Disengaged

Madness and Mayhem Day 21. I was given the 1st line but left on my own with the rest.

“Why are there so many of them?!” I screamed under my breath, so only Nick could hear me.  

“I told you I have a big family,” he replied, chuckling.

”Not this big!” There were at least 40 people in the room.  Forty people is a township, not a meet-the-girlfriend gathering.  “Are you trying to scare me away?”

”No, of course not,” he smiled that smile that makes me forget I have principles, but tonight it might not have been enough to stop me from leaving.

His mom blocking the doorway like a hockey player is what stopped me.

“You must be Mary,” she said, giving me a bear hug.  “I looked at Nick, hoping he would correct her.  He was gone.  “Actually, it’s Perri,” I said. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dickson.”  

“I like Mary better; Perri sounds like one of those they/them names,” she said.  “It is,” I replied.

”Call 911!” Someone yelled.  I was pushed aside as at least 38 people went to Mrs. Dickson’s aid.  

“Why did you try to kill my mom?” Nick asked, magically appearing again when I no longer needed him.  “I didn’t,… look, she’s fine - she is sitting up already.  She just fainted, probably because there’s not enough oxygen in this room, what with so many people and all.”

Mrs. Dickson pointed a finger at me.  “What a way to make an impression on your future mother-in-law!” 

I looked at Nick helplessly.  We weren’t engaged and hadn’t even talked about marriage.  

He dropped to one knee with a sheepish look on his face and said, “I thought it would be more efficient if we had the engagement and the engagement party at the same time.”
He held out a robin’s egg blue box and opened it with flair.

”It’s beautiful,” I began, “but where are my family and our friends if this is our engagement party?”  

“When you marry into the Dicksons, you only need Dicksons.  Welcome to the family!”

Everyone burst into cheers and champagne corks went flying.
I gently closed the box and walked out.