Annie's father narrowed his eyes at Steve, a frown plain on his face. "Mr. Booker. Thank you for taking the time to deliver this." He snatched the package from Steve, took a quick glance at the name, and thrust it into the unsuspecting hands of his daughter. "Now you may leave."

He began to close the door in Steve's face, but Annie, reached out and held the door open. "Father, don't be rude."

Her father glared at Annie. "You shall not tell me what to do and what not to do in my own home. I believe that it is time for you to end this conversation and return to your room."

Annie tried to hold his intense gaze, but faltered a little. "I'm nineteen and in college. I can speak with whomever I want for however long I want."

Her father's rage seemed to pour out of him as a tense silence surrounded the three of them. Finally, he noticed Steve still at the door and took a deep breath. He spoke to his daughter in an eerily calm voice. "You will end this conversation within the next two minutes. Then you will close the door and return to your room, where I will not see or hear you for the rest of the night."

Annie opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a meek "Yes sir," after which her father turned and stormed down the hallway away from her and Steve. She turned back to face her neighbor, her face red from embarrassment. "I am so sorry about that... He really has a temper..."