Darren, Male, 54

	- Narrator, retired, father of Gwen and Victoria (Vic)

	- 5'11, beige skin, 195lbs, cropped greying brown hair

Audrey, Female, 16

	- High school senior, daughter of Duncan and Theresa

	- 5'9, pale skin, 140lbs, light-green eyes, straight auburn hair over her shoulders

Gwen, Female, 16

	- High school sophomore, daughter of Darren, sister of Victoria

	- 5'6, beige skin, 135lbs, shoulder-length wavy black hair

Victoria (Vic), Female, 15

	- High school freshman, daughter of Darren, sister of Gwen

	- 5'4, beige skin, 120lbs, wavy neck-length light-brown hair

I spent the better part of Friday working on my proposal for Dean Collins. For the longest time, I was rather lost in what to do. It had been so long since I'd undertaken anything academically-oriented that I felt like a bumbling freshman overwhelmed by the level of tasks before me. I searched online for examples of formatting and sought guidance from a couple of forums, but mostly, I just began to wing my proposal by typing it out.

I decided to take a very social angle to what I wanted to do. The role of women in society had changed dramatically over the past hundred years or so, with greater acceptance of women in traditionally-male roles such as political leaders, technicians, scientists, and attorneys. Sports lagged far behind all those areas, not that in any of them would one find women being embraced as true equals. Women still had to fight harder for acknowledgement and advancement, they had to avoid the smallest mistakes, ones which might not cause their male counterparts to more than hesitate along a career path.

Sports offered a different sort of challenge. There were laws of physics sorts of barriers. Strength and speed being chief among them. Women often had quicker reflexes and better vision, both of which were fundamentally important in most sports, but the relative gaps in strength and speed were often too great to find women athletes capable of performing against men. When I looked at things like 100-meter dash times, hammer throws, cross-country skiing pace, and all sorts of other metrics, women were consistently underperforming their male counterparts at the highest levels.

I began to be concerned that perhaps the laws of physics barriers were not likely to be overcome. There were certainly strong and quick women, often outcompeting many male athletes, but professional sports was dominated by the best of the best, the elite, the most capable, skilled, and physically-superior performers. Beating ninety-nine-plus percent of all men wasn't good enough to play in Major League Baseball. Everyone at that level was doing even better. For Audrey, or any woman, to rise to that level of play would take an extraordinary set of skills and physical capabilities, and I wasn't certain when the right person, Audrey or someone else, might come along and luck their way through all the other obstacles, such as injuries, illnesses, and, of course, opportunities to play.

But society had improved in the way women were treated even if, at times, it seemed the opposite. The rise of online social media fueled the anonymous trolls who sought to score sexist points for shouting down and demeaning women who simply held public opinions, women who tried to point out the inherent problems in a patriarchal society. It felt, often, that the men's rights warriors were even winning the fight.

That wasn't so, as I knew, but that didn't mean the country, or the world, had progressed as far as providing women equal opportunities. At least for sports, there were metrics available which could show how silly it was to deny a capable performer a shot at a career. In baseball, if you could demonstrate an eye for the strike zone and a knack for hitting a breaking ball, if you could charge down a long fly or wheel around to make a split-second throw, there was a chance you'd catch someone's eye.

Audrey was obviously a long way from that point, but I knew it was just a matter of time before she joined the UoH baseball team. There'd be scouts at her games. They'd see her play. At least a few of them would mark down what they thought about her. She'd have to do better than her male teammates to impress any of them enough to do more than be an interesting note in the scouts' reports, but at least there were opportunities ahead of her to do so.

And so, I wrote my proposal, the first draft, at least, aiming to compare and contrast opportunities for women in sports as they compared with other professions. Female attorneys didn't get to compare batting averages and pitch speeds. Sure, there were test metrics and such base comparators available, but there was no way to have a female lawyer perform a three-trial set to see if she could win a variety of cases. The law firm had to measure her solely on test scores and interviews. Baseball, and other sports, offered a more robust way to judge relative performances, and allowed those analyzing the opportunities a way to more objectively identify bias and sexism at play. That, I decided, was how I would address the Dean's request.

