"He was an ass, himself, before Selmak came along," Sam said. "Not so much when I was very young, but there was a long time there that it was easier to pretend I just didn't have a dad. Selmak softened him up a little, gave me some time with him I didn't think I'd ever have." She laughed a little. "So yes, if you came by to ask him if you could take me to a dance, I think he'd approve."