Behind Her Smile (6 page)

Michelle shook her head and stood. As she turned to go find her tennis shoes, she almost collided with Steve. Steadying her by placing his hands on her shoulders, he said, “Hey, there, gorgeous. I’m ready for our walk.”

She smiled. “Give me a minute to find my shoes.”

As she pulled away, she noticed him turning his attention to the video game. “Nice one, sport!” he exclaimed as Caleb’s car crossed the finish line. Their son turned and grinned, holding up his hand for a high five.

Michelle spotted her shoes under the dining room table, and soon she and Steve were headed out the front door.

“So is there any ulterior motive for this walk tonight?” Steve asked. “Or are we just getting some exercise and time alone?”

“You really can read me like a book, can’t you?” she replied.

He grinned, draping his arm over her shoulder and pulling her close. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No,” she admitted. “But it would be nice to have some element of mystery remaining.”

“There is,” he replied.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what the ulterior motive is yet, do I?”

She nodded. “You’re right. You don’t.”

“Okay. So spill.” Steve released her and ambled by her side.

“It’s about Maddie,” Michelle began.

“The terrible teen?” he asked with a wink.

Michelle gave him a playful shove. “Yes. That’s the one.”

“So what’s up? Are we back to what we talked about last time, or is this something new?”

“It’s a little of both,” she replied, searching for the words to explain her concern. “I feel like Maddie is trying to transform herself into someone else. Like she isn’t happy with the way she is. Do you know what I mean?”

He seemed to be pondering the question.

“I think Madison doesn’t realize how beautiful she is, Steve. All this dieting and exercising. And now she’s got a whole new look she’s trying to create.”

“Like the eye makeup?” he asked.

“Yeah. And the kinds of clothes she wants to wear.” Michelle knew Steve wouldn’t be happy with Madison’s purchases that day, but she also knew if they came down too hard on their daughter, it could easily spark a rebellion. “She went shopping today while I was working in my classroom. The stuff she bought was pretty revealing.”

Steve stopped and looked her in the eye. “Seriously? Madison?” He seemed surprised. “She’s always been pretty modest, and I thought the dieting and exercise meant she wasn’t all that hot about her body right now. I’m surprised she’d go for more revealing clothes.”

Michelle sighed and nodded. “I know. But again, I think it’s her way of trying to be something that she’s not.”

“So what do we do? You’re the female here. Plus you’ve got the experience with adolescents. What do you suggest?”

“I’m thinking maybe you could be the key to helping her realize how beautiful and valuable she is…and that she doesn’t need to change.”

“Me? I mean, I know we’ve talked about this a few times already. I’m trying to give her more compliments, honey. But, hey, I’ll do whatever else you say.”

“I’m thinking maybe you could take her out. On a date, I mean. Just the two of you. Remember, I mentioned that before?”

“Okay. Where should I take her?”

“I don’t know. Maybe out to the Cliffhanger for dinner and then to see a play at the theater or something like that.” Michelle searched her mind for ideas. “I think the main thing is to make it a really special evening. One where both of you get dressed up.”

Steve nodded. “Like the time I gave her that purity ring?”

“Exactly. Like that.”

“You think she’ll go for it?” he asked.

“I think so. And it’ll give you a chance to make her feel like a princess again.”

“Okay. See if you can get some tickets for the theater, and let me know when to make the dinner reservation.”

Michelle felt a surge of hope. “Great! I’ll get on it tomorrow morning.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “Thanks, honey.”

He gave her a side hug and kissed the top of her head. “You bet, babe.”

The following evening, Steve knocked tentatively on Madison’s bedroom door.
Why am I feeling nervous about asking my own daughter out on a date?
He wondered.

“Come in,” Maddie’s voice called to him.

Walking into her room, he noticed the clutter on the floor and desk. Not Madison’s usual way. She tended to be neat and tidy.

“What’s up, Dad?” she asked, flipping her laptop closed and leaning back against the headboard of her bed.

