An old family friend

Dick Rogerson had been a summertime friend of the family for as long as Stephie could remember. They saw him around town and around the lake frequently and had even invited him over for dinner a few times. He was imposingly tall and had always loomed a little over Stephie and her mom. He grinned down at the eighteen year old, blue eyes sparkling with something she couldn’t quite identify. He stood to the side, ushering the three of them in. Her parents confidently entered, but Stephie felt something holding her back.

“Don’t worry, my dear. Just come on inside.” Mr. Rogerson grinned down at the girl.

She nodded and tentatively entered the house. It was a well appointed home, which she hadn’t expected. She supposed she’d always thought he lived in a trailer or a rundown house. Clearly he had his own money.

“Welcome to your surprise, Stephie!” Her mother waved her arm around the space. “You’ll be staying with Mr. Rogerson for a while.”

“Wha– Why!?” She started to step back but realized the man had closed the door behind her and was blocking it with his body.

She felt hands on her shoulders. “You have a lot to learn, my dear, and I’m very excited to teach you.”

“You’ll be in very good hands.” Her dad smiled just as much as her mother.

Her parents seemed very pleased to be leaving her in the hands of this summertime neighbor. And what did he mean teach? What did she need to learn that she hadn’t gotten from her schooling?

“Go ahead and say goodbye to your folks.”

“I’m not–”

“I’ll get her bags from the trunk.” Her dad started toward the door.

“Oh that won’t be necessary, I’ve ensured she has everything she needs.”

“See, we’ve chosen well.” Her mother seemed thrilled.

“What do you mean everything I need? What are you teaching me?” Stephie jumped in, practically yelling to cut through the conversation.

“Firstly, not to behave like a petulant child.” There was something cold in Mr. Rogerson’s voice.

“Sweetie, you’re an adult now. And there are a lot of things about being an adult that you need to learn… hands on. Things that it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to teach you.” Her dad gave her a patient look. She’d always been something of a daddy’s girl.

“I think it’s best you two leave so we can begin.” Mr. Rogerson squeezed Stephie’s shoulders.

Her parents nodded and Mr. Rogerson maneuvered the eighteen year old out of the way of the door, never letting go of her or giving her a chance to escape. Not that she could have, she was frozen in place, anxious about what kind of lessons she would need. She soon heard the gravel crunch as her parents drove away, leaving her alone with a man she barely knew.

“Now, Stephie. If you’re going to behave like a child, you’re going to be treated like one.”