I can't believe it. I have been accepted! It says I can start this fall semester. That is great news, now I can get out from under my dad's thumb. He has gotten so overprotective lately. It has gotten steadily worse since mom passed away. I get it since I am all he has now, but I am an adult now. He needs to let me make my own decisions. I had just gotten in, put my stuff down and read my letter when I heard the front door. I headed towards it, and ran to my dad screaming.

"I got in! I got in!"

"Congratulations, pumpkin! I knew you could do it! How about we go out for dinner tonight. Let's celebrate."

"Okay!"

We head out to our favorite diner and sit down. Dad's favorite waitress comes over to take our orders.

"Good evening, guys. What do I have the pleasure of seeing you two tonight?" she asks.

"Amanda here has been accepted into the University of Texas at Austin."

"That's great, so what are you going to study?"

"Interior design."

"That's great. You always had a love for decorating."

"Thank you, Stella. I am thinking about going this fall."
"So do you want your usual?"

"Yes, please." My father says before I can answer.

"Actually, I would like a cheeseburger and fries. I am celebrating."

"Alright then, I will be back with your drinks."

She heads off to put in our order and get our drinks. My dad gives me a stern look.

"I thought you were going to start the winter semester?"

"I think I am ready to start sooner. Are you mad?"

"No pumpkin, I was just ready to let you go come January. I just don't want to see you leave this soon."

"Oh dad, You'll be fine. I won't be that far away. You can call me any time and I can be home every holiday."

"I know, but my little angel will be leaving me and I will be home alone."

"Daddy, don't be silly."

"Give your dad a break. You are my only child."

Stella soon comes back with our drinks, and sets them in front of us.

"Here you go guys. They are on me. Congratulations Amanda, we will miss you around here."
"Thanks Stella"

She heads to check on her other patrons and then heads back to the kitchen.

"Daddy, I think Stella may have a crush on you."

"Don't be silly pumpkin."

"Come on Daddy, she spends a lot of time with us and you always get a bigger helping than anyone else."

"She is just being nice."

I just roll my eyes at him. I really think she likes him and I think they would be good together. He needs to find someone. Mom would want him to be happy.

"Daddy, you really have got to open your eyes. Mom would want you to move on. She would want you to be happy again."

"Pumpkin, I am happy. I don't need anyone else. Can we not talk about this now?"

"Alright, another time."

We finish eating dinner and head home. I am too excited to sleep and sit in my room researching on my laptop about housing on campus. I get myself started with the process of beginning in the fall, and I can't wait. It was getting late and I closed my laptop and lay down to sleep. I hear my phone go off and look to see it's Eric. I smile as I pick it up.

"Hey, baby."

"Hey sweetheart, I miss you."
"I miss you too."

"So, are you coming over Saturday?"

"Yes, I have some good news for you."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow. I want to see your face when I tell you."

"Okay, should I worry?"

"No, it is wonderful."

"Alright, So how was your afternoon?"

"It was good. Especially after the hangover finally went away. Why do people drink, when they feel like that the next day?"

"Not everyone gets hangovers, sweetheart. It was your first time, it's bound to happen."

"Uggh"

"We, I better let you get some sleep. I will talk to you in the morning."
"See you in the morning, good night.

"Sweet dreams"
We hang up and I plug my phone in to charge and lay my head on my pillow and quickly fall asleep. The next morning I crawl out of bed and head into my bathroom to start my morning routine. I then head downstairs to grab my things and head out. I see daddy sitting in his usual spot drinking his morning coffee and reading the paper. I walk over to kiss his cheek.

"Have a good day, pumpkin."

I hear him say as I head out the door. I hop in my jeep and head to the shop. Jennifer, my boss and Heather are already opening up. I walk in, put my things in the locker and head out front to talk to them about my acceptance.

"Hey guys, I need to talk to you."
"What's up dear?" Jennifer asks.

"I wanted you to know I was accepted to the University of Texas at Austin. I'm starting in the fall."

"Oh wow, that's exciting. I'm going to miss you!" Heather says with a smile.

"That's great news! When will you be leaving?"

