”

Dad scowled at me. “I’ll bet it is. Why in hell is my son dressed in such a ridiculous outfit?”

Jerry looked unbelievingly over at me. “Son?” What blood I had left ran cold. Oh God, Jerry’s going to hate me.

I tried to laugh and grinned at Dad. I said, “This isn’t what it looks like!”

Joanie stepped out of her office and walked up to the counter. She looked Dad up and down. “Sir, is there a problem with one of my staff?”

Annoyed at having his fury interrupted, Dad turned on Joanie. “Yes! My son looks ridiculous in that outfit and I still haven’t gotten an answer!”

Joanie frowned at Dad. “Ridiculous?! Sir, everyone who works the counter at my restaurant must wear the required uniform. Not only does Scott look terrific in the uniform, traffic to the restaurant has doubled since hiring her… er, him.” Does it count that a lot of that traffic are boys asking for dates?

Dad pounded the counter top. “I don’t give a shit about that!”

Mom stepped nervously up to the counter. She just stared at me. “Scott. What’s happened to you?”

“Mom…”

Yelling, Dad shouted, “This ends right now!”

I shouted back, “Dad! Let me explain!”

Dad frowned deeply at me. “Do you really think you can explain why my son, who I sent off to college to become a man is standing in front of me wearing a pink dress, pink lipstick and pink bear ears of all things? I don’t think you can. Take that shit off, Scott. You look ridiculous. We’re going home. You can formally withdraw from college later. I’m not spending one more dime on this nonsense.”

“Dad! Please! Be reasonable. I don’t want to leave college. I’ve kept my grades up. I want to finish my degree!”

Dad’s face reddened. “Scott! Go wash your face and put on some pants. You blew your college chance by not following my demands to quit this girl nonsense. Change and get in the car. We’re leaving.”

Jerry decided to join into the fray and said, “Sir. Don’t you think you’re being unfair to Scotti? I know she’s worked very hard.”

Dad scowled deeply towards Jerry. “Who the fuck are you?”

Jerry swallowed audibly. He said, “I’m her boyfriend.” That was sweet of him to say, but it just fanned the flames of Dad’s anger.

I didn’t think Dad’s face could redden further. “My God, Scott. You’ve fooled this poor idiot to think you’re a girl. I didn’t think your perversions could sink so low. Now change so we can leave.”

Having trouble breathing as my own anger built. I growled, “I have nothing to change into. I’d have to go back to my dorm.”

Dad shook his head. “Well, you better start walking. No son of mine is going to ride in my car looking like that.”

“It’s a mile back to my dorm!” I shouted.

Amy said quietly, “I’ll take you, Scotti.”

I tried to smile at Amy. I said, “Thanks. But you can’t leave Joanie without anyone at the cash register. I guess I’ll walk.”

Jerry touched my arm. “I’ll take you, babe. That’s a long walk.”

Dad shook his head. “No. My son is not getting into a car with this… this boyfriend.”

Joanie said, “Go ahead Amy and help Scotti. I’ll be okay. And Scotti. You always have a job here.”

I gave Joanie a weak smile. “Thanks. I doubt I’ll be back though.”

Amy stepped out from behind the counter. “Okay, girl. Let’s go. I can’t be in the same room as this bastard anyway.”

Dad shook his head at Amy. He turned to Joanie and asked, “Can I get a cup of coffee?”

Joanie flashed Dad a hateful look. “No. You can’t. I suggest you leave the building and wait outside.” She turned her back to him and walked back into her office.

As I exited from behind the counter, Jerry took my arm and turned me to face him. He pulled me to him and kissed me. “Our date’s still on, right?”

I ran my hand through his hair and sadly said, “I don’t think so, Jerry. Thanks, though.” Dad’s eyes got wide and I thought he was going to pass out.

I followed Amy out to her car. I had held my tears until I stepped into her car. I wasn’t going to give Dad the satisfaction of my tears.

Once inside her car, Amy put her arms around my neck and pulled me into a bear hug. “Oh Scotti! I feel awful. This is all my fault. None of this would be happening if I’d never suggested you work at Pink Bear!”

Tears started to flow as I said, “No, it’s not your fault. I knew I was risking getting caught. Dad always seems to find out.”

Amy surprised me with a kiss. “Don’t give up yet. We’ll try to figure something out.”

We hugged each other and cried for a couple of minutes. I said, “We should probably go before Dad comes over here and starts yelling again.”

As she started her car, Amy said, “How did you turn out so nice with a dad like that?”

I sighed. “Believe it or not, he wasn’t always such an asshat. He wanted to send me to a military school of all things to straighten me out. I threatened to run away and he changed his mind and just sent me to college. He really wants his 2.8 grandchildren.”

Amy shook her head as she drove out onto the street to head for my dorm. “He’s wound up so tight, he’s going to explode. Maybe you should run away.”

I bit my lip. “If I can survive that long, as soon as I turn twenty-one, I’m leaving. Not sure where to, but I just can’t stay much longer than that.”

When we arrived at my dorm, I went storming into the building, slapping the elevator button. Amy had to run to catch up.

“I know you’re mad, girl, but slow down!” exclaimed Amy as the elevator door slid closed behind her.

I slammed the wall of the elevator. I started to cry again. “Shit! I just don’t know what to do!”

Amy held my hand. “We’ll figure something out.”

I went storming past Larry who was eating cold pizza and studying in the common area. I slammed open my room’s door and tossed myself onto my bed and began bawling like a… like a girl.

Amy sat on my bed and started rubbing my back. “Don’t give up, yet Scotti.”

Larry stuck his head in the door. “What’s going on? Anything I can do?”

Amy frowned and said, “Scotti’s father showed up at the Pink Bear. He was not happy to see how she was dressed.”

Larry smirked. “I’m not crazy about that uniform myself.”

Amy scowled at Larry. “Look. If you’re just going to be a jack-ass, you can leave.”

Larry held up his hands defensively. “I’m sorry. Seriously, what’s up with Scotti?”

While I continued to cry and sniffle, Amy said, “It’s her dad. He came into the Pink Bear and saw her.”

Larry raised his eyebrows. “Well crap. I’m sure that didn’t go over well. Is that why she’s so upset?”

I rolled over and looked at Larry. “If you must know, Larry. I’m done here. Dad is cutting off my money and wants me to withdraw from college and go home with him. He’s waiting at the Pink Bear for my return. I have to change clothes because he can’t tolerate me looking like this.”

Larry shook his head. “Oh wow, girl. That’s terrible. You’re not leaving today though, are you?”

I sat up on my bed and frowned. “Yes. As soon as I change into something more manly and Amy drives me back.”

Larry looked thoughtful for a few moments. “Don’t do anything just yet. I have an idea.”

To be continued…