Maurice didn't visit Holly
as often as he would have liked. At fall equinox, he had managed to spend three
hours in the library, talking with her, and then he went to a movie with her, Meggie,
Diane and Troy. Ever since then, Holly hadn't been as happy in her dreams. It hurt
her that she couldn't remember him during the day.
Sometimes he thought about
going away, leaving her dreams alone from now on, but he admitted he was too selfish
to make that kind of sacrifice. He had no idea how much longer he could go on, showing
up at equinox and solstice and Christmas Eve, tormenting himself with the hope that
this time, when he looked into her eyes and she could see him, she would remember
him from her dreams.
"Maurice." Angela
stepped up behind the counter and lightly brushed a fingertip along the top of his
folded wings.
"Huh? Oh." Maurice
blushed, despite knowing only a few people could see him, sitting and moping on
the bent leg of the dragon stand that held the Wishing Ball. "Sorry. Wishing
time already?" He leaped up into the air and gained enough altitude for a good
view as the members of the decorating party took their turns picking up an ornament
and making their wishes.
When Jo stepped up to
take her ornament, Ken offered her a slightly larger ball, crystal and gold instead
of the dark, metallic rainbow swirls. Maurice saw the ball's seam and hinge. He
turned a triple somersault in mid-air. Something was inside the ornament.
"It's about time,
you big goof!" he crowed, and earned some soft laughter from Diane, Troy, and
Lanie, who were close enough to hear him.
"You're breaking
tradition," Jo said, laughing, as she took the ornament from Ken.
"This is a new tradition." He bent to kiss her softly and quickly on the lips. "Just open it, okay?"
Jo blushed and opened the ornament. A diamond ring nestled among glittery silver and white cotton. Pale, her eyes went wide. She dropped the ornament and ring, but Ken caught them. He was on one knee in front of her.
No comments:
Post a Comment