"Get your purse," Mona ordered Alma. "You're taking me shopping."
"But I was just going to grade some papers. Can't Amanda take you?"
"Your sister is busy enough with all the housework and taking care of that husband of hers. Those papers will be waiting for you when you get back. Now get a move on."
Alma gave in with a sigh. There was no changing her mother's mind when she got an idea into her head.
As usual, Mona was in control, telling Alma which way to turn and where to park, but she was being even more vague than usual about where they were going and what they were looking for. Alma noticed that her mother didn't seem very interested in the things she was shopping for. She seemed more interested in what time it was. Alma suspected that Mother was having one of her "bad days."
At precisely 12:30 Mona insisted that they go to The Tavern Restaurant to have lunch. When the waiter asked if they wanted to be seated, Mona ignored him and scanned the restaurant. "Oh, look, there's Dr. Wilton. Let's go sit with him."
"Mother, we can't just go sit with him without being invited. Maybe he doesn't want to be bothered," Alma tried to protest, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.
"Pssh, he won't mind. Let's just go over and say hello. Don't be rude," Mona said sharply as she continued to make her way to the doctor's table and Alma could only follow helplessly behind.
Alma was completely embarrassed as her mother started up a conversation with Dr. Wilton. Fortunately, he was gracious and invited them to join him for lunch.
Alma was quiet during the meal. Edward tried to draw her into the conversation with questions, but Mona was quick to answer for her daughter. Alma was surprised that her mother was actually saying nice things about her, but then she started to catch on. Her mother had known exactly what she was doing from the start and had been planning this set up between her daughter and the doctor all along.
Not only was Alma embarrassed now, but she was furious that her mother would trick her into this. Part of her wanted to storm off, but she forced herself to sit through the rest of the meal which, thankfully, was almost over.
As they were leaving, Mona had to go back to the table for her handbag and Edward took the opportunity to talk with Alma alone.
"This was nice," Edward said. "Maybe we could do this again sometime when your mother isn't around."
Alma was flattered, but nervous and wasn't sure what to say. Since her mother was on her way back to the door, they just said goodbye and went their separate ways.
"Hector's here," Arthur called up the stairs.
Eileen called back from her room, "I'll be there in a minute," and put the finishing touches on her makeup before starting for the door. She had been pleasantly surprised when her father gave her permission to go out with Hector. For the past weeks she hadn't been allowed to go anywhere fun. She started calling her psychic's class a "study group" just so she could go and she had to sneak out at night to go to her part time job. She didn't want to risk trying any more than that.
She hoped this date meant that her father had a change of heart and things would start going back to normal soon.
When she walked into the living room, Hector greeted her with a hug. When Eileen noticed her father and Veronica standing behind Hector, smiling at the couple, she looked back at them curiously. They were both acting strange and she had the feeling that something funny was going on.
Eileen was relieved that Hector didn't seem interested in staying at the house long. Hector was concerned about making their reservation on time, but Eileen was just eager to leave the house.
"Oh, it's so nice to be out," Eileen remarked as she and Hector sat down at their table and the waiter handed them their menus. "How did you talk my dad into it?"
Hector grinned. "It was easy. I just mentioned there was something important I wanted to talk to you about and here we are."
Eileen looked up from her menu curiously. "What's this important thing you have to tell me?"
"Let's talk about it after we eat . . .So I take it life at home hasn't been much fun for you lately?" Hector casually remarked.
Eileen sighed and started to rant about how her father's new strict policies were starting to drive her crazy. By the time she realized that she was monopolizing the conversation and that she wasn't letting herself enjoy her night out, they were finished with the first course. She apologized.
"Don't be sorry. I don't mind at all," Hector replied.
"Anyway, enough about me. Tell me how you've been."
"I've been keeping busy," he replied cryptically and waited as the waiter served the next course before continuing. "I've been making a lot of plans for the future."
"Oh really? Like what?"
Hector went on to talk about work and his professional goals. Eileen listened and nodded at what he said, but he could tell that she was bored with all the business talk. "But I suppose if you wanted to hear about business you could have gone to dinner with your father."
Eileen flashed a teasing grin and said nothing.
Hector leaned closer, looked at Eileen admiringly, and asked, "Do you know what I'm thinking?"
"What?" Eileen asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"I was just wondering when you're going to marry me."
Eileen laughed. Taking the remark as a joke, she played along, "Whenever you want."
"I'm ready anytime. How soon can you put the wedding together?" When Eileen looked confused, he added, "Your dad's already given me his blessing."
Eileen jumped back, "What? Are you serious?"
"Of course," Hector replied. "I know we would be good for each other, Eileen. I think we should get married."
"I don't believe this. How could you talk to my father before you said anything about this to me? I don't even want to get married yet. I'm sorry, Hector."
"Don't get upset. Just think it over," Hector said calmly. "I really think getting married could be the best move for both of us. Think about it, if you were married to me, there would be no more sneaking out of the house and no more "borrowing" money from your dad. You would be a free woman. If things keep going the way they are, someone is bound to catch you sooner or later. So far, I'm the only one who's found about your psychic's class and about the petty cash, right?" he said in a lowered voice. "And if we get married, I promise, no one else will ever find out."
Eileen just stared at Hector speechlessly.
"Just think it over," he said with a wink. "Let me know when you've decided."
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