Rick took some of his teen advisory group members (STABbies) to Emerald City Comicon. He is a good man, he is a brave man, and willing to not only drive unrelated teens to Seattle but also to be a positive influence on some very thoughtful yet embarrassed young people.

As the photographer was organizing us for the shoot, he gave me some direction. In the midst of that direction he said something that didn’t quite register. He gave us more direction, and said something to me again that didn’t quite sink in. He said it to me a third time and then, with horrible realization, I realized what he had been saying. He was referring to me as “Dad” and he must have believed that I was the father of the STABies!

“Whoa! “ I said, “I’m not their dad! I’m their librarian.”

“Whatever.” He responded, “Move a little to the left.”