"The end of August."

"That's about six weeks. It will be hard to replace you."

"Thanks Jennifer."

We get ready to open and soon the crowds start coming in. I eventually see Eric come through the door and I can't help but smile ear to ear.

"Good morning, handsome."

"Good morning, beautiful. So what is the news you have for me?"

"I was accepted to Ut at Austin."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Nope, I start this fall."

"That's awesome, babe!" He says as he picks me up and spins me around, placing a heated kiss to my lips. "But that means I won't be able to see you all the time."

"I know, but you can come up on the weekend, and we can still talk on the phone, or facetime."
"Yes, I know. I will miss you while you're gone."

"I will miss you too."

"Well then, this calls for a celebration. I am taking you out this Saturday. Dress nice."

"Okay, do you have a busy day today?"

"Not too bad, but that could change."

"Well, you better get moving. You don't want to be late and make your uncle mad."

I hand him two coffees as he laughs. I kiss his lips as he heads out the door. I get back to work and the day flies by. I go to head out to my care and I run into Jenkins again.

"So I hear you are off to college?"

"Yes, but that is none of your business."
"Aw, come on. I just want to congratulate you." He says as he takes a few steps towards me and tries to give me a hug. I step back and try to avoid his advances and back up into my jeep. He moves until he is inches from me and places his hands on either side of me caging me in. My heart starts beating faster as the fear in me rises. He leans in and places his nose against my neck as he inhales. My body starts to shake as he runs a hand along my arm. I am standing paralyzed with fear as Heather comes out of the front and she turns to see us. I plead to her with my eyes and she can see the fear.

"Hey Amanda, you forgot your keys... oh, hey. Sorry, am I interrupting something?"

"Yes, you are." He says as he turns around with anger in his eyes.

"No, not at all. You know what? I think I may have forgotten my stuff for school."

Heather grabs my hand and leads me back into the shop. I immediately sit down and start sobbing. I have been sobbing for about forty minutes and in comes Eric. He quickly comes and kneels down in front of me as he pulls me into his arms. I wrap my arms around him holding him tight as I cry into his neck.

"Shh baby, You're okay. I'm here." He calmly rubs my back as I cry. I can't believe that Jenkins did this. If Heather hadn't come out. I don't know what could have happened. I slowly stop crying and I pull away from him sniffling.

"Are you okay to go home?"

"Yes, I think so. As long as you walk with me. I am going to tell dad about this. He needs to know what he is working with."

"Okay, let me know when you are home, please or I will come over there to make sure you are safe."

"I will. Walk with me?"

"Let's go sweetheart." He walks me to my car and kisses me after I get in and then shuts my door. He stands and watches me leave. I finally reach home and dad is sitting in his chair watching the news. I sit on the couch near him.

"Hey pumpkin, how was work today?"

"It was great till I had a run in with Jenkins."
"What happened? He was out patrolling this evening. He should have been working."
"He pinned me against my car and tried to touch me."
"Are you kidding me? I will have to have a talk with him. That is not acceptable, especially with you."

"Please daddy, I don't want to start any trouble."

"No pumpkin, I will not tolerate this. I'm sorry I ever tried to get you together."
"Thank you daddy, Eric is taking me out Saturday."
"You know I am not a fan of that boy, but have him pick you up here."

"Are you sure?"

"Not really, but we need to have a talk."

"Oh daddy, don't scare him off." I laugh as I head up to my room, and I pick up my phone to call Eric.

"Hey sweetheart, are you home?"

"Yes, and I had a talk with daddy."
"Is everything okay?"

"Yes, for now. I hope it stays okay. Daddy says you can pick me up here Saturday night ."

"Should I be scared?"

"No, but he said he wants to talk to you."
"Oh, the talk."

"It will be fine. I gotta go. I will talk to you tomorrow."

"Aright sweetheart, I will talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams" We hang up and I get to work on my laptop, getting things ready for school. I get everything settled and just have to wait on my dorm room assignment and the day I will have to register for classes. My financial aid is already finished and I will get that soon. I didn't know it had gotten so late and I close my laptop to go to sleep