I watched them from the grass, hidden from their view.

Not that it mattered anyway. I was behind them.

I was on edge the second she said she was going to meet a friend. When I asked the name of this ‘friend’ she’d responded that his name was Alex. I had followed her to this pond.

Now she and Alex are sharing some donuts and fruit. Watching them share the chocolate glazed and eat strawberries, my suspicions grew.

They were sliding closer together. Avery reached out his hand onto hers. They stayed there for a bit, watching the moons reflection ripple across the water.

Then they started talking in quiet voices to each other. I couldn’t catch the words, but the subject of confessions and love were prominent.

Avery said something that made her laugh and say yes to something. I saw them lean close to each other and turned away at the last second, but the sound of their giggles carried across the water. I heard it loud and clear.

They sat together a bit longer, each wanting to stay but knowing they would have to leave soon, so they were just soaking up every moment with each other.

Finally, she said something and they started getting up to go. Waving to each other, they went in opposite directions.

Grumbling to myself, I stood up and followed my daughter away from what had obviously been a first date. What’s the point of being a father if they don’t follow the rules of not kissing a boy until they turn 45?