I was home again for a long weekend, but really longing to be back at school. Something about my mother was bothering me, and I couldn't tell what it was. She obviously had something to say to me, and I feared that it had something to do with Richard and me.

I was right, after I had been home for only two days; my mother came into my room. "How is Richard doing?" she asked.

"He's doing fine; he looks as if he is on the road to graduating with top honors. If only he could find a job, then everything would be perfect."

"That sounds wonderful. And what about you, Emily? Are you looking for a job?"

Well, that was unexpected. No one expected me to be the perfect housewife more than my mother did. "A job? Whatever for?"

"Emily, it seems to me that you aren't settling down with anyone soon. After college, what are you going to do with yourself?"

"I'll find something, if necessary. My professor did mention a research position on European history that I could take, or I could get a teacher's degree. But that's not going to happen. I'm not going to have to work."

My mother sat down on the bed. "Emily, working and supporting yourself is the last thing that I want you to have to do. You are not engaged, and you are going to graduate soon."

She was correct, but I hated her bringing this up. As if I couldn't take care of myself. "I still have time, Mother. Is there anything else that you wanted?"

She hesitated. "Well, since you don't seem to be too worried about the state of your relationship with Richard, I think that it's time that our families get together."

I shuddered at the thought of Lorelai Gilmore. "Mother, you can't stand his family, so why have to spend any extra time with them than necessary?"

"It's only polite. Besides, I would really love to be in the room with you any time you have to come in contact with that woman. It might save you from unnecessarily defending me."

I could see her almost smiling, so I rolled my eyes. "I did not defend you."

"Whatever you say, Emily."

"This isn't necessary, Mother. This dinner should occur only if Richard and I get more serious, and discuss long-term plans for the future."

Hope wandered into the room. "I don't see what's wrong with you just going and getting a job, Emily. Why should you have to depend on Richard for money?"

"Because that's the way it should be. I was born to rule society, just as Mother does and just as our grandmother did. You were born for this life, too, Hope."

Hope rolled her eyes. "You are crazy, Emily. I was not born to get married and order around servants. I was born to travel the world and do something meaningful. Maybe I won't get married at all."

I was about to reprimand her when my mother stepped in. "Hope, you will do no such thing. Since you seem to be so fond of the boys at an early age, then you should have no problem marrying by the time you're Emily's age."

"Yes, she will," I cut in. "She won't find a proper husband, not with that attitude."

Hope smirked at me. "At least I won't be starving on the streets. I'll be able to support myself."

"No one would hire you, either."

"Enough, girls. Now, Emily, I'll make that call?"

I closed my eyes. "I really don't think that this will amount to any good."

Hope piped up in the corner. "Good, proper ladies are supposed to listen to their mothers forever."

I ignored her. "Mother, why do you want this so badly? You tried your best to stop me from going to his house in the first place, and now you are inviting them over?"

My mother got that insane look in her eyes again. "You need to establish yourself as his girlfriend. I didn't know if you would last before, but it seems that you are serious. This is what's best for you, Emily."

I sighed. "Fine, make the call if that's what you wish."

My mother bounced out of the room, and Hope looked at me quizzically. "Why did you let her do that? She just wants to go yell at Richard's mother."

I searched for any other reason and then nodded. "That would be entertaining."

"Are you sure you don't want me there? I can yell and scream too."

"Mother won't embarrass herself. She'll just make sure Lorelai Gilmore knows her place. And she was telling the truth. I do need to be established as his girlfriend, if he's not planning on proposing any time soon."

My mother returned ten minutes later. "It's done, they are coming over here next week Hope, you can stay home if you behave yourself. Emily, I know you'll be back at school but I expect you to drive home."

"Yes, Mother."

So I went back to school, thinking that this couldn't end up good. It was completely necessary, but we all had hot tempers. I really hated that woman too. It hurt to hear her criticize my mother, and most of all I hated to hear her criticize me. I love her son, and he loves me, and she doesn't even try to be polite. As if for some reason, she is above such courtesy.

Richard called me one night after dinner. "Emily, whose idea was this dinner?"

"My mother's. I know that it's probably very inconvenient for you to leave Yale, but she would really like to meet your family, even though she's already met your mother."

"Oh, she has? I wasn't aware."

That internal anger sprung up inside me again, the anger I'd only really felt when at that horrible dinner. "Richard, you know very well that she has!"