I sat the draft aside and left it in the afternoon. I had a week to tune it up, and I expected I'd do a great deal more research to add support for my arguments. I still needed to give it a clearer focus and to hone down the dozen aspects I'd included in the first pass, but I felt it best to let it simmer for another day or two before returning to give it such a go.

I felt pretty good to have knocked it out rather quickly, though, and I went out to the front porch to enjoy half a glass of scotch. I eyed my cigarette pack, nearly grabbing one for a treat, but opted not to partake. Audrey's game wasn't until six-thirty. Gwen had a date that night, and Vic would have only a short one-hour practice after school. Checking my watch, I had just enough time to finish my drink and sober up fully before heading out to pick up my youngest daughter.

Gwen came home before I left. I greeted her and she hurried down to her room to get ready for her date. I found it more than a little suspicious that Pete was springing for such a well-known high-end restaurant as Bagano's. It wasn't the sort of place high schoolers went for evenings out. I knew Pete's family was reasonably well off, but even so, the upscale Italian spot seemed a rather ridiculous place for a second first date between two high schoolers. Maybe he was really trying to impress my daughter. Maybe he was trying to buy his way back into her panties. Almost certainly so, I thought.

I went back in the house. "Hey Gwen," I called as my daughter left her room and headed towards the bathroom, "just wanted to say one thing about your date tonight..."

"O-kay..."

"Guys will go a long ways towards trying to make everything seem great by spending a lot of money on you. Don't mistake that for real affection, okay?"

Gwen eyed me and wrinkled her nose, "So, what, I'm supposed to think less of Pete for taking me somewhere nice?"

"No, but be suspicious. There's nothing wrong with a nice date somewhere, but Bagano's? That's high-end, Gwen. Like... it's gonna run him a hundred bucks without any alcohol. That's an awful lot of money for just talking..."

"Jesus, Dad. Saying I'm not worth it?"

"Just the opposite, actually. What I'm saying is that I find it odd that your first date after breaking up for a while is some place like that. It's... it's saying that maybe you won't notice that other things aren't so great if he spends a bundle on a meal."

Gwen frowned.

"Look, all I'm saying is look beyond just what this night costs, okay? Make sure he's attentive and kind and that you aren't just seeing the illusion he's trying to create. I hope it goes wonderfully and that you have a great night. Just... Just be cautious of his motives..."

"But what if his motive is just to date me, Dad? What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. So long as you're happy, that's what matters. Pull back the curtain a bit, though. Pay attention to what he's saying, how he's treating you, and, more importantly, how he treats other people. That last one... that will tell you everything about Pete. If he's not the jerk who made fun of your sister, he'll show that in how he treats the waitstaff, people who accidentally bump into him, people who are different or stick out."

Gwen let out an exasperated breath. "Anything else, Dad?"

"That's all."

"I need to shower and get ready."

"I'm going to get your sister then heading to Audrey's game. Enjoy your night."

Gwen hesitated, lips twitching.

"Something to ask me?" I said.

"You know, uh," my daughter stammered, "like... could we come back here... afterwards? You know... if I want to..."

I bit my lip a moment, then replied, "You always have my permission, Gwen. I'd rather you be here than taking chances in a car or somewhere you might get in trouble. That will only change if I decide I don't want Pete... or anyone else... in my house. Understand?"

Gwen nodded.

"Still have condoms?" I probed.

"Yeah..."

"Then enjoy your evening..."

"Thanks..."

- - -

Vic was in a sour mood when she climbed into the car. Even through the residual sweat from her practice I could see she'd been crying. I said gently, "Hey, Sweetheart... you okay?"

She shook her head but didn't otherwise reply.

"Is it Simone?"

"Her parents are dicks!" Vic growled. "They're going to pull her from the team. Today was her last practice..."

"Damn... that sucks."

"It sucks bad! I hate them so much!"

Frustrated for my daughter, I put my arm around her and she leaned into me. I kissed the top of Vic's head, her hair salty and sticky, "Sorry, Vic... Wish I could do something..."

"You could kill them for me..."

"Not sure that would make her life better..."

"A girl can dream, though..."

"How's Simone taking it?"

"She's really sad. I hugged her earlier and she just cried and cried, Dad... I hate her parents so much!"

"Do you think they suspect she's gay?"

