While pretending otherwise, I was tickled pink with our decision and immediately conveyed the news. Karen was as nervous as a tick, biting her finger nails.
"Stop that business," I said. "I'll make you do twenty pushups."
"What did he say?" she begged, ignoring my comment.
"You mean what did we say?"
"Like, yeah."
I explained our compromise. She feigned a hint of disappointment but I knew she'd expected and out and out turn-down and was thrilled.
"What's the lucky boy's name?" I asked.
"Stanley," she exclaimed as she gave me a hug and ran to thank her father.
I thought I was finished for the evening but later she came into the room after closing the door and plunked into the love chair.
"More questions?" I asked, joining her.
"What should I let Stanley do?" she asked.
"Karen!"
"No, I don't mean it like that! Should I let him hold my hand, or put his arm around me? I don't know any of that stuff. I don't want to seem stupid and ask my friends. I guess I could look around and see what other kids are doing."
"No, that's not the best way. You should follow what you feel like doing, within reason," I added. "If you think it would be nice to hold his hand and he offers, go for it. Just because some other guys are smooching it up and stuff is no reason for you to copy. You call the shots. He doesn't do anything without your complete permission. Remember. It's the first date. No need to rush things."
"Thank you," she answered but made no move to leave.
"More questions?"
"Different topic."
"Go for it. Honesty pact?"
"No. Like an opinion on something. You tell me things and I really appreciate it. You give me a lot of slack too. None of my friends have that. I don't tell them because I'm not sure they'd understand; no, I'm sure they wouldn't."
"Thank you. So, what's the problem?"
"Anne. Her parents are really strict and religious, but I don't think they tell her anything. She said something at school that made me think about the time I heard the F word and didn't know what it meant until you told me. Anne is my friend and I like her a lot. I don't want to see her hurt and have kids make fun of her. Do you think it would be okay if I told her some of the stuff you told me?"
"I don't have a problem with that, and it's very kind of you to want to help your friend. I caution you to keep it private, between the two of you. I trust you to explain things carefully. A lot of what I told you is very private and sensitive. I know you're mature enough to understand it, but I don't know Anne that well."