"Emily, I don't remember every person my mother has ever communicated with, seeing as for most of her life I wasn't born yet."

I sighed. I wasn't ever going to get anywhere with this topic. I just had to balance my priorities. With every man there was some darkness-and his mother was exactly that. I wasn't going to risk losing him for that reason. "Well, Richard, the dinner is on no matter what. I will see you on Saturday. Goodbye, Richard."

On Saturday, I drove home. I was very apprehensive about this, especially because Mother didn't find an insane asylum to take Hope for the night. I couldn't trust her to be on any sort of behavior, especially if she decided that she didn't like the Gilmores. I knew that she loved Richard for some reason, but she wouldn't love his family.

I got home three hours before the Gilmores were due to arrive. My mother was yelling at the maid, something I'd never seen her do.

I walked in. "Hello, Mother. Too bad you don't have the time to fire the maid before tonight."

"Relax, Emily, no one is losing their job here. I just would like everything to be presentable, and it's not at the moment."

I looked my mother up and down. She was very stressed, so I went into the kitchen and made sure that the maid knew exactly what she was supposed to be doing. "Mother, I knew that this dinner wouldn't be good for you."

"Oh, please, Emily, I can handle myself. There are unpleasant aspects of life that one just has to deal with."

"I just don't want to see you hurt. And it is me, isn't it? It's my poor choice of men that has made you feel the way you do."

My mother sat down. "Emily, when Richard came over here, I saw the way you looked at him. You're madly in love with him. That's why you and Samuel didn't get married, and that's why Richard and Pennilyn didn't get married. The two of you are meant for each other."

It was rare that she displayed such emotion. "Well, that's true. Ever since I met Richard, I've become a crazy madwoman."

"Oh, Emily, that's what love is. And you're lucky to have found it. Not everyone gets to marry for love. Our family just has a streak of getting exactly what we want somehow."

I smiled. "Well, then I certainly love this family."

I went upstairs, and got dressed. When I came back downstairs, my whole family was waiting. I went up to my father. "I'm sorry if this dinner is going to bore you."

My father shook his head. "I've heard enough about this family, and I would like to meet them. Victoria, are you alright?"

She had turned pale and she was looking out the window. "They're here."

Even Hope looked scared. "I've never seen her like this; it can't be good."

The maid opened the door, and suddenly my mother was the ever-so-charming hostess. "Hello, hello, please come in."

I watched as the three of them walked in. My mother smiled. "Please, give Sara your coats."

I smiled politely. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore. I hope that your trip was comfortable."

Hope ran forward, giving Richard a hug. "Richard! You look fantastic. You did miss me, right? Seeing as Emily is such a bore that she hasn't even said hi to you yet."

"Hope, it is very nice to see you."

My mother laughed nervously as she ushered everyone into the living room. "Lorelai, what would you like to drink?"

Lorelai Gilmore turned to my mother with an extremely cold look in her eyes. "Is it customary for you to call someone you've just met by their first name?"

I took a deep breath and watched my mother. She walked over to the drink cart. "No, it is not. That would be very rude. But we've met, don't you remember? We did go to Vassar together."

I jumped in hurriedly. "Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore, I don't believe you've met my father or my sister."

My father shook Mr. Gilmore's hand. "Pleasure to meet you; I'm Cole Johansson."

Hope stuck out her hand too. "I'm Hope Johansson."

Lorelai Gilmore eyed Hope with disgust. "I barely have any recollection of meeting you, Victoria. That does not entitle us to be on first-name basis."

Hope rolled her eyes. "You just called her Victoria, so I guess you are on first-name basis."

Oh, Hope. It was a mistake letting you stay. "Richard! I haven't even said hello yet! How was your philosophy test? Let me get you your scotch."

My father called from the cart. "Coming right up, Emily."

Lorelai Gilmore looked astounded. "Well, it looks like you were completely unable to raise any of your children correctly, Victoria. And that is what we must talk about today."

I looked at Richard searchingly. "Richard."

He didn't even look at me. He again, was too much of a coward to stand up for me. And Hope looked like she was about to kill someone. Sadly enough, Lorelai Gilmore was not the first guest to criticize Hope's behavior. This night was going to be long and painful. And Richard's behavior might just change how much I really loved him.