1 The beginning.

I remember it as though it was yesterday.

Mother, Isabelle, Kayla, Lauren and me, staring outside our house. Father told us that he is bringing a guest home so we had to dress nicely and wait outside for him.

When his car was in view, I let out a sigh of relief. Wearing heels sure was work.

But in the passenger seat was an ancient man. Old enough to be alive during Adam and Eve.

But I was 12 at the time so everyone older than me was old. Take my siblings for example.

Isabelle is 19, Kayla 17 and Lauren 14. Old.

Back to what was happening, when the ancient man got put of the car, which took quite some time, the first thing he did was take a glance at me and my sisters. Then he stopped at me and nodded. Signalling something to father.

'Pheobe,' Father said sternly, 'go upstairs and pack your things'.

'Yes father.'

I was confused and worried but knew better not to ask questions. I went upstairs packed my things, and came back outside, only to see a stranger opening the door for me, he looked around 8 years older than me, more or less.

'Pheobe, enter the car with this young gentleman.' Father ordered from behind me.

'Absolutely not. I am going no where with no one unless you tell me what's happening'. I responded with my head held high, glaring at mother and father.

'Phoebe,' Mother tried to reason with me, 'Don't be stubborn.'

However, I kept on glaring at her.

'If you must know, he's your husband.'

"Shut up." I stared at my so called "husband". 'As if. There is no way in hell I would marry some 20 year old.'

'Pheobe! Where have your manners gone?'

'The same place your respect for me did.' Good one Pheobe. I started victory dancing on the inside.

'Enough.' A loud voice interrupted my amazing in-my-head dancing.

'You are coming with me whether you liked it or not. My father over here,' he pointed to the ancient man, 'picked you to be my wife, so you are my wife.'

What is wrong with old people? He's like me math teacher, always picking on the quiet kid.

'Well Mr. "I-Am-Your-Husband-And-You-Are-My-Wife"', I hoped my voice sounded more confident than I felt, 'I am lesbian'.

It seemed that he had enough of me because he snapped his fingers and five men in suits came up to me and put me in the back of the car.

'WHERE IS THE CONSENT?!' I shouted as they closed the door and locked the car.

Mr. "I-Am-Your-Husband-And-You-Are-My-Wife" started talking to my parents about something inaudible.

When they were finally done, he entered the front seat and looked at me.

'I don't know what's your problem, but you better fix it because this behaviour will not be acceptable at my home.'

'"This behaviour will not be acceptable at my home"', I said in a mocking voice, 'We'll see about that.'

He pretended as though he hadn't heard me and began driving.

I looked through the window at my family and put up the middle finger. The shock on my mother's face was wonderful, so I did it once more before slumping and falling asleep.

To this day. I'm still proud of myself. Although life isn't as easy as it was 10 years ago.