When I look up to see her, I notice her face is a mix of sadness and joy.
“Well, when are you two going to celebrate?” Ma asks, more even-tempered than before, “Can I make your dinner this evening?”
I laugh. Of course Ma would be worried about not being able to make me a celebratory dinner.
“We’re going to his work event tomorrow evening,” I take my results back from her and stuff them into the envelope, “so I will gladly celebrate with the family this evening.”
If the curtains weren’t open, I’m sure Ma would be jumping for joy at this news. But as it was, we had to contain ourselves. No matter how good the news, it is unbecoming for women of our age to giggle as much as we wanted to in this moment.
“I need to go tell your sisters,” her smile threatens to break her face in half. “I’m sure they’re going to be so proud of you.”
Yeah, especially Jem. I can’t wait to see her face.
“Wait for me!” I call as loudly as I can without being heard outside, “I want to see their faces.”
Ma must really be excited. She doesn’t even scold me for wanting to rub my success in Jem’s less-successful face.
My siblings’ reactions did not disappoint as Ma shared the news. Jem is calm and collected as she congratulates me. It’s a little disappointing to not have her react, but I don’t know why I’m surprised - she always has been the best of us at maintaining proper decorum.
The ultimate test of my composure comes when Dad hears the news at dinner.
“So, I hear we are celebrating,” Dad says, sitting down at the dinner table. “If your mother is using her plum centerpiece, it must really be something.”
I smile and keep my eyes firmly on my plate to avoid giving myself away. There is a test of wills around the table as we all struggle to keep it in, trying not to be the one who speaks first.
In the end, it is Elisa who cannot contain the secret, “Maria received her examination results this afternoon and has been placed in the superior pool.” She looks as though she is riding a horse she is bouncing around so much as she speaks.
“Very good, Maria,” his voice is level and emotionless, but his eyes smile proudly. “I’m sure Alexei is thrilled with this news.”
I cough, trying to keep the food and drink from unceremoniously spilling out of my mouth onto the dinner table. I can feel the heat pooling in my cheeks as I try to regain my breath and avoid dying of embarrassment.
“Dad!” I almost shout once I am breathing normally again, “I can’t believe you said that!”
“No one can hear us,” he says with a shrug. “And it happens to be true. I’m sure it will happen any day now.”
This might be the first time ever that I wish my family was as proper in private as we look from the outside. How is one person supposed to handle this much embarrassment?
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