Vic shrugged against me, "Dunno. I told her to just tell them and get it over with..."

"If only it was that simple..."

"Why not?" Vic said, leaning up. "Why not just get it out like I did with you?"

"Well," I replied, "who knows what her parents might do. How they might react. What if they kicked her out?"

"Isn't that illegal, Dad?"

I shrugged, "Maybe. But they could certainly make her life even worse. She's probably scared to death of them finding out. I bet they'd pull her out of your school and send her to a fundamentalist Christian school instead. Would that make her better off? Not even being able to see you in class?"

Vic started crying, "No... no, that would horrible..."

"Are they violent, Vic? Do you know if they ever hit her?"

Vic nodded, "They've smacked her a lot, and her dad spanks her hard. I hate him so much. Both of them."

I felt concerned as any decent person would. There was a very fine line between discipline and abuse. I'd never been a spanker. I knew the well-founded studies which established how harmful physical discipline was for children. Spanking and slapping and such treatment only made the child more likely to have serious problems, both in adolescence and later in adulthood. I'd found better ways to deal with Gwendolyn and Victoria when they'd done wrong, and I cringed to think that Simone's parents dealt with her in such violent, heavy-handed ways.

"If you ever see a mark on her... or have some proof that they are abusing her... you'll let me know, okay? I can't do much as it is, but if they harm her... that's clearly illegal, parents or no."

"I will tell you..."

I drove us home in silence, Vic sobbing and curled into a ball against the door. I ached for her, but other than offering my shoulder and a gentle hug, there was little I could do to ease things.

Once we were at my home, I checked my watch and told her, "Listen... I'm going to watch Audrey play tonight, why don't you come with me..."

Vic shrugged, which I took for acceptance.

"Go grab a quick shower. We'll go when you're done."

- - -

The ride over to Audrey's high school was mostly me trying to distract Vic by talking about my proposal for Dean Collins. She showed little interest, but that wasn't the point of my monologue. I just hoped to keep her from completely dwelling on Simone and her heartbreak.

The concession stand was open as the bleachers filled up and I sent Vic to find us seats while I waited in line. Herman was just leaving the counter, hot dog and soda in hand. "Hey there, Frankie," he said, falling back on the name he sometimes used for me, "good to see you coming to root on my Audrey."

"Nice to see you, Herman. Joyce along with you?"

He shook his head, "She's resting. Listen," he said, "we're gonna try a trip up to see some friends of ours in a couple of days. Doc says Joyce is okay to travel and we'd like to see Martha and Vince before... you know... things take another turn. Mind looking after Audrey while we're away? Planning on a week, but might make it two if Joyce does well." The twinkle in his eye suggested he already knew my answer.

"Of course. Where you off to?"

"San Diego. They've got a nice place out there and it's been a couple of years since we've seen them. Will be good for Joyce to get a bit of time with some friends. It's been a tough few weeks."

"Well, if there's anything I can do, you know you just need to say so."

"Just see that Audrey sticks to her curfew..." His look said that he knew well enough that the curfew would include me staying over with Audrey.

"Will do."

Herman nodded and left the line just as I got to the front.

- - -

I carried drinks and hot dogs around the stands a moment before I spotted Vic up near the top. Handing one of each to my daughter, I said, "Ran into Herman a moment ago."

"Ah," she said mechanically.

"He and Joyce are going out of town for a week or two."

"Ah."

I sat aside my food and drink and put my arm around my daughter's shoulder, saying quietly, "I love you, Vic."

She nodded and managed to hold back her tears, but just barely.

The teams took the field and the visitors were up to bat first. Audrey was starting at shortstop, her favorite position other than perhaps pitcher. Even though she wore the same grey and white uniform as her male teammates, there was no doubt about her femininity. Audrey's curves were subtle under the jersey and pants, but I could see them. Maybe I was biased. Maybe I knew just what delights were under those clothes and I loved how beautiful my girlfriend's body looked no matter what she wore.

A couple of batters in, a hard grounder took Audrey off her feet as it bounced high off some imperfection in the ground, the ball sailing past her glove and into left field. Even as the opposing stands erupted in cheers, I heard Audrey's frustrated shout above the din. She made up for it when the next batter's sharp liner smacked into her glove and Audrey threw quickly to first to double off the baserunner who had frozen in mid-step.

