Awakening Love

Part two:

Alice

"What events will you be wanted to attend?" My mother asked for the hundredth time this hour. I didn't reply to her, I just looked out the windows and watch all the people work. It was a beautiful day and I wished I could be outside in the sun. "Allison?" My mom asked.

"What? Sorry I didn't hear your question?" I replied looking slowly from the window to my moms angry face.

"I asked, what events you want to attend this year. I needed to let Miss Emerson know by tonight."

"Just say i'll go to all of them, or at least one every week. That's reasonable right." I suggest to her, and clearly she did not like my answer.

"You either choose how many dances you want to go to, how many dinners, or how many outdoor events you want to go to." My mother explained sternly.

"Fine. I'll go to all the dances, all the outdoor events and all the dinners." I replied standing up and walked to the plate of fruit on the table.

"Are you sure you want to do that? I mean finding an escort will be very difficult."

"Mother, I want to get the most out of this summer. So why not just go for it. I mean you do want me to get married correct?"

She looked down and smoothed her dark blue dress out. She said and then nodded her head. Standing up she walked over to me and then took my hands in hers.

"I hope you are going to take this seriously." She said quietly, "because if not, I will not even tell Miss Emerson that you will attending any of the events, and I how you know how much this summer means to me."

"Trust me I know, its all you care about now a days. So yes I will take this seriously. In fact sign is up to host one of the dances. I know how to host a party."

My mother took her hands from mine and walked over to the large window. She looked out to the water feature and smiled. This estate has been in the family for generations, and the water feature was where my father proposed. It had always been her favorite spot, and I don't blame her. It was perfect.

"I remember being in you same spot. It's stressful, finding the right man was not easy trust me. But once you meet him, you'll know. You'll know he's the one." She spoke giving me the advice. "anyway, I guess I will write Miss Emerson that you will be attending all the events."

My mother walked quickly back to the sofa and picked up a paper. It was the one I had been dreading to look at. It had a long list of all the eligible men in the area and in the country.

"now here is a list of all the men good enough for you, this paper doesn't really do much it's just for you to choose what ones most interest you. but you will be meeting them all at some point."

She handed me the paper and I sat down neatly across from her. I looked at all the underlined names, most of them I didn't recognize. Then I saw Sam Oliver's name on the list. It was not underlined. I creased my eyebrows together.

"Why isn't Sam Oliver underlined?" I asked running a finger along his name.

"He's your neighbor Allison, it would be odd to marry him."

"Mr. Oliver is the nicest. most respectful man I have ever met. He is would make a great husband even if he was my neighbor." I argued, "and since you didn't choose him, I will."

My mom thought for a moment, "He doesn't have as much money as some of the others, but you do have a point. He would love and cherish you."

"Thank goodness, finally you speak of love and not money." I pleaded.