“Mind if I sit?”

Madison pulled her legs up toward her and gestured to the edge of the bed. “Be my guest.”

Steve moved a sweatshirt and sat down. “How’s life?” he asked.

She looked a little puzzled. “Fine, I guess. Why?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Just seems like we don’t get much chance to talk anymore,” he said.

Madison nodded. “How’s your life?” she asked.

“Well…I guess pretty busy. Work’s been a little hectic lately.” He paused and then added, “But hey, I’m never too busy for you, princess.” He noticed her roll her eyes slightly at the nickname and decided to quickly plow ahead with his request. “So, anyway, I was wondering if you’d be willing to go on a little date with your old dad.”

“A date?”

“You know, just an evening out. The two of us. We could go to dinner and the theater.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two tickets. “They’re pretty good seats.
The Wizard of Oz.
It sounded like fun.”

She hesitated.

“I’ll take you to the Cliffhanger for dinner, first,” he quickly added. “We could share a piece of that mud pie you love for dessert.”

“I’m trying to watch my calories, Dad,” she replied. “But the play sounds good. And I’m sure I could find a salad or something on the menu.”

“So you’ll go?”

“Sure. When are the tickets for?”

“Friday night. Eight o’clock show. So we should do dinner around six-thirty.”

“Sounds good,” she replied. “I should probably dress up a little, right?”

“Yep. I will, too.” Steve reached over and squeezed her knee. “I’m really looking forward to this,” he added, before standing up. “I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing on the computer.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Steve found Michelle in the kitchen with her lesson plan book spread open on the table in front of her. “So how did it go?” she asked.

“Good. At least I think so. She said yes, so that’s the most important thing. But she did roll her eyes when I called her
princess
.”

Michelle laughed. “She’s trying to grow up, honey. Someday she’ll treasure that nickname again. Trust me.” She reached out and squeezed his hand then pulled him down for a kiss. “Whether she admits it or not, I’m sure she was happy to have your attention and be invited out for a special evening.”

“Hope you’re right, babe. We’ll see how it goes on Friday.”

“Maddie? Are you ready?” Michelle called from the bottom of the stairs. No answer. She glanced over at Steve and smiled. “I’ll go up and check on her.”

Steve checked his watch. It was already 6:40, and they needed to get going. Otherwise their dinner would be rushed or they’d miss the beginning of the play.

A moment later, Michelle appeared at the top of the stairs with Madison following behind. Steve could tell from Michelle’s expression that she wasn’t happy. When he saw their daughter, he knew why.

Madison had on a skirt that would have fit her when she was seven years old. It barely covered her rear end as she carefully walked down the stairs, keeping her legs together and trying hard to navigate the descent gracefully in shoes that looked to have five-inch heels. Her sweater was off one shoulder with a bra strap clearly displayed across her bare skin.

She looked at him guardedly. Her face clearly poised to defend the outfit.

Michelle’s eyes met his. She looked tired and disappointed. Steve knew he had two choices. Confront the outfit and risk an outburst that would ruin the evening before it got started, or choose to ignore it and hope for a chance to breech the subject later that night. He chose the latter.

Glancing over at his wife, he gave her a reassuring smile. “All set?” he asked Madison.

She looked a little startled. “Yeah.”

Steve held out his arm. “Then let’s go.”

Madison reached for it and wobbled a bit on her heels. Steve just held firm, and she was able to regain her balance. “See you around eleven,” he said to Michelle, who nodded, her eyebrows raised in a skeptical expression.

As Steve glanced over at their daughter, he saw a smug smile on her face.
Triumph over Mom,
he thought.
This should be an interesting evening.

After Steve and Madison had left, Michelle picked up the phone and called Kelly. “Can you talk?” she asked, when her friend picked up.

“Sure. Just give me a minute.”

Michelle heard muffled voices in the background. With Kelly’s large brood, there was always someone needing something.

“Okay, I’m back,” her friend said. “What’s up?”