- - -

In the second inning, Audrey got her first turn at bat and walked on five pitches. Two men sitting in front of me, both somewhere around my age, were laughing at something. I heard one of them say loudly, "Don't care if she's underage, damnit! That girl's got an ass! I bet she'd appreciate me sticking it right up her rear!"

The other guy chuckled, "Probably a dyke, you know."

"Obviously. I'd turn her, though. One quick stab up that healthy butt would do the trick."

I boiled with anger.

Vic caught my arm before I said something, shaking her head. She leaned close and whispered, "Let it go, Dad."

"You heard them, right?"

"I heard them," Vic confirmed, "it's not worth it, though. Trust me."

I started to object but managed to accept her wisdom. I supposed I was going to have to get used to such comments. Guys were dicks, by and large, and any tendencies they had to sexualize a woman, or to shame one, would only make Audrey the obvious target of their misogyny. How I would avoid punching idiots like that in the days and years to come escaped me in that moment, but at least Vic had been there to keep me from escalating things that night.

- - -

Audrey's night at the plate was nothing terribly spectacular. Other than the walk in the second inning, she had a single but otherwise had struck out twice and hit a weak fly to second. Her team took the loss, five-to-three. I could see her frustration as she came over with the other players to talk to family and friends by the side entrance along the fence.

"Hey," she muttered, a smudge of dirt on her face.

"Rotten luck tonight," I offered.

"That damn grounder just set the tone," she said, "felt off the whole night."

"Wasn't all bad. You got a hit and a walk."

"And struck out twice," she protested.

"A little rust, that's all."

"My timing was off. I need to get in some extra reps."

Vic offered, "Wanna go to the cage tomorrow?"

"I've got a morning conditioning session, then yeah, I'd like that," Audrey replied. She looked at me expectantly.

I lowered my voice, "We're still on for tomorrow evening, I promise."

That brought a small smile to her face. "Good."

I saw Herman heading our way, then I leaned in and whispered, "Do me a favor... don't clean up before coming home tonight..."

Audrey's face drew tight, her brow tensing, lips flattening.

Before she could respond, I said quietly, "Not because of the shower thing... I mean..." I made a show of sniffing near her neck, her musky scent heavy with sweat. "I love the way you smell right now..."

Audrey's expression relaxed and she shook her head with a smile, whispering, "Such a pervert... I wanna wash the dirt off my face at least..."

Herman was beside us so I backed away, smiling at Audrey and heading us towards the car.

- - -

Gwen hadn't come home yet when we arrived. Vic disappeared into her bedroom after getting a text from Simone. So far, at least, the girl's parents hadn't taken away her cell, but I wondered if it was just a matter of time before they started snooping Simone's messages.

I showered and waited for word from Audrey.

Instead, the first message I got was from Tracy.

Darren, that would be great, thank you. I won't expect anything since, as you said, it's a long shot. But... I've tried to sell my stories on my own with no luck. No agent will take me on without payment or a track record of sales longer than mine has been. Let me know what you need from me. --Tracy

I looked up my friend Elise at Yates-Parker and sent her an email asking if I could be in touch regarding the publishing industry. It had been a couple of years since I'd spoken with her, the woman an acquaintance of mine via my last tech company. She'd been involved in some of the marketing aspects just before I'd sold my stake and we'd been on generally friendly terms. Elise had moved on to Yates-Parker soon after, and as far as I knew, was still there. I expected she was still working in marketing, but I didn't know.

Email sent, I let Tracy know that I'd be in touch when I heard anything from Elise.

I heard cars pull up next door and peeked out the window to see both Audrey and Herman arriving. I put on a pair of soft slacks and a t-shirt, along with my slippers and wasn't surprised to hear the front door open. I left my room and expected to see Audrey coming in, but instead, it was Gwen with Pete right on her heels.

"Oh, uh... Hi... Dad..." Gwen stammered, blushing slightly.

Pete bobbed his head a couple of times, then said, "Hello, Sir..."

"Nice dinner, you two?" I asked.

"Wonderful," Gwen smiled, "it was amazing, Dad!"

