Perfects

Chapter 2

Right before we parted, we traded numbers. David Drask lived on a ranch and farm just right outside of the city, not even fifteen minutes from my home. His muscles bulged when he hugged me one last time before he had to go back to work. I could have stared at his muscles forever. I can not wait to tell Mother. She will be so excited to know that her youngest daughter will be missing her clock. Oh, Father will be so proud to know that I will be to marry a strong, hardworking man.

Thoughts swarm my head as I pull into my driveway with my tiny little Coupe. I push the garage door button and it opens smoothly as I pull into the selected stall for my car. The car dies immediately once it is parked. I grab my purse exit the small car and head for the main entrance to the door. The door opens as my Mother stands to wait at the door.

"You were to be home hours ago? What happened Octavia?" she asks, concern obvious in her tone.

"Not much Mother," I blush. I pop out my wrist for her to examine.

"Oh, Octavia! I am so ecstatic right now! Come in, come in! We must have a talk about this exciting news!" She ushers me into the house.

"Father is waiting in the parlor. Come, let us talk!"

Mother nearly skips with glee over to the parlor to claim her favorite chair.

"William! Octavia has some very glorious news for us!"

My father sits in his chair reading the Saturday Journal. His finger scrolls the screen, the words flying by. His dark metal glasses rest toward the tip of his nose. He nods to signal the continuation of the news.

"Father, my clock has clicked off."

He sets his tablet down on his lap and stares blankly through the window.

"Well go on. Who is he?"

My father, a man of few words. Except when he is about to blow with anger.

"His name is David Drask. He is very handsome, hardworking, strong, grateful, kind..."

"What did you say his name is?" My father asks abruptly.

"David Drask. Why Father?"

Father shoots up and his hands fly to the back of his head. Slowly, his face turns a shade of blush that only happens when anger bubbles up unexpectedly.

"God damn it, Octavia. You disappoint me."

"William! Do not take our Lords name in vain!"

"She's an excuse, Lucille! An excuse! She is to leave now!"

My mother gasps and begins to sob. I find out the best news of my life, yet here my parents are disagreeing and mother is crying.

"What is an excuse, Father?"

"An excuse is when a perfect is to marry a worker. It is illegal and is very shameful to the family."

My eyes widen and tears form within seconds.

"Why could you not be more like your other sisters?!" my Mother shouts.

Father walks over to comfort her.

"You need to begin packing. You are no longer welcome here."

"But Father..."

"No, leave now. Take your car and all your possessions. I want no trace of you here. It is bad enough that our reputation will be ruined."

I begin sobbing myself and run up to my room.

.....................

A few hours later, I sit in my parked car not knowing where to go. I dial Penelope's phone in hopes of some advice.