Interrupted by Zondervan

Author:Zondervan [Coker, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-310-72811-5
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2012-10-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

I cannot dance upon my Toes—

No Man instructed me—

But oftentimes, among my mind,

A Glee possesseth me.

— Emily Dickinson

I sat at my vanity and stuck my tongue out at the mirror. I look like a madman.

I pulled my tongue back in and tried to form an honest impression of myself. A pale, fluttery creature stared back at me, clad in airy green chiffon with deep brown waves and cherry lips. She was far too fine to be Allie Everly.

I sighed and stood, grabbing a pair of pumps from the closet. I glanced in the mirror one last time and adjusted my sash. A small smile threatened to escape my mouth.

“Allie!” Beatrice called. “The party started ten minutes ago!”

I pulled on the shoes and shut the bedroom door behind me. Beatrice looked up from across the hall and halted, her chin dropping. She put a hand up to her mouth leaned against the stairwell. “Oh, Allie,” she whispered, “you look lovely.”

I let the smile escape. “Thank you.” I pranced down the stairs. “I suppose we should get going.”

“Russell will like that dress,” Beatrice commented as she opened the car door. “A pretty girl makes a man’s thoughts whirl,” she teased in a sing-song voice.

“I highly doubt he’ll notice it.” The thought lifted my spirits higher. “He’s been a bit preoccupied with Charlie as of late.”

Beatrice raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. “Really?” She seemed to ponder this in silence for a while. “That’s a good match for Charlie,” she decided.

“Mmm-hmm.” I leaned my cheek on the car window and watched the houses whizz by, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

“You know, you really do look stunning, Allie,” Beatrice said, looking over at me. “I truly am proud of you.”

I lowered my eyes. She’s probably just saying that so I won’t sulk and embarrass her. Nevertheless, I felt a wave of pride surge inside me — one I intended to keep private. “Thanks,” I muttered.

Beatrice looked at me intently for a few moments before sighing loudly. She parked the car in front of the Wilkinson’s house and climbed out, while I sat by myself just long enough to make her frustrated before I followed her into the house.

A Billie Holiday song greeted us as we entered, followed by a smiling Debra Wilkinson. “Beatrice and Allie!” She rushed over and enveloped us into her perfumed arms. “I’m so glad you’re here!” She looked around with a creased brow. “And where is Irene?”

Beatrice gracefully extracted herself from Mrs. Wilkinson’s arms. “She returned to Florida for the rest of the summer, until Daniel finishes training. I believe she’ll be home again in October.”

“Isn’t that nice?” Mrs. Wilkinson glanced at me and pinched my arm. “The young people are gathered on the terrace, Allie dear.” She winked and shooed me outside.

Once the adults were out of sight, I shivered. The sight of Mrs. Wilkinson’s overly made-up face so close to mine was burned into my permanent memory.

Charlie’s laughter drifted over the terrace. I caught sight of her blonde curls through the sea of people and made my way toward her.

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