84 Ribbons: A Dancer's Journey by Paddy Eger

Author:Paddy Eger [Eger, Paddy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Tendril Press
Published: 2013-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

“Of course.”

“We’re happy you could join us,” Mrs. B. said. “Shorty and James hoped you’d keep your promise to join us.”

“I appreciate being asked. Sorry about last night. I had pick-up duty immediately after the Nutcracker, but the train rumbled in over an hour late.”

Mrs. B. served hot drinks in holiday mugs as gifts were distributed and opened. James and Shorty passed out the latest Christmas Ideal magazines. Marta’s mom handed out hand towels with hand-crocheted edges. Lynne passed out Popular Mechanics magazines to the men, sachets to the women, and a pale green scarf to Marta.

Steve gave the men each a mini-pliers in a leather case. He handed Marta’s mom, Mrs. B., Lynne, and Marta each a gift box of Russell Stover holiday candy, plus a packet of flowered handkerchiefs.

Marta smiled when she saw how he’d come prepared for any eventuality.

At Marta’s turn, she presented the male boarders with a new board game called Clue. For Lynne she had purchased two new pairs of pink tights and attached a note which read, ”I’ll teach you to mend properly.”

She watched Steve unwrap her gift, a dark blue silk tie with a faint diagonal design. “It’s for the ballet.”

Steve replaced his holiday string tie with the gift and kissed Marta’s cheek.

At a lull after the gift exchange, while Mrs. B. refilled mugs, Steve reached for Marta’s hand. “Come outside? For a minute?”

Marta grabbed her coat and followed him onto the icy porch. He sat in the swing and patted the space beside him. “I have a special present for you, but I didn’t want to give it to you with everyone watching.” He handed her a small box wrapped in silver paper with a glittery silver bow. “I planned to give this to you last night, but…open it.”

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