Abduction of Innocence1996

Helen Steves:
[in the kitchen, shortly after Robert has left for Seattle; Helen is working on her laptop computer]... 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... [sighs]... 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? [laughs] 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:
[laughs] Oh, Clare! It's not that bad!

Clare Steves:
How would you know? Did your parents raise you the same way?

Helen Steves:
[grins and shakes her head]... Touch?, 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!