Maria:
My mother does not knock.
She walks in like the door belongs to her, which, unfortunately, it does. I’m halfway through fixing my hair when she starts speaking, already in motion, already three steps ahead of me.
“I’ve invited the Rothfields for dinner tonight.”
I glance at her through the mirror, still holding my hair in place. “Okay…”
She waves her hand like I’m slow. “Not just dinner. We need to talk about your engagement.”
I pause. Actually pause this time. My hands drop.
“My what?”
She looks at me properly now, like I’ve just said something embarrassing. “Your engagement, Maria.”
I turn to face her fully. “To who?”
She sighs, the kind that suggests she regrets raising me.
“Daniel. Obviously.”
I let out a short laugh before I can stop myself. “That’s funny.”
“I’m se