“Remember I told you about Steve and Madison’s date night?” Michelle began.

“Yeah. It’s tonight, right?”

“Mmm hmmm. They just left.”

“You don’t sound happy,” Kelly observed.

“You should have seen what Maddie was wearing, Kelly. She had on the shortest mini skirt and off-the-shoulder sweater along with a pair of spike heels that were at least four inches, if not more.”

“I take it you’ve never seen the outfit before?”

“Never,” Michelle replied. “She’s been doing some shopping for school recently, but this was not from any of the purchases I knew about. I asked her where she got the things, and she said, ‘What does it matter? I used my own money.’ She’s really changing. I’m worried.”

“What did Steve say?”

“He played it cool and gave me the ‘I’ll handle this’ look.”

“I think that was smart. Madison knows how to push your buttons, Michelle. She’s a teenager. She’s going to try stuff like this. It’s part of figuring out who she is and how she wants to live her life.”

“Yeah. I guess it’s just a combination of everything—the dieting and the clothes—that have me worried. She’s such a beautiful girl. Why can’t she see that?”

“Could you, at her age?” Kelly asked.

Michelle paused. She thought about how many people had complimented her on her appearance over the years. She still had a hard time believing them. Had she passed along the same doubts to her own daughter?

“Are you still there?”

“Yeah. You’re right. Why is it always so hard for us to see ourselves as others do?”

Kelly laughed. “I don’t know. I guess maybe it’s society and the push for a certain look that is plastered on every beauty magazine on the newsstands. Or the enemy’s attempt to derail us from viewing ourselves the way God does.”

“What about Lucy? Does she wrestle with this, too?” Michelle hoped to find some affirmation that every teen had the same struggle.

“My Lucy? She’s a different breed. You know that. Ever since she was a toddler, she’s been storming ahead, grabbing life by the reins, and plowing forward with zeal. So it’s not as easy to see it in her as in your sweet, sensitive Madison. But I’m sure there are times Lucy faces her own internal struggles. She’s just not one to let on. She’d rather have everyone think she’s got it all figured out.”

Michelle sighed. “I sure hope this date night goes well. She was mad at me when they left, but hopefully Steve will be able to reach her.”

“I’ll pray.  Let me know how it goes.” A shouting match could be heard in the background. “I’d better go. The boys are at it again.”

“Okay. Thanks, friend.”

“You’re welcome,” Kelly replied. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

Michelle set the phone down and sunk into Steve’s chair. Folding her hands in her lap, she closed her eyes and began to pray that God would use this evening to make an impact on their daughter’s life. An image of her grandmother flashed across her mind. Picking up the phone, she called her.

“It’s so good to hear from you, sweetheart,” Grandma Joan said.

After exchanging pleasantries, Michelle pressed on with her request, carefully choosing her words. “Would you pray for Madison, Grandma?”

“Of course, dear. Is something wrong?” Joan sounded worried.

“Just teenage girl stuff. I think it’s a combination of Luke leaving for college and some normal insecurities at her age. But we’re trying to nip it in the bud. I’d really appreciate your prayers.”

“I’ll pray. And I’ll get the Silver Sisters on it, too,” she replied.

Her grandmother’s prayer group had made such a difference in her life. Michelle smiled as she pictured them huddled together, interceding for her daughter. So many spiritual mountains had been moved by God through her grandparents’ prayers. Now that Grandpa Phil was gone, she was glad her grandmother had such close friends to link with in prayer.

“Thanks, Grandma. I feel better already,” Michelle replied with a smile.

Steve could see eyebrows raised as the restaurant hostess led him and Madison to their table at the window, overlooking the surf.

I can just imagine what some of these people are thinking,
he mused. Madison looked to be about eighteen or nineteen in her makeup and outfit. And there was no denying that Steve was in his early forties.

He was actually relieved when Maddie said, “Look, Dad. What a great sunset.”

Hope everyone heard that, he thought.

