Nicole Story page 15

She and I still butted heads, but it was at a more normal level. I can see that now. It didn’t feel that way then. Of course I had a parent’s fantasy that my child would do everything wonderfully and never cause me any grief. She definitely brought reality home.

When she was sixteen she wanted to drive to Kansas City to pick up a friend at the airport. I said no. There are bad people there.

She said, “There are bad people here.”

“There are more there because it’s bigger.”

“Oh, you never let me do anything!”

“Nicole, you have more freedom than anyone you age.”

“Well, yeah, but with freedom comes responsibility”

“Duh. Welcome to life.”