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Penny

“Dad, really?” I ask, arching my eyebrows “I’m a little old for this, don’t you think?”

Harold merely shakes his head seriously

“This will be good for you Penny You’re a senior in high school, and soon you’ll be heading off into the big world I want you go to get a sense of what people do during office jobs before you throw your lot in with SexyFlow Salon”

I grimaced a little

“But I love SexyFlow, Dad I know the naht for our clientele Sexy flowabout you is “in the flow” that day: fro blowouts to different girls It changes their lives and puts theood mood”

Haroldhis thuesture eut protrudes heavily over his belt But I love Harold anyways because he only wants what’s best for me

“Penny,” he starts again patiently “You’re too young to knohat you really want You’re only eighteen, sweetheart, and you haven’t seen the world It’s too early to commit yourself to a lifetime as a hairdresser when you haven’t experienced any other profession”

I nod

“I know Dad, but being a hairdresser fulfills ive et the, right? I’”

Harold hs and looks at the floor

“I just want to give you every chance in life Penny Your mom would have wanted me to provide as many opportunities as possible, and for you to see the world at least a little bit before you settle down here in Gainesville for the rest of your life”

I throw my arms around my dad