"Glad to hear it..."

A moment of awkward silence was broken when Gwen said, "We're, uh... gonna go... uh... like..."

"Just go," I chuckled, "and turn up your music..."

The two disappeared quickly down the hall. I heard the door close and music come on almost immediately. Seconds later, Vic's door opened and my youngest daughter stomped out and into the living room she stormed, slamming herself down on the couch and crossing her arms.

I sat beside her quietly.

"It's not fair," Vic growled, "she gets to see her lover, no problem, but I can't even so much as call mine... It's not fair, Dad..."

"I know... No phone calls for Simone, either?"

"She's in some stupid scripture thing. She sent me a text or two, but said I can't call or she'll get in trouble. This sucks!"

I hugged her but didn't know what else to do.

The front door opened and Audrey came in quietly, looking my way as if to ask if it was okay. I nodded and she walked over, sitting against the arm of the couch beside me. She'd changed her clothes, now wearing a loose grey shirt and black leggings, but I could still smell the sweat on her body and felt myself rise despite how I held my daughter against me.

"Tough day, Vic?" Audrey asked softly.

"Shitty day..."

"Simone okay?"

Vic shrugged, "She hates scripture crap she's forced to read and recite. Stupid idiots and their stupid nonsense..."

"Want me to go set off a stink bomb or something?" Audrey grinned.

"Would you?" Vic replied. "That would be awesome."

"I'll see what I can do."

Vic smiled weakly, then lost it as she said, "I just hate not being able to see her at all. Just in class... They're taking her off the team... she won't even be able to play!"

"That's awful," Audrey muttered, "poor Simone... and you!"

"I just don't know what to do! I love her so much and I hate that they're being so awful to her..."

Audrey looked at me and I shrugged sympathetically. My girlfriend said, "Wish I knew some way to help..." She shifted off the arm of the couch and sat beside Vic, her side hug joining mine around my daughter. "Just keep loving her, Vic... That's what she needs, for sure... Be patient... hopefully something good will turn things around."

Vic said nothing a moment, then asked quietly, "How are you always so positive?"

Audrey replied thoughtfully, "I guess because I hate not being able to see the good possibilities... I just want things to be great for everyone... and... I dunno... being a downer just makes everyone's day harder, I suppose... I like making people feel better, Vic."

My daughter thought about that a moment, "I'm not trying to be a downer..."

"No!" Audrey replied, "that's not what I meant... Everyone deserves to be down. It's justified, Vic, seriously. This sucks, for you and Simone. Nothing I say can change that. It's okay to be sad."

Vic started to cry again and Audrey and I held her tight for a long while in silence. "Just gonna go to bed. Oh, right. Gwen's fucking her boyfriend... I really don't want to hear that right now."

I ignored her curse word and suggested, "Wanna sleep out here tonight? Like you did when you were little? Make a camp and everything?"

Vic shrugged, which, once more, I took as acceptance. I looked at Audrey, "Wanna join her?"

Audrey smiled, "Camp in the living room? I'm in."

- - -

Sure, it meant that the erotic fun I'd hoped to have with Audrey that night was set aside in order to comfort my daughter. But it felt right, and it was even better given how much effort Audrey put into things. We brought out comforters and sheets, flashlights and pajamas, though Audrey had to run next door to grab the latter for herself. While Vic and I set things up, Audrey made us fresh hot cocoa, and then brought us mugs of steaming goodness when it was through.

The canopy hung between two chairs and the couch, draped down to completely cover comforters and pillows below. There was enough room for the three of us inside. After pulling up one flap, Audrey carefully sat the tray holding our mugs along one side while Vic went to use the toilet. Audrey told me, "Really wish I'd showered now..."

"If you're uncomfortable..."

"Do you think Vic will notice?"

"Doubtful, not in her mood."

"Think it might be a problem if... you know... Pete sees me under here, too?"

I replied, "We won't let him see. I assume Gwen will take him home before too long."

"I'll stay inside, then."

Vic returned and the three of us sat crosslegged under our makeshift tent. Audrey told a couple of pretty funny jokes which got Vic into a better mood, and then we played Uno a few minutes before we heard footsteps down the hall and the front door opened a moment before being pulled shut. "Assuming that's Gwen taking Pete home..."

