Dear Prudence,
On a recent visit home, I joined my dad and my stepmom at one of her company’s family days. My stepmom introduced me to a guy we’ll call “Ed,” who immediately started making inappropriate remarks to me despite being about 40 years older than me. After yet another dreary comment about my tits, I kind of rolled my eyes and yawned, and he said, “If you’re bored, sweetie, we can always go back to mine.” I just replied, “Ew.” He replied, “If you Googled me, you’d be dying to come with me.” That’s when I whipped out my phone and said, “Sure, do I search for the world’s biggest douche or is it the world’s tiniest dick?” He completely lost it and had to be removed from the premises by the staff at the event, who threatened to call the police.
I’d be delighted if the story ended there, but it turns out that he’s a big deal at my stepmom’s company, and she is furious because I’ve harmed her career. She and my dad are demanding that I apologize to him. I’m absolutely not going to do that, and I am really angry that they would even ask. I’m 19, and I know what he did was inappropriate and disgusting, so surely they should, too. Am I wrong here? As things stand, I’ve told my dad I need space and will not be taking his calls for a while. Do I just wait this out? Is it wrong that I would rather be right than have a relationship with either of them?
—I’m Right, But What Are You?