Emma Rose... There’s a young man at the door... ...Is he supposed to be your date? He showed up early That’s a nice touch Shirt tucked in Maybe trying too much He shook my hand Looked me straight in the eye Said, “Good evening, sir” Like he’d practiced the line He brought her flowers I stepped aside Don’t call that approval I just let him inside He’s saying all the right things That’s what bothers me I know exactly what he’s thinking I’ve been seventeen You can smile for the picture You can polish up your charm You can promise you’ll be careful And swear you mean no harm I’m sure your momma loves you And you look like Harry Potter But let’s save us both some trouble No, you can’t date my daughter No, you can’t date my daughter I asked where they were headed He said, “Italian House, downtown” That sounded rehearsed So I wrote the address down I asked what his plans were He said, “Dinner, then home after that” A boy that specific Has already done the math Then he called me “sir” With a respectful nod That level of manners Usually means something’s off He’s a little too tall Standing like a man That boy didn’t come here nervous He came here with a plan You can smile for the parents Flex your common sense Promise you’ll be home early But I’m still unconvinced I’m sure your momma trusts you And you still look like Harry Potter But the more I think about it... No, you can’t date my daughter I know that easy smile I know that steady hand I know how fast “yes, ma’am” Can turn into other plans It isn’t that I doubt him Or think he’s gone too far I just remember seventeen And where we parked the car Emma Rose came down the stairs With her coat across her arm Said, “Daddy, take it easy I can handle all that charm” She kissed me on the cheek Said, “We won’t be out too late” Then handed him the car keys As if that closed the debate I said, “Eleven-thirty” She said, “Twelve—and not before” We settled on eleven-forty-five And they walked out the door You smiled for the parents Flexed your common sense Promised you’d be home early Though I’m still unconvinced I’m sure your momma trusts you But you still look like Harry Potter Now you’ve got my car keys... And you walked out with my daughter If you’re gonna date my daughter Here’s what you better do Be back by eleven-forty-five... Don’t make me wait up for you Emma Rose... Eleven-forty-five means eleven-forty-five. And bring back the car.
