[Veritas]

Hm, no offers? Well, I'll just have to continue myself...
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"Well, you've got plenty of time to make up your mind about a major," Criss said. "I mean, classes don't start until...when?"

"August twenty-second," Dimi finished for him.

That startled Criss. "Whoa! That's next week! There's not much time to prepare."

Dimi laughed a little. "Uncle Criss, I've been preparing for the past three weeks now," she told him. "I've got all my stuff sorted out and packed, I've got whatever supplies I need for classes, and for my dorm, and, like you said, I've got plenty of time to choose a major."

"You gonna be living in a dorm?" Criss echoed. "I mean, with a bunch of other girls?"

"Well, duh!" Dimi sneered, laughing. "That's what a dorm is, right?"

"But what about privacy?" Criss wanted to know. "All your life you've had your own room, with your own bath and everything, and now you're going to be sharing one with a complete stranger in a building full of complete strangers. It's gonna be like a prison in there."

Dimi shrugged. "Yeah, well, maybe in the beginning of the first semester," she said, "but I'm hoping to pledge a sorority and move into their house. I'm sure I'll get my own room then. Meanwhile, it'll be a temporary inconvenience."

JD's words regarding sororities and fraternities replayed in Criss's mind, growing more convincing with every moment: ...it's just that I hear so many stories about these organizations, you know. Like hazing rituals, and beer bashes, things like that. I just don't want Dimi to get hurt, that's all. And some of those sororities are a bit...snobbish, you know, very exclusive. "Uh, say, Dimi, how's about I find you an apartment somewhere near campus," he quickly suggested. "I'll cover the rent, and you'll have your own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen--everything! You won't have to worry about your roommates borrowing your stuff, or making a mess in the john, or anything like that. A lot of these apartment complexes have really good security, and--"

Dimi held up her hand. "Uncle Criss," she said calmly, "I know what you're trying to do, and I really appreciate it, but it's already a done deal. I got my dorm room assignment last week, and I'm going to try and pledge a sorority. It's not that I'm ungrateful--I really am--but I need to live my own life on my own terms now. I've got to call the shots in my own life, just like you do. You understand, don't you?"

For that one instant, Criss looked at his niece with different eyes. No longer was she the cute, cuddly little girl he used to entertain with lollipops and coins pulled out of thin air. Before him stood a grown woman, confident in her own judgement regarding her life. It saddened him a little, but he stoically accepted reality and said with a brave smile, "Okay, Dimi, you obviously know what you're doing. You're right, you should make your own decisions about your life. You're and adult now, and you should do what you think is best."

Then the brave front crumbled. Criss swallowed hard. "Just promise me, and your dad, one thing, okay? If this sorority thing doesn't work out, or if you get in any sort of trouble, don't hesistate to call on your family for help. That's the one thing you can always count on when things go wrong--your family. We'll always be there for you, no matter what happens. I know you've got everything planned out, but, as they say, the best laid plans often go awry. I should know, I've had it happen to me hundreds of times. So, think carefully about what you'll be getting yourself into, whether it's a sorority or a relationship with some guy you've just met or whatever, and if it blows up in your face, let us know. Promise?"

Dimi sighed, half acknowledging her uncle's wisdom and half irritated at still being treated like a child. "Okay, I promise," she said.

"Good."

Criss reached over and hugged his niece. "You'll do great, Dimi," he said, beaming with pride. "I want your college years to be the best of your life."

"Hey!" a man's voice cried out. "What're you doing with my best girl?"

Dimi and Criss pulled apart and saw JD standing in the doorway with an indignant expression on his face but a twinkle in his eye.

(okay, your turn, whoever you are)