the Dinner Guest

As I walked home from school, I couldn’t help but smile from excitement. Today was finally the day that I’ve been waiting for all month. My parents have a special guest coming over tonight. My father, a well to-do respected member of our town always invites a new person for dinner at the end of every month. This month is significant for me as I am finally allowed to help out with the dinner preparations, because I have just turned thirteen.

The people from the small town where I live have always looked up to our family. My great, great, great grandfather helped establish this town. He, along with members of my family has always given back to our town. One of the charitable things that we have always done is a raffle. The winner of the raffle gets to have dinner at my home where a business prospect is discussed. The guests are given an opportunity to make money for their family. This is a great deal for members of my community, because my town is small and isolated. The only job opportunities are in town and even then, they are very low wage.

As I reached the porch of my house, I saw my parents pull into the driveway. They had just gotten home from the grocery store. I happily run towards their car to help them with the grocery bags. Once we were in the kitchen, my mom and I begin to prepare dinner while my dad sets the table. My mouth watered as we cooked. The smell of creamy mushroom gravy and roasted potatoes wafted through the house. But they weren’t as enticing as the smell of the peach cobbler pie that my mom had put in the oven earlier. Once I finished helping my mom cook, I ran upstairs to get ready.

I wash up and put on my favorite blue satin dress. Once I have my dress on, I tie my hair up in a ponytail with a red ribbon. My mom says it is important to keep my hair out of the way so it doesn’t interfere with dinner. As I walk downstairs, I could hear my father talking with another man. Our special guest has arrived. I walk into the living room and introduce myself. After my introduction, my dad tells the man about the business opportunity. He tells the man that if he agrees, his family will receive ten thousand dollars for his service. As always, like all past dinner guests, the man agrees to the terms. My father smiles and turns toward me handing me a small wooden box. I open the box and grab the small glistening knife. I look at my parents who smile and nod at me. I take the knife in my right hand slash the man’s throat ear to ear. Now that the man was dead, the main course can be prepared.