vivian 12

I hurried through my chores, avoiding everyone. They couldn’t find out yet. It had to be a surprise. I was half way through mucking out Ella’s stall when I heard Delanie’s voice behind me asking, “how was the big date?” I dropped the pitchfork spun around and tucked my hands behind my back. “great!” I say with a smile and step back, right on the pitchfork, which flings up and smacks me in the back of the head. “OW!” I cry my left hand flying to my head. Then Delanie saw it. “Ohmigosh, is that…” she starts loudly. I bound at her and cover her mouth. “SHHHH. Nobody knows yet.” I hiss. She nods and I let her go. “Your secrets safe with me Vivi.” She whispers, starting to walk away. I follow her. “Do not tell a soul!” I call after her. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn around slowly. “Tell what?” my father asks.

 

            Me, mom, and Dad gather in the family room, their eyes planted on me. “it’s nothing bad.” I say smiling at their worried stares. They look skeptical. “In fact it’s GOOD news.” I say and then sigh, seeing no change in their expression. I hold out my left hand, which I’ve been hiding. “I’m engaged, that’s my big secret.” I mutter. Then mom explodes with happy squeals, grabbing my hand and scanning the ring. “Oh it’s beautiful!” she cries and pulls me into a hug. “My baby’s getting married!” she cries then turns to dad. “Can you believe it Hank?” she asks. He shakes his head slowly a smile forming on his face. “No I can’t but I’m happy.” He says and I smile tearfully. “You are?” I ask. He nods. “Of course, my baby girl is happy and with a man I approve of.  Of course I’m happy. I was just afraid you were pregnant or something.” He explains. I roll my eyes. “Dad I’m abstinent and you know it. I took a pledge when I was sixteen.” I say impatiently. “I know I know, let’s just forget I said anything” He says waving his hand. I laugh. “This calls for a celebratory breakfast!” Mom says and hurries into the kitchen I laugh and follow her.

 

            I stand outside of Temperance’s Barn wringing my hands. This was big, how do you break news like this? before I lost all courage I hurry into the barn and run straight into Temp, who has her saddle in her arms and is headed out the barn. “Oof! Temp, where are you going with your saddle?” I ask confused, forgetting slightly why I’m here. She sighs and sits the saddle down. “Viv, I have something to tell you…” she starts. “Oh so do I!” I say remembering my purpose there. “you go first.” She says. I shake my head. “No you say what you were going to.” I reply. She frowns. “on the count of three. Say it.” She says and counts off “One..two..three!” I thro out my left hand and shout “I’m engaged!” my hand collides with hers and I hear a metal hitting together. I look down at our hands and see her hand has a ring on it too. “Wait what…?” I asked confused. “I’m getting married too.” She says sheepishly. I shriek jump up and down and then hug her hard. “Congratulations! When did he ask!” I exclaim. She hugs me back. “In Saratoga. I push her away. “what?” I screech. She looks down. “why didn’t you tell me, that was like three weeks ago. I injured my self waiting eight hours!” I exclaim angrily, and smack her on the shoulder. “I’m sorry Viv, I just had to time it right.” She says. I frown angrily until something hits me. “Temp… were going to be sisters.”  Says slowly. She smiles and nods. “yeah we are.” She says. I laugh and hug her. My question is burning in my throat. “Temp will you be my maid of honor?!” I exclaim excitedly. “If you’ll be mine.” She says back. my eyes widen. “But what about your sisters?” I ask in disbelief, she shrugs. “Like you said, you’ll be my sister too.” She says simply I laugh. “then yes, definitely yes!” I say and hug her for the fifth time. She laughs and hugs me back. “we’ve got a deal.” She says.