Page 11 of Anyone But Her

"I know, honey," she says, going over to give him a hug. "But I also want you to have fun. Maybe meet some new friends."

My dad gives Cal his duffle bag. "Go put your stuff away."

He takes his bag and walks off toward the cabins.

"Do I get to go to golf camp?" I ask my dad.

"You'd be going this year if your mother hadn't vetoed it." He hands me my clubs.

"Mom, why didn't you let me go? I need to learn just as much as Cal does."

"I wanted you to have fun this summer." She puts her arm around me as we walk to the range. "Your father puts too much pressure on you two. You and Cal should be enjoying your summers, not just working on your golf game."

"But I love golfing. And I love trying to get better at it."

My dad laughs as he walks behind us. "Hear that, Barb? Told you she wanted to go."

My mom sighs. "Then maybe we'll sign you up if it's not too late."

"Really?" I turn back to my dad. "Can you get me in somewhere?"

"Of course. I'll do it right now." He gets his phone out as we stop at the driving range. He's already calling someone. "Artie, how's it going?" He laughs as he listens. "Yeah, we'll definitely have to do that sometime. Hey, I was calling because I was wondering if I could get my kid a spot at one of your camps this summer. I know it's last minute but maybe if there's a cancellation." He pauses to listen. "No, this is for Taylor, not Cal. And I don't want a co-ed camp." He eyes me. "Girls only." He smiles. "Great! I knew you'd come through for me. She's here now. She's jumping up and down she's so excited. Thanks again. We'll talk soon."

He hangs up and I stop jumping and hug him. "Thanks, Dad!"

"Look how happy she is," he says to my mom. "And to think you weren't going to let her go."

My mom smiles. "I guess both my children were born to golf. They take after their father."

I let my dad go and hug my mom. "Sorry, Mom. I just really love the game."

"I know, honey, but I'll miss you." She looks at my dad. "When's the camp?"

"Not until July, so you'll have plenty of time for mother-daughter activities before she goes. And it's only for a week."

"A week?" I say. "That's barely any time to learn anything."

"There was a spot open at a two-week camp but it's co-ed and I'm not letting my daughter go to a co-ed camp."

"Why not? I'm going there to work on my game not go on dates. I won't even notice the boys."

My mom laughs. "Your father's smarter than that, honey."

"Dad, it's true! Why would I care about some stupid boys at camp?"

Just as I say it, three guys around my age come up beside us with their golf clubs and a bucket of balls. One of them is kinda cute, with blond hair and a dark tan.

"Taylor?" I hear my mom say.

"What?" I look at her and see her looking at my dad. He's shaking his head.

"You're going to the girls camp," he says. "End of story."

He sounds mad. I don't get it. Is he mad because I was checking out the guys next to us? It's not like I was going to ask them out. I was just looking at them. Big deal.

My dad is way too overprotective of me. If he had his way I'd never date.

Ten minutes later, Cal shows up.

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