could take in the street names below me. I was looking for Loblolly and Magnolia. According to the news article I found on the Society Page, the dance was held at a country club on the outer edges of town.
Before I spotted the club, I could see a line of cars. They wound along the driveway and along the block leading toward the club. It looked more like a movie premiere and less like an engagement celebration. I landed in the grass near the side of the main entrance.
I watched as couples nodded and greeted each other outside of the country club. The dresses the girls wore were stunning. Bright blue, pink, and yellow skirts flounced as the women climbed the steps on the arms of their dates, pausing to have their pictures taken. I didn’t see my grandmother anywhere, so I decided to enter the party in case she had arrived early with Leo.
As soon as I saw a doorman open the door, I scurried inside before the next set of guests could make it through the doors. I followed the crowd to the ballroom. There was a big band playing on the stage. The woman singing reminded me of the musicals my grandmother and I used to watch together with Rosemary Clooney or Debbie Reynolds. It felt like this was something straight out of a classic movie. Eddie Fisher could walk through the door any minute.
I leaned against a pillar, far enough away from the crowd I could see the entire dance floor. The couples swayed and twirled while the band played. Then I spotted honey-blond hair, swept to the side and pinned with blue flowers. The dress was deep blue. I held my breath, waiting for her partner to spin her around so I could see her face. His cheek was pressed against her ear, and he whispered something to her. Her head flew back with laughter as he spun her in the middle of the dance floor.
I clutched my arms to steady my hands, but it did nothing to slow the nervousness welling inside me. My grandmother was dancing right here, only yards away from me, and I couldn’t talk to her. I couldn’t hug her or tell her how beautiful she looked in her blue dress. This Time Spell may have been the hardest of my life. I turned just in time to dodge a man, getting ready to lean into the column next to me. I dropped to the floor and crawled to the other side.
By the time I stood from my crouched position, I lost them. The band stopped playing to introduce Hattie’s father, Mr. Trad, on the stage. Everyone gathered and moved closer. I searched for Leo and my grandmother, but they weren’t on the dance floor with everyone else. I stood on my toes and peered over the bobbing heads. They were gone.
“T HANK YOU so much for making this such a special night for our dear Hattie.” Mr. Trad spoke into the microphone. I searched the perimeter, hoping Gigi and Leo were somewhere in the room. The country club was so enormous that it would take forever to track them.
On the other side of the buffet line, I saw a door close. I was sure it could be a waiter, but it was the only movement in the room. All eyes were on Mr. Trad. I raced to the serving table, checked behind me, and then opened the door as little as possible before slipping through.
The hall was lined with serving trays and carts. I hurried forward, hearing whispers ahead. I tried to run softly, but I was so anxious I would lose them that I was almost in a full heel-to-toe sprint.
“Don’t you think they’ll notice we left the party?”
“Not at all. They’re all too busy congratulating Hattie and Ernest.” The man’s voice paused. “Of course, I would notice the second you were out of my sight.”
I heard a light giggle. It had to be them. If I turned the corner, I should be able to see them, but my hands started shaking again. I wasn’t quite ready to see her so close.
“Leo, you always say things that make me blush.”
“That’s because I love how your cheeks look when they glow.”
I heard her swat him. “You can’t talk about glowing .”
He laughed. “Ok, we’ll talk
Before I spotted the club, I could see a line of cars. They wound along the driveway and along the block leading toward the club. It looked more like a movie premiere and less like an engagement celebration. I landed in the grass near the side of the main entrance.
I watched as couples nodded and greeted each other outside of the country club. The dresses the girls wore were stunning. Bright blue, pink, and yellow skirts flounced as the women climbed the steps on the arms of their dates, pausing to have their pictures taken. I didn’t see my grandmother anywhere, so I decided to enter the party in case she had arrived early with Leo.
As soon as I saw a doorman open the door, I scurried inside before the next set of guests could make it through the doors. I followed the crowd to the ballroom. There was a big band playing on the stage. The woman singing reminded me of the musicals my grandmother and I used to watch together with Rosemary Clooney or Debbie Reynolds. It felt like this was something straight out of a classic movie. Eddie Fisher could walk through the door any minute.
I leaned against a pillar, far enough away from the crowd I could see the entire dance floor. The couples swayed and twirled while the band played. Then I spotted honey-blond hair, swept to the side and pinned with blue flowers. The dress was deep blue. I held my breath, waiting for her partner to spin her around so I could see her face. His cheek was pressed against her ear, and he whispered something to her. Her head flew back with laughter as he spun her in the middle of the dance floor.
I clutched my arms to steady my hands, but it did nothing to slow the nervousness welling inside me. My grandmother was dancing right here, only yards away from me, and I couldn’t talk to her. I couldn’t hug her or tell her how beautiful she looked in her blue dress. This Time Spell may have been the hardest of my life. I turned just in time to dodge a man, getting ready to lean into the column next to me. I dropped to the floor and crawled to the other side.
By the time I stood from my crouched position, I lost them. The band stopped playing to introduce Hattie’s father, Mr. Trad, on the stage. Everyone gathered and moved closer. I searched for Leo and my grandmother, but they weren’t on the dance floor with everyone else. I stood on my toes and peered over the bobbing heads. They were gone.
“T HANK YOU so much for making this such a special night for our dear Hattie.” Mr. Trad spoke into the microphone. I searched the perimeter, hoping Gigi and Leo were somewhere in the room. The country club was so enormous that it would take forever to track them.
On the other side of the buffet line, I saw a door close. I was sure it could be a waiter, but it was the only movement in the room. All eyes were on Mr. Trad. I raced to the serving table, checked behind me, and then opened the door as little as possible before slipping through.
The hall was lined with serving trays and carts. I hurried forward, hearing whispers ahead. I tried to run softly, but I was so anxious I would lose them that I was almost in a full heel-to-toe sprint.
“Don’t you think they’ll notice we left the party?”
“Not at all. They’re all too busy congratulating Hattie and Ernest.” The man’s voice paused. “Of course, I would notice the second you were out of my sight.”
I heard a light giggle. It had to be them. If I turned the corner, I should be able to see them, but my hands started shaking again. I wasn’t quite ready to see her so close.
“Leo, you always say things that make me blush.”
“That’s because I love how your cheeks look when they glow.”
I heard her swat him. “You can’t talk about glowing .”
He laughed. “Ok, we’ll talk
Similar Books
