Spring 7
My cousin and I stood straight and tall in front of our grandfather, wishing to make a good impression on him, knowing that today was the day of his choosing for the next head of the business after Max retired! My dress was starting to bother me, but I had to toughen up! If Leann can wear something like this, I can too!
Normally, the next head would be the oldest son, however since Leann and I were both daughters, we had to go through a test. I couldn't understand why Leann and I had to take over when it could wait until one of us had a son. But it had something to do with time management? I also didn't understand why we had to go through a test; if the oldest son could take over, why not the oldest daughter? Which was me, by the way!
Actually, now that I think about it, a test would be beneficial since I didn't want to take over.
Our grandfather looked each of us in the eye. I felt my heart racing. Even though I didn't want to take over, I wanted to know at least enough about the business to impress my grandfather, he seemed to favor Leann over me. Then again, everyone favored Leann over me. She was just so beautiful, smart, and all around perfect!
He cleared his throat as I snapped back to reality.
"First question! What date did our family business begin?" My heart fluttered. I knew the answer! I actually knew the answer!
"1793." I replied proudly, as my grandfather blinked and responded with a twitter in his voice.
"Eh, that was the year, but I need to know the date as well..."
That's when Leann burst out;
"Winter tenth, 1793."
"Coooooorrect!" he responded as a hint of jealousy drove over me. How could I have forgotten it started on grandfather's birthday? I even made myself a mental note on it!
Such dumb rotten luck for me. I didn't get very many questions right, in fact I was silent throughout the whole trial! So much for impressing grandfather. I know my mother never told me very much about the estate...but that didn't really bother me! Like I said, I didn't want to run the stupid business anyway!
I pulled my dress off, changing into more comfortable clothes and flopping on my bed. Maybe I could focus on what I wanted to do while co-running the estate! Or maybe, I didn't even have to co-run the business! That sounded like an even better plan!
A knock on my door erupted as my mother walked in, sophisticated and proper like always. I've always wondered why she married my father, a simple, middle class farmer. I remembered my father telling me that mom had fallen head over heels for him the day he moved into Alvarna; he also said the whole story was a bit dramatic, but they never really told me the whole story.
"Clara," my mother began with comfort in her voice as I looked into her eyes.
"I know you're upset about not being head of the..."
"Oh no, mom! I'm not mad! Actually, I'm really pleased! It gives me an opportunity to do what I want to do!" I interrupted her as my mother smiled.
"That's good. Remember Clara, if you ever get stressed out because something you wanted didn't happen or visa versa you can always talk to me or your father."
I nodded and watched my mother turn her back, her long cyan hair bouncing with every step she took. I don't think I'll ever be as stressed as she is.