“You’re what?”

Sherwood fumbled with the television remote, barely managing not to let it go clattering to the ground. He stared at Robin, he should have known something was up when she came home wearing that cute dress.

“I told you, Dad, I’m going out to dinner with Penn tonight,” Robin repeated. She adjusted one of her earrings.
Sherwood set the remote down on the coffee table. “Penn? Who is Penn? Who said you could go out to dinner?” He gestured to the kitchen, “I was going to make dinner!”

Robin sighed and wrung her hands. “Mom said I could.”
“But it’s not Mom’s weekend!” Sherwood complained.
“But I already made plans and he’ll be here any-”

There was a knock on the door.

Neither of them moved. Sherwood lowered his voice to a whisper, “I’m not going to let you out with someone I’ve never met, Robin!”
“Well what else am I supposed to do, Dad?” Robin hissed. She took a step towards the door. Sherwood let her. He watched her walk to the door and open it.

A boy stood in Sherwood’s doorway. He looked older than Robin, though not by too much. He looked athletic, muscled arms clearly defined past the rolled up sleeves of his button down. His hair was a bit scruffy and dark, like his eyes.
“Penn! So glad you found it!” Robin cheered. Sherwood dug a hand into the sofa as she jumped up to hug the strange boy. He stood up when the boy hugged her back.
“Of course,” Penn said.

Sherwood made his way to the kitchen and opened up the fridge.

“Dad? This is Penn! He’s my,” she couldn’t help but grimace a bit at the word that followed, “boyfriend.” The gentle clink of glasses coming from the kitchen was a softer sound than she had expected.
“It’s, uh nice to meet you, Mister Forrest,” Penn managed. Sherwood walked back into the living room with a tray of drinks.

“Please, you haven’t truly met me yet, have you, Penn?” Sherwood’s smile was dark. “Why don’t you two have a seat for a minute before you go?”
“Dad, I don’t think,” Robin started.
Sherwood’s eyes showed the fury his smile wouldn’t. “Have. A seat.”
Robin pulled Penn down to sit beside her on the sofa. Sherwood held the tray in one hand and removed a glass with the other before walking over to join them. He feigned a trip and sent the colorful liquid right onto Robin.

“Oh, Robin we really have to get that flooring fixed,” he lied.

“Dad!” Robin whined.
Sherwood shook his head. “Why don’t you go get changed. You know what your mother would say if you went out to dinner in stained clothes.”
Robin glared at him the entire walk to the bathroom.

Sherwood set down the tray of remaining drinks and took Robin’s spot on the couch. Penn scooted away and kept his eyes on the blank tv screen. Sherwood waited for the sound of the bathroom door clicking shut before speaking up. “You know, my daughter’s never mentioned you?”
Penn stammered, “o-oh?”
Sherwood turned to look at him. “Yeah, damndest thing isn’t it? I couldn’t imagine why my daughter wouldn’t bring up someone as important as her boyfriend.”

Penn made the mistake of meeting Sherwood’s gaze.

No one had perfected the art of the threatening look like Sherwood had, at least that’s what Penn would tell people later.
“Let me make one thing exceptionally clear to you, Penn,” Sherwood didn’t so much say his name as spit it out at him. “If you hurt her in any way, I will make sure you regret every decision you make after leaving this apartment.”
Pen opened his mouth to speak but found his words lost as Sherwood shoved one of the remaining drinks into his hands. The bathoom door opened. Robin walked back out to the living room in an old white tee.
“Okay, clean clothes,” she said.

“You can’t wear that out!” Sherwood said in mock disgrace.
Robin rolled her eyes. “Well someone ruined my only nice dress!”
“It’s not ruined. That stain will come out with a good wash. Why don’t you go find something a little more…what would your mother say? Presentable?” Sherwood feigned a smile and took a drink from his own glass. Robin didn’t seem to be buying it.
“What are you doing, Dad?”
“Oh, just getting to know Penn!” Sherwood replied. “Do you like camping, Penn?”
“I’ve…never been,” Penn admitted.
“Well, I know plenty of camping stories! Did you know, when Robin was three-”

“I’m gonna go find something else to wear!” Robin called, dashing off to her bedroom.

Sherwood laughed, then took another drink. He waited for the sound of a closing door again before turning back to Penn.
“You know the funny thing about camping in the wilderness, Penn? People make all sorts of mistakes,” he said. Penn shrunk down in his seat. “Fatal mistakes.”

The following silence was satisfying.

When the door opened Sherwood let out a big laugh. Robin jogged back into the living room.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she panted.
“Hey Robin, I just had a great idea!” Robin looked skeptical but Sherwood continued, “just listen. If Penn wants to make up for stealing you away tonight, why don’t we all go camping some weekend! It’ll be a good bonding experience!”

“Really?” Penn asked, terror in his voice.
“Really?” Robin asked, a new light in her eyes.

Sherwood nodded. “Yeah, of course! Shared hobbies are great!”
“Yeah! That sounds awesome, Dad!” Robin cheered. Penn took a drink.

“Well, you two kids have fun. Bring her back before nine, okay?”