Chapter 8 8

Mrs. Folsenstrom's voice clearly disagreed: this is not the time to discuss it.Get dressed and get ready in no time. Sibylla sat on the edge of the bed in her underwear, choosing her moments carefully with the utmost determination.They were getting dressed for her father's company Christmas party, the only time of the year that might have a chance to convince her mother.Mother was always in a good mood when she thought of a Christmas party, full of anticipation, and rushing to show everyone their best.After all, in little Hartley, the opportunities for her to fully revel in the grandeur were few and far between.

please!Mommy!I really want to go out and sell Christmas ornaments.Only sold for one day. She tilted her head to one side, pleading.Maybe her mother would pamper her little girl on this merry evening? Mrs. Folsenstrom was leaving the room. Don't forget your black shoes, Sibylla. She swallowed and tried again!No harm! please!mommy Mrs. Folsenstrom stopped, frowning. You've heard me say what I think, Sybylla: My daughter doesn't have to run around begging for money for school trips.If you insist on going on the school trip, your father and I will pay for everything that is needed.It is very wrong for you to make such a fuss over a molehill, and to pick such a night.You should show a little appreciation for everything we've done for you.

Her mother walked out of the room. Sibylla stared at the floor and thought: This is the answer.End of story, she never got a chance.Questioning her mother's decision, which had been brazen from the start, just made things worse.Her mother's good spirits at the party were ruined, and Sibylla was bound to be punished, and she was bound to be scolded over and over again. The sight was grim, as if things weren't bad enough. The Christmas party at the Folsenstrom family's metal foundry is a regular annual event that Sybila has always felt the same way she felt about root canal treatments.The CEO and Mrs. Försenstrom invited all foundry employees, as well as their spouses and children, to show off their kindness this time of year.

Sybylla's presence was a known fact, just as it was a known fact that she would sit at the high table set up for the special guest.The high table stood on a small dais, and of course no other children could sit there.The children had their own dining table, so as to increase the distance between them and Sibylla. The dress spread out on the bed seemed to mock her. It didn't even occur to her that she might show up in that dress, especially since she was twelve years old and all her mates would be wearing jeans and Fruit of the Loom V-neck tops.That didn't matter, because Grandma had gone out of her way to buy the dress for dear Sybylla in Stockholm's most exclusive store.She would put on the dress and sit on the podium next to her parents, overlooking the crowd in front of her.

She pulled the dress over her head and looked at herself in the mirror, seeing the little girl's corset flattening her finally growing breasts.The dress is really tight and it's going to be a horrible night. Her mother called her downstairs: Get those two blue barrettes, and Gombrit will do them for you. An hour later, the barrettes were in place and she was sitting between the business manager and his smelly wife.They asked about school-related matters, and she responded politely, but kept her eyes on the children's table.Her mother's eyes wandered in her direction several times, presumably considering how to punish her daughter for being so difficult.What will she do?

The answer came when dessert arrived.Sibylla, would you like to sing us a song? A black abyss opened wide beneath her chair. Mommy, do you really have to? Take it easy honey.You can sing so many beautiful Christmas carols! The business manager smiled flatteringly: A Christmas carol is a rare treat, and it's just right for the occasion.Can you sing "Shine Bright Star Above"? Got caught and had nowhere to run.She glanced around the high table, but everyone was staring at her.Someone started clapping, and all the tables followed suit.The children all turned their heads to look in her direction and began to boo: Sibylla!Sibylla!Sibylla!Ask her to stand up.

Mrs. Folsenstrom's voice sounded icy cold: We don't need to beg you anymore!Sibylla?Everyone is waiting for you. She stood up slowly and pushed the chair back.The noisy hall fell silent.She took a deep breath and crossed the obstacles in her heart!Someone at the children's table shouted to her: We can't see you, stand on that chair! She stared at her mother, pleading silently, but her mother just waved her hand gently to show that she had no objection.Sybylla's legs were shaking so badly that she was afraid she would fall off the chair.The sneering expressions on the faces of the children couldn't be more clear. This was obviously the most tense moment of the night.She took a deep breath and began to sing with a trembling voice.

Before she finished the first line, she knew that she raised her voice too high, and she couldn't finish the next few notes.And sure enough, she didn't finish the first line, and she gave up because her voice was shaking so badly, and the almost uncontrollable laughter hit her like a whip.Blushing, she sat down.After a few seconds, the business manager started to applaud, and then the others hesitated and followed suit. Her eyes met her mother's, and she felt intense reproach.No one will care about her for now. On the way home, her father was very happy because the evening had been very satisfying.The mother, leaning in her father's arms, nodded with the approval that a wife should express.Sibylla, walking a few paces behind them, had just decided to pick up a really nice stone when her mother turned her head.

You sing very well, don't you? All three present understood the real meaning of what mother said, but Mrs. Folsenstrom couldn't help but add another comment to round out her discipline training session. It's embarrassing that you lost control of your voice at the end. Sybylla didn't pick up the nice stone.