“Mamá. I have spent my entire life doing what is right. I went to church every Sunday, I worked in the fields, I got straight A's in school, I went to college and commuted home to save on bills and preserve my reputation, and I even raised enough money to buy the farm so I could take care of the family. But now, I want some freedom because I've earned it. I don't want to be courted and married to some man I don't even know if I'm compatible with. I don't even know if I want to get married. Ever. It's fine if Blanca feels comfortable preserving this tradition--- but I don't. Not even if it makes you happy."
Mamá's eyes bugged, and she yelled at her eldest daughter. "You will not disrespect me in my house!"
Carolina laughed. "Well, it's my house, actually. But that's fine. I don't need it."
Blanca's jaw dropped. "Cari! Stop."
"No. I should've done this years ago." Carolina turned and walked toward the living room.
"Carolina! Get back here at once!" her mom called out, but she didn't respond.
Enrique was sitting at the dining room table, wringing his hands, his forehead wrinkled, his fists clenched.
Her father had him cornered. "So, Enrique, do you see yourself married in the next year?"
Being interrogated by Papá was something Carolina wouldn't wish on her worst enemy.
"Enrique, let's go."
Enrique's brows raised as he stood. "Where?"
Carolina looked at her father, then back to Enrique, then back to her father. She had created this fake relationship as a ruse to keep her family happy. What she was about to do would instead possibly tear them apart--- but it had to be done. Enrique had made her want things she hadn't really wanted with another man before.
There was no going back. The time was now.
"Out on a real date.”