"Is he allowed to spend the night?" Audrey asked.

"That's up to Gwen and Pete's parents. She has my permission for him to stay, yes."

We returned to our game of Uno. Very faintly, I could smell Audrey's body in the closed-in space. It warmed me more than the cocoa. Just a tease, just a hint of her scent, but I loved it so much I actually wished the cocoa wasn't in there with us, just so that I could breath her aroma more easily. If Vic noticed anything, she didn't mention it.

- - -

A half-hour later, the front door opened and I heard Gwen call out, "What are you doing in there?"

"Camping," Vic replied.

"Just you, Vic?"

"Dad and Audrey, too..."

"Ah... Can... Can I come in?"

Vic shrugged, so I replied for her, "If you wish."

The flap opened and immediately I smelled a scent I really rather would not have noticed. My oldest daughter smelled like sex even above the heavy dose of perfume she wore. Audrey caught it too and grinned at me as if she was enjoying my discomfort. "Uh... Gwen... You, uh... you might want to go grab a quick shower."

My daughter's blush was furious even under the flashlight-lit canopy. She backed out quickly and as soon as she was gone, Vic started to giggle. I stopped her and said, "She doesn't stink, Vic... I'd just rather not be reminded of... such personal things about my own daughters..."

Vic giggled some more, "I know that smell," she remarked, "but it's gross cause it's Gwen."

"Only because she's your sister," Audrey replied, "any other girl and you'd probably like that smell..."

It was Vic's turn to blush. She shrugged but the truth was clear on her face.

Audrey shook her head with a grin, "Now I really wish I'd gotten that shower... Awkward!"

Vic laughed and replied, "You don't smell like pus— uh... you know... sex... You just kinda smell a little sweaty... that's different. I mean... I've noticed what it smells like when you and Dad do stuff... that's gross..."

"Okay... I can't take this conversation..." I was uncomfortable for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that I didn't want any reminders of the distressing thoughts I'd had when my daughters were much younger. "How about we drop it and get back to our game."

Both Audrey and Vic giggled, but at least they complied.

Gwen returned shortly after, pulling back the flap and crawling inside. Her scent this time was rich with bath soap and some sort of florally conditioner. "Better?" she asked.

"Much. Thanks..."

- - -

The quarters were a little tight with the four of us inside our living room tent, but it was such a special night that I didn't care. It was like the four of us were as comfortable together as could be. Hell, three of us had spent minutes laughing about personal odors and such things, and though it made me uncomfortable, I wouldn't trade that honesty and platonic intimacy for anything.

Audrey's place in our family became plainly obvious that night. She wasn't just my girlfriend, or the neighbor, or a friend of my daughters. She was one of us. As if she'd always been there. We laughed easily together. There was no stress or strain or hurt feelings or jealousy. Vic's mood was much improved. I knew that would rebound the next day and she'd be heartbroken again, but, at least for one night, she was able to put aside those emotions and bond with us in a light tender moment.

Audrey and I curled together on one side, Vic and Gwen taking individual spots on the other. I hadn't camped in the living room like that with my daughters in many years, and I forgot how much I loved doing so. Sure, they were getting older, so old that they'd both had sex already, too old to think of as my little girls, but I missed those moments where I got to be close to them, to sleep beside them and feel their warmth, to hear their breathing. To whisper my love for them as they fell asleep. For at least one night, all hearts inside the tent were warmed and loved.

I told my daughters, "I love you," after turning off the flashlight.

"Love you, Dad," they said in unison.

"I love you, too, Audrey," Vic added.

I felt Audrey's smile against my neck as she held herself around me, "I love you, Vic. You too, Gwen..."

"Love you, Audrey..." Gwen said quietly.

I loved that moment so much. Audrey squeezed me, and I knew she did, as well. I turned back to kiss her lips a moment, then whispered my love for her, hearing the same in return. Whatever else was broken out beyond our makeshift tent, whatever heartbreak was to be felt soon enough, that moment was one of the best in my entire life, and it was so special to share it with my daughters and with Audrey, to see them growing closer and accepting, finally, the way my young girlfriend could play a deeper role in their lives.