I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. No wonder their son turned out to be a fool.
The next second, I pretended to finally understand what was happening and burst into tears, trembling in fear.
"You said we were going to eat candied haws! Why did you bring me here instead?"
Willie and his wife stiffened, their eyes darting toward the neighbors’ houses. Probably afraid my crying would alert someone, they quickly crouched down to comfort me.
Rosemary and Sally chimed in with forced smiles. "Good girl, don’t cry. If you marry this brother, you’ll have even tastier things than candied haws!"
I sniffled, tilting my head in pretend confusion. "Really?"
Relieved, they nodded eagerly.
I pointed at Simon, who was still drooling, and asked innocently, "But I’m so young. How can I be his wife?"
They laughed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "All girls grow up to be wives, Lauren. If you stay with him from a young age, you’ll be treated even better in the future!"
"Oh." I pretended to understand and obediently nodded.
They exchanged relieved glances, then turned to Willie and his wife.