There was a lot of laughter and celebrating at our table, which I'm sure annoyed the romantic couples around us, but that only made it more fun for me. Daddy made an inquiry about where I was going to live for the summer. I punched him in the shoulder, then leaned over and whispered some of the ways he could collect rent from me. He said they were an acceptable compromise.

It was a perfect birthday. It really was. It was enough that I even forgave Daddy when the waiter brought out a birthday cake and the whole restaurant joined in singing happy birthday to me. I blew out the...