"I can't believe I spend all that money for a private girl's school for you and you bring home bad grades!" His voiced was raised slightly in exasperation.
"But Daddy! It's only one B+! Otherwise it's straight A's! And I told you, I don't understand that chemistry teacher! Mr. Donaldson is such a grump!" She sat down in the kitchen chair, pouting like a small child.
Sarah had tears in her eyes. She truly did not want to disappoint her father. He was very kind to her most of the time and he let her do almost anything she wanted. She knew he didn't ask much from her, but he expected good grades. He'd made that clear before.
"He may be a grump, Sarah, but that doesn't matter. I told you I would pay for a private tutor. But you said you had it under control...you led me to believe that you would get an A."
He set the report card down on the kitchen table. The apartment was neat, Sarah made sure to keep it picked up. There was no clutter, not a piece of mail or other item out of place. He liked it this way. He'd made that clear before too. An inkling of an idea went through his mind. "Maybe it would work." he thought to himself. "But whatever happens, she must learn that bad grades are unacceptable."
"I thought I was going to get an A on the final test. I missed an A by two questions. That's all, Daddy."
Sarah was miserable. She knew she had worked as hard as she could and tried her best. It was unfair for Daddy to be angry about this.
"Sarah, you let me down." he paused to let that sink in. She looked down at her lap and didn't move.
"You must show me that you are going to work harder next semester. Less than an A is unacceptable." he said quietly.
"I will Daddy. I promise." she said.
"You must make this up. You will ask Mr. Donaldson if you can retake the test, and you will make it up to me. After all, I work very hard to keep you in that school."
He watched her eyes to see how she would take this last part. He knew from the change in her expression that she understood what he meant. First he saw surprise flicker to fear in her eyes, then submission. That was what he wanted. She really was a very good girl.
"I need to make a phone call. And it's almost bedtime for you. Go get in the shower and we will talk again in a bit." he said. She got up to obey slowly.
"I'm sorry Daddy, honest. I'll do better next semester, I promise!" He could see that flicker of fear again. Good.