They took their seats and accepted menus from the hostess. “Our special tonight is the salmon,” she said, pointing to a parchment page inserted into the menus. “It’s marinated and grilled over an open flame, then served with wild rice and asparagus.”

Madison didn’t look impressed.

“She’s not a fish lover,” he explained.

“Can I get you a drink to start with? Your server will be with you in a minute,” she added.

“I’ll have an iced tea,” Steve replied. “How about you, honey?” he asked Madison.

“Just water.” She gave the hostess a smile. “With lemon.”

“You’ve got it.” She replied, disappearing in the direction of the kitchen.

They studied their menus for a minute. “The pork chops sound good,” Steve offered.

Madison nodded, but didn’t say anything. She fingered her exposed bra strap as she continued perusing the menu.

Since when did it become fashionable to have your bra showing?
Steve wondered. Then images of pop stars flashed across his mind—performers who were continuously pushing the envelope for shock value and attention. He shook his head, and then caught himself. Turning his attention back to Madison, he asked, “Did you find something you’d like. It’s my treat,” he added with a wink.

She closed her menu. “I think I’ll just have a salad.”

“That’s not much for dinner. How about a side of stuffed potato skins? You used to love those.”

She shook her head. “No thanks. Salad will be fine.”

Steve winced inside. As Madison gazed out the window, he noticed how her bones were beginning to show on that exposed shoulder. “Well, I think I’ll order a starter of artichoke dip,” he said, hoping another of her favorites might tempt her.

Madison just nodded. “Okay.”

A busboy delivered their drinks, followed by the waitress. “Can I get you an appetizer before you order?” she asked.

“I’ll take the artichoke dip,” Steve replied. “Do you want anything else?” he asked Madison.

“No thanks.”

The waitress nodded and said, “I’ll be right back with that.”

Steve followed Madison’s gaze out to the ocean. The sun was perched on the horizon, and pink and purple clouds contrasted with the iridescence of the water. “Beautiful evening,” he said.

She nodded again. “Yeah.”

Grasping for a conversation starter, Steve said, “So tell me more about your classes. Were you able to straighten out that history teacher thing?” He already knew the answer, but hoped it would help her open up to him.

A beep caught Madison’s attention before she could answer, and she dug into her purse, pulling out her cell phone. Staring at it for a minute, she began typing. Then she stopped and set the phone on the table. “Sorry, Dad. What were you saying?”

“I was asking about your history teacher this year.”

“What about him?”

“Did you get it changed? I think you said Luke recommended someone else.”

“Oh. Yeah. It’s taken care of,” she replied. The phone beeped again, and she picked it up and began reading the message.

Steve could feel himself getting impatient. He was about to say something when the waitress approached the table. “Here you go,” she said, placing the dip and chips in the center of the table. Are you ready to order, or should I come back in a few minutes?” she asked.

Steve glanced at his watch—7:00. “We’d better order. We have a date at the theater at eight.”

She whipped open her pad and stood poised to write. Looking at Madison, she asked, “What can I get for you tonight?”

“I’ll have the spinach salad, please. With dressing on the side and no bacon.”

The waitress nodded as she wrote. Then she glanced over to Steve.

“I’ll have the pork chops,” he said.

“Great. I’ll get those orders in right away.” Leaning over, she took their menus. “Enjoy your dip.”

Steve dug in. “Try some, Maddie. It’s really good.”

She hesitated and then picked up a chip, scooping a tiny bit of the dip before popping it in her mouth.

Steve smiled. “Good, huh?”

She nodded. “I’m going to the ladies’ room,” she said, pushing back her chair. “Be right back.” She stood to her feet and walked carefully on her stilts in the direction of the restrooms.

Steve took a deep breath and sighed. He looked down at the dip.
Someone might as well enjoy this,
he said to himself silently. By the time Madison returned five minutes later, he’d eaten most of it. As she took her seat again, he pushed it slightly in her direction. “The rest is yours,” he said.