In America (a teenager's patriotic new step dad has unique needs)

Agnes's dad left her and her mom when she was too young to remember. Since then, it's been a struggle. Mom was a teacher, barely getting by, but the two of them were a team, a real partnership. Aggie loved her mom more than anything in the world.

It took some time for her to get used to Chip.

Chip was significantly older than Mom, in his mid 50's, and he came from a totally different world. A former-marine, now owner of a construction company, Chip was stern and serious. But he was also rich.

Once they got married, Aggie and her mom moved into Chip's huge new house. It was quite an adjustment. Shortly after, Chip took Aggie to his stables and presented her with an 18th birthday gift - her own pony. She decided she could probably get used to this lifestyle.

Then things began to change. First Mom quit her job. "Your new Step Dad says in America, the man is supposed to provide and the woman tend to the home. I suppose it's a little old fashioned. But I don't need to work, so why would I?" Mom said.

A few weeks later Aggie was shocked to find Mom sporting blonde hair. "Your Dad thinks I look better as a blonde." Mom smiled as she caressed Aggie's hair. "He thinks you'd look better as a blond too." Aggie hesitated, but Mom went on. "He says, in America when a man works hard he wants to come home to the family looking presentable."

She can't believe she did it, but it wasn't worth arguing over. A week later Aggie had blonde hair.

And it was... it was kinda fun. Boys noticed her more. She kinda liked it.

Then came the request that was worth arguing over.

"Chip doesn't think you need to go to college." Mom said, wincing, knowing Aggie wouldn't take the news well. "he says that he can help you find a good husband, and that ought to be enough."

And there were arguments. Intense, heated arguments over dinner. Aggie would insist that she wanted a career and besides, she'd already been accepted to Texas A&M which Chip should love. Chip would respond every time by saying "In America..."

Aggie thought that maybe one day Chip would reveal his true self. He'd lose his temper, and become the mean step-dad he had always been holding back. But it never happened. He always remained relatively calm. And at the end of each argument he'd say "Well, young lady, you're entitled to your opinion. That's what makes America so great."

In fact, Chip even got Aggie a graduation present. Although it wasn't exactly what Aggie had been hoping for. Still, it was a gesture.