Theodore Bay was a pretty normal dad. He had tortoiseshell spectacles, light blue button-downs, and a slightly balding spot on the dome of his head that he was constantly in denial of. He loved his wife and his two children, and liked going to local hockey games with his family. However, there was one major difference that set him apart from other fathers; one difference that, ironically, had unpredictable consequences.
Theodore Bay was a Reader.
Of course, like any Reader, his readings were dependent on the day-to-day course of events. Even the slightest changes led to dramatically different readings; a person's mood would certainly influence his or her decisions, then actions... which then influence other people's moods, decisions, and actions... in an ever-changing web of social and emotional dominoes.
Alice Bay was a pretty normal teenager. She had scented hairspray, pink skinny jeans, and a few celebrity crushes that she was constantly in denial of. She loved her brother and her parents, and liked going on occasional camping trips with her family. However, there was one major difference that set her apart from other teenage girls.
Of course, your life would be pretty different too if your dad could read the future.
---
"Dad, I want you to meet Ryan," she said with a smile. "Ryan, this is my dad. I've told him lots about you!"
"She sure has," Theodore said with a firm scowl. Two seconds into meeting Ryan, he had been disappointed by his weak handshake and the bizarre skull tattoo he had obviously not even tried to conceal. Two minutes later, he had silently run a mental reading of the boy, and seen image after foggy image of a boy who was irresponsible, immature, and reckless with his little girl's teenage heart. Two hours later, he was sitting his daughter down- telling her, once again, that this boy was no good for her.
"But I don't understand, dad," she sighed, "how do you KNOW that he won't treat me right? You haven't even given him a chance."
"Sweetheart, you just have to trust me," he tapped the side of his head twice, right above his glasses.
"I know, I know..." Alice was exasperated. "Sometimes, I really wish you weren't able to do that."
"It's for your own good, love..." He kissed her on the forehead. "I'm just watching out for you."
---
Half a year later, Alice showed up for dinner with a new candidate in tow.
"Dad, meet Philip. Philip is in my History class, he's really smart!"
Philip took Mr. Bay's hand with an especially firm grasp. Satisfied, Theodore Bay relaxed his grip and motioned for Philip to take a seat at the dinner table.
"Wow, that chicken smells great, Mrs. Bay!" he exclaimed
"Why thank you, dear ! But...how did you know we were having chicken?"
"I... I can smell it ! My mom is a really great cook too." He said with a glowing smile. As the family sat around the table, ready to eat, Philip breathed a sigh of relief. A close call, he thought, but not close enough that her dad is on to me yet. He had heard stories about that cutie Alice Bay, and her overprotective dad who forbid anyone from so much as touching his precious daughter. These stories were not even close to scaring him though. This is because Philip actually knew what made Mr. Bay so intimidating. You see, Philip was a Reader himself, and he knew for a fact that the only futures Readers can't see... are those of other Readers.
Smugly, he laid the napkin across his lap and picked up his fork. He was determined to get with the girl that nobody else could touch, determined to take the challenge and add shy little Alice Bay to his growing list of female conquests. Knowing what her father would ask, he had already prepared a considerable bank of grossly exaggerated answers that would project the best possible image... an image that he hoped would be so stellar, that Mr. Bay would let down his guard.
"So, Philip," Mrs. Bay spoke up, "don't be shy, tell us a little about yourself!"
It's showtime, he thought. "Well Mrs. Bay, as you know I'm in the advanced History class with Alice. I really like history, and in the future I'd really like to become a lawyer..."
