Chapter Three

I had the weirdest dream last night. I dreamt that someone came into my room through the window. I even thought I heard the click of the window and the thumb of feet but when I opened my eyes I saw nothing but a shimmer in the air that probably came from the moonlight.

It's a Saturday and I have nothing to do today. So I lounge in my pajama pants and old t-shirt for most of the morning, reading and writing an essay for class. I am working on said essay when my mother comes in.

"Come on, time to get up, Psyche! You can't lounge around all day. Your father has a surprise for you too!"

"What? A surprise? What kind of a surprise?" this can't be good.

"I won't tell you until you come down." I sigh and resign myself for a brief time of oblivion. I shower and dress, straight-leg jeans and a loose t-shirt, and go downstairs.

“So what’s this surprise” I ask sitting next to my father who is wearing a gray suit.

“A colleague of mine has a son around your age, willing to met you. We set a date for dinner for you to at that French restaurant you enjoy, tonight at 6. I want you to dress up for this, it’s important for you to find a man my dear.” I just stare at him my mouth hanging open. I splutter,

“Wha-What?! You can’t be serious! You made an arranged date?! Why would you- No, I know why! You’re scared I won’t ever get married. Well maybe I don’t want to! Maybe I don’t want to worry myself with boys! Maybe I want to focus on my career! Why can’t you just accept that?!”

“Women were not meant to go around ‘having a career’. They were meant to get married and manage a house! You have gone your whole life without a single boy, it’s time for you to start looking!”

“It’s my love life! You need to stay out of it!”

“Why you insolent girl! I will not be spoken to in this manner! You will start looking for a husband or I am throwing you out and cutting you off!”

“Irving! Dear!” My mother rushes to him and holds his arm, “No need to be so hasty! I’m sure we can work out a compromise.  

"No Cali. I am firm in my resolve! She starts looking for a husband or I cut her off!" My mother looks at me sympathetically. I stare at them mouth agape.

"I... I can't believe you! Why would you- fine! I'll start dating. But I refuse to be set up on blind dates. There's... There's a boy. In my class. I'll ask him for a date next Friday. Happy?!" my eyes sting with tears that my father ignores. He nods his consent to my plan and I run back to my room an fling myself on my bed, letting the tears flow.