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The Garners' house was decked with dancing Christmas lights from one
end of the house to the other. An outdoor Christmas tree festooned with yet more
lights, stood grandly in the front yard. A plastic snowman with his painted eyes
looking upward as if welcoming the nonexistent snowfall, greeted the guests as they
entered the fashionable adobe house.
Inside, it was a catered affair. Waiters dressed in black vests mingled through the
crowd, balancing trays crowded with fancy crystal glasses. A photographer was busily
snapping pictures; the photos would be printed into a small album that would be later
sent to all the guests as a way of remembering the occasion. In the large dining
room, the party coordinator was making the last alterations to the elaborate centerpiece.
The stair banister was wound with an evergreen bough, accented with gold pine cones,
bright red holly berries, and a long, white satin ribbon. The gas fireplace log was
lit, giving the room a wintery feel that was decidedly lacking outside. Besides the
cool weather that required a coat, it was difficult for Charlie to tell if it were
really winter or not.
In the living room, Shirley was entertaining their guests with festive small talk.
Thomas, looking dressy in his tuxedo, was at the other end of the room, debating
with one of the guests as to the best way to dovetail a dresser drawer he was working
on. Chad was sitting on the stairs with Becky, Sandra Weston's eight year old sister.
They shared a plate of goodies between them while Chad described to his blind guest
the party below. Mike and Sandra, who were officially a couple, could now be seen
together in public. Adam had brought Constance as his date, and both seemed to be
having a good time. Vera and Mrs. Jacobs mixed into the crowd, easily conversing
with the others.
Charlie tried to look like she was enjoying herself, but she didn't recognize anyone,
except a few of the Garners' friends she remembered seeing at Mike's birthday party.
Charlie smoothed out the elegant black formal she had bought for the occasion. It
was the first major purchase she had made with her own money. It gave her a feeling
of independence-- something which she hadn't had in the recent months.
Then a familiar face appeared from the crowd. It was Kendra Hanna, the younger of
the Hanna twins.
"I didn't know you were coming!" greeted Charlie.
"Quite a party, isn't it?" observed Kendra, holding an eggnog in her right
hand. "Mrs. Garner gives the most formal parties in Twin Yucca," she groaned.
"Boring, huh?"
"A little," smiled Charlie.
"You're looking good," remarked Kendra. "You certainly didn't get
that dress from charity." It was common knowledge that most of Charlie's clothes
were hand-me-downs from Mrs. Jacobs' sister in Topeka, who had organized a clothing
drive for the needy. Charlie smiled politely. "I've already asked Mom for permission
to leave this party early and hang out with a few other kids. Want to come?"
"I have to call Dad first," said Charlie.
"Sure," replied Kendra. "Charlie, look, there's Scottie Zimmerman.
Isn't he cute? If he were to ask me to marry him today, I'd say 'yes'!"
"You're only fifteen," laughed Charlie.
"A girl's got to plan ahead," replied Kendra. "Oh! He's coming this
way! Is my hair all right?"
"Are you ready to get out of here?" asked Scottie, addressing Kendra. "Jenna
and Sara are already waiting outside."
"Scottie, you remember Charlie from school, don't you?" asked Kendra.
"Oh yeah, the quiet girl," recalled Scottie. "You're welcome to come,
too. We're not going to do anything special-- just hang out."
"Let me go make a quick call, first," said Charlie. She reappeared a minute
later, with her father's consent.
Charlie could see her breath as they stepped out into the cold evening air.
"I hope it snows," Jenna was saying to Sara, as the three teens joined
them.
"Does it ever?" asked Charlie, surprised.
"Last year it snowed for three whole hours," laughed Scottie.
"Charlie, guess what?" asked Kendra, suddenly remembering that she had
big news to tell. "You couldn't possibly guess!" |
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