I do.

Dinner

My mother needed some rest but shortly after the stranger lady left she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. It has to be ready before my father comes home from his office. So now I am sitting in the livingroom with Caroline, who pretends to be very interested in some book. I also have a book I am trying to read but I cannot focuse. 

"Carol?" I ask putting the book into my lap. "Who was that woman, who came for a visit? And why was she so mean to mom?" My sister glances at me and she continues to read her book. And as I almost give up a chance for an answer she says: "I am not the one to tell you. Wait after the dinner." "But why does everybody says this, when I ask anything?" I feel anger raising deep in my stomach, so I get up and leave to my room.  I lay the book on my bed-side-table and i sit at my table. I take out my diary and a pen. 

It is so strange. My mother has never behaved so humbly. What of a lady was this visitor? I wish I knew but nobody wants to answer any of my questions. And what was that with new dress? I do not need new gown. And mom is so protective over money. She always thinks twice or even three times before she buys anything. So why not this morning? I am so confused. 

The clock marks seven o'clock and I hear the door to open and slightly later to close. My father is home. I hide my diary and I go to meet him. I still am standing at the staircase as he comes to me and kisses me on forehead. "Vivi, hello." "Good evening, father. How was your day?" I ask politely, just as always. "Good. I had a lot of work but it is all done for now." He takes my hand to his and leads me into dining room. "Is the dinner ready? What do you think?""I think that mother thied harer than usually to be ready." I answer. My father takes his seat at the head of the table and waits for his family to join him. The food smells like heaven so we start to eat. This family has a no-talking-during-meals rule, so my questions have to wait a little bit longer. 

Right after we finished we went to the livingroom again. "So can I have those answers, please?" I ask. I just can't wait any longer. My parents look at each other andmy mother just nods. "So, let me start with the woman, who came for a visittoday. Her name is Lady Wattson and she is well known because of her husband, who is a politician." My mother takes a sip of tea and continues. "This Lady Wattson has a son, who is only a year older than you. Herman. He works in a lawyer office. So your father and I and the Wattsons, of course, decided it would be good to unite our families. We all would benefit. Can you imagine it?" My mother stares into nowhere,while she speaks. She is obviously imagining something. 

"How exactly do you want to unite our families?" I ask but I already know I will not like the answer. 

"You, my dearest daughter, are going to marry Mr Hermann Wattson." My father's voice is full of pride,when he answers. 

"What?I do not know that man. I have never met him. how can youknow it will be a good marriage? And why did I have no word in this matter?" I ask still in shock. My parents are trying to answer me but I cannot hear them because the world around me goes black. I faint.