Cameron's mother dropped me off at nine twenty-nine exact. Dad was impressed that "my date" kept his word, and I think that was Cameron's goal, to impress my dad.

"How was your date?" dad asked before I walked up to my room.

"It was fine. You should be glad I'm not the kind of girl who falls in love with someone after their first date." I replied. Wait, was I that kind of girl? No, I wasn't. Dad would die if he thought I was in love with Cameron Moore.

"I am very glad about that. I'm also very glad that I don't have to work tomorrow. What do you say we go out for breakfast tomorrow morning?" dad said.

"I'd love that! We haven't done that since last year. I'm glad we've been able to spend more time together. I love you." I said, again, just to see if he'd say it back this time.

"You better set your alarm clock for eight a.m. so we can get to McDonald's at nine." dad replied and walked to the kitchen. I couldn't take it any longer. I was sick of having a parent who didn't even act like they loved me.

"Dad, can I ask you something?" I followed dad into the kitchen.

"Yes," he responded.

"How come you want to spend time with me, but you won't even tell me - your daughter - that you love me? When I'm on the phone with Sara, I hear her dad in the background before he's about to leave the house. He always tells her he loves her before he leaves. I want us to be like that. Sure, we spend time together, but spending time with someone is different then loving someone. Why can't you just be a loving parent like every other father?" I said. Dad looked at me with an angry look and put his apple on the counter. Maybe I came off too strong.

"Jennette, don't you ever tell me I'm not a loving parent again. I don't tell you I love you because I do love you, more than anything and anyone. Your mother always told you how much she loved you, and you missed her like crazy because of the love she had for you. If I tell you how much I love you, you'll miss me when I die. I do not want you to have another parent die, and I definitely do not want you to go through that pain again." dad sighed and put his hand to his forehead so I couldn't see him tearing up.

"Dad, I missed mom because she was my mom, and because I loved her. Not because she loved me. No matter what you do, I will always love you, and I will always miss you when you're gone. If you died today, it would hurt even worse because I'd think you died loving money more than you loved me. I've always felt that way after mom died. I just- I just want a parent who can at least act like they care!" I ran up to my room and slammed the door. I changed clothes and sat on my bed with my face in my hands. I cried. And cried. And cried. It felt good to get all of that out.

The next morning, I got up at six a.m.. I dreamt about Cameron all night. Maybe I was the kind of girl who fell in love after the first date. I mean, Cameron was pretty charming. Who couldn't fall in love with a guy like that? I texted Cameron to see if he was up. I waited for ten minutes. No reply. I texted again, but still, no reply. Then I called. Cameron picked up.

"Hello?" Cameron answered. I could tell he was smiling.

"Hey, Cameron. It's Jennette. Why didn't you answer my text messages?" I replied, smiling. I wasn't sure why I was smiling, but I couldn't stop.

"Oh, I guess I didn't tell you when I gave you my phone number. I don't text. I can't, actually." he replied.

"Um, why?" I asked.

"You haven't figured that out yet? I'll tell you on our next date. It's better if you hear it in person." he said.

"Next date? I don't think I agreed to a next date." I said, curious to hear his response. He laughed.

"I guess I haven't asked you on a second date yet. Would you like to go on a second date next Saturday?" he responded.

"Sure, we can plan it Friday, if that's okay with you." I smiled, aware that he couldn't see me through the phone.

"That's perfect. Right now I'm making breakfast for my family. I'm not too good at cooking, so I have an assistant." he replied, laughing, "we're going to go to Church after breakfast, but of course, we have to get ready first. Would you like to join us?"

"I'm sorry, I'm going out to breakfast with my dad. Maybe next time." I replied and hung up.