Reprimand

“What on earth were you thinking?” Becca thundered at her daughter in anger.

“Thinking about what?” Emma replied casually, dumping her school bag on the floor, a move that Becca had warned her against doing several times to no avail.

“Why on earth would you get in the car with a stranger and even go get ice cream with him?”

“But Mr. Ryan is not a stranger! He came to my birthday party.”

“I know. That doesn’t justify you getting in the car with him instead of getting on the bus.”

“Relax, mom,” Emma said, ignoring her mother and moving away to her room, clearly not getting what all the fuss was about.

“Emma Harris. You come back here this minute. You don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you. That’s very rude and I didn’t raise you to be rude.” Becca said sternly, her tone brooking no argument. Emma sighed and trailed back into the room, her small mouth set in a pout.

“Listen to me very carefully. You will go nowhere with Mr. Ryan unless I ask you to do so, or else you will