» Strict Parents

Staying out late
When I was a wee lass (well, I’m still only 5’1”, but I mean when I was 15 or so), my dad didn’t want me to stay out late at a friend’s 16th birthday party. He told me to be back by 11pm “or else”, and he took my house keys away. If I was late, I was not going to be let back in the house.

I went to the party, and despite my friends egging me on, I did a Cinderella, and jumped in a cab home before the party ended. My dad was a bit scary sometimes and I didn’t want to risk his wrath. The taxi pulled up to my house at precisely 11.02pm.

My father, a man of his word, didn’t let me in.

I had to stay at a neighbour’s house for three days until my granny (the only other person with house keys) flew back early from holiday in South Africa to let me in.

When she finally managed to open the door, he acted like nothing had happened, even though my entire neighbourhood had been calling on the phone and shouting through the letterbox for days.

The worst thing about the whole incident was going to school though. I had to borrow clothes from my mates and explain why I needed them.

I never forgave him for that. He’s dead now.
(Fri 9th Mar 2007, 14:58, More)