Mrs. Cox’s habit of dunking on her daughter kicked in automatically. “Please, you’re just an accountant. What’s all of that ‘energy’ going to change? On that note, how’s bookkeeping supposed to get in your way of a good relationship, huh? I fail to see your logic, sweetie. You should be grateful that your aunt has the best of your interests at heart! Especially when you know you can trust her wisdom in judging a man. That settles it, then—you’re seeing your suitor tonight! We’ll have dinner together.”
Robin’s face paled. Her mother had completely bypassed her opinion on this matter. This was no discussion; it was an order!
Even if she were a lily-livered pushover, Robin did not want one of the most crucial and significant events in her life to be dictated solely by her family without her say. Hence, she protested. “No, Mom. I happen to have my own plans for tonight. I won’t be having dinner at home, too. Let’s discuss this some other time.”
Mrs. Cox had gotten so used to Robin’s unquestioning obedience that she could not take even the smallest of her dissents well. “What plans? I’ve never heard of this ‘plan’ of yours until now! Robin, it’s Easter. What important business would require you to not eat with us, hmm? And what sort of things could a young lady do outside in the middle of the night, huh? Hedonistic things, I bet! No, you’re not leaving the house tonight, and that’s final. Do you understand me?”
Suddenly, Robin lost all strength in maintaining her phony smile. Her hand, too, slipped out of her aunt’s.
Her aunt caught the changes befalling her niece, so she tried to mediate between the two. “Aww, Robin’s old enough to have her own chums that she wants to hang out with, right? We parents really shouldn’t be so controlling of our youngsters. If she wants to see him some other day, that’s fine. I’ll arrange that, no problem. To be honest, festivals or not, every day’s a good day for a date.”
Mrs. Cox, however, merely stared at Robin before hissing, “We need to talk.”
Robin could read the writings on the wall and know that a fight was coming. She shrugged and followed her mother into her bedroom.
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