Book Opener

The Opening SceneStarting in this chapter, you will meet Robin Johnson,22; her fiancé, Patrick Regan, 23; her sister, Tatiana,15; and her brother, Dane, 17. Robin is arguing withher sister in the living room of the family’s home.Marriage PlansTATIANA: I don’t care what you say, Robin! You don’tknow what you’re talking about. I’m going tomarry Alan, even if he is 24 and I’m only 15. Youknow I’m very mature for my age! I don’t want tojust move in together—I really want to get married.ROBIN: You are way too young to get married. Howdo you know that you’ll even like this guy five yearsfrom now? You are mature for your age, but peoplechange a lot in their late teens and early twenties.Plus, I don’t understand why Alan can’t find someonehis own age. He’s really strange. I guess Ishouldn’t worry too much, though. You can’t getmarried without Mom and Dad’s permission,anyway. There’s no way they’re going to go alongwith your plans.TATIANA: It doesn’t matter what Mom and Dad say.Alan said we could elope! I would be willing toelope if we had to! It’s pretty romantic!ROBIN: Tatiana, listen to me. Teenage marriages don’tsucceed very often. Wait until you’re older. Finishhigh school and get more education, like Patrickand I are doing. Look at Pauline and Mark. They’rewaiting until they finish college to get married.That’s a smart plan.TATIANA: Yes, I know they’re waiting, but Pauline saysthey’ll have to go to another state to get marriedbecause they’re first cousins. They won’t be legallymarried here and can’t even come back to thisstate to live!ROBIN: That doesn’t seem right. If they get legallymarried in another state, then that should makethem married everywhere. (Dane bounds into thehouse, drops his book bag on the floor, and opensthe refrigerator door.)ROBIN: You’re home later than usual. How waspractice, Dane?DANE: (Ignoring the question.) I found out somethinginteresting at school today, Tatiana. Did you knowthat your boyfriend, Alan, lived with a girl for ayear, and now she’s claiming to be his commonlawwife? She says he’s the father of her child, too.I bet Alan didn’t tell you any of that information.Alan is a real loser. I don’t have any idea whyyou like him.ROBIN: Oh, no!TATIANA: (Stunned.) Alan never mentioned anythingabout living with a woman and having a child. I’msure it’s not true. You must be kidding! I know thatAlan wouldn’t lie to me.DANE: No, it’s true. I heard it from someone wholives in Alan’s apartment building. The guy that Italked to said that Alan has been living with thiswoman for the past year. He’s even seen themtake the baby places together. I think it’s time todump Alan.TATIANA: But Alan wants to marry me! I still don’tbelieve you.DANE: He can’t marry you if he’s already married.That’s bigamy! Anyway, you’re too young to getmarried.1. Can a 15-year-old girl marry without her parents’consent?2. Is a marriage between first cousins legal?3. Are first cousins related by affinity?4. What is a common-law marriage and is it legal?5. What is the name and legal effect of having twospouses at one time?Chapter 31: Marriage 673