Allison O'Brian on Her Own, Volume 2
Page 33
Now Allison was crying, too. She turned to face Shirley and was surprised to see her actually smiling through her tears now. Shirley hugged Allison.
“Thank you so much, Allison. I feel different already. Do you think that’s possible?”
Allison nodded. “I know it is.”
“It’s amazing,” said Shirley as she stood. “I feel like I’ve been given a brand-new start.”
“You have.”
Shirley’s eyes grew wide. “But what if I blow it?”
“You will.”
Shirley frowned. “I will?”
“Of course. We all do. But then we have to tell God we’re sorry and ask Him to forgive us again—and again and again.”
“Oh.”
“Not only that,” continued Allison as she stood, “but we have to forgive others, too. The Bible says to be forgiven we must forgive. See, that’s why it was important for me to forgive you.”
“Oh. Is there a whole lot that I need to know?”
“Not really. But you’ll want to start reading the Bible and praying every day. And it helps to go to church.”
“I go to church sometimes.”
“But now when you go, you’ll have to listen, too.”
“How did you know I wasn’t listening?”
Allison laughed. “Just a lucky guess. Now, could you help me get this dress off?” She waited while Shirley unfastened the back, then lifted it carefully over her head.
“This is absolutely beautiful, Allison. Is it for your dad’s wedding?”
“No. It was my mom’s. I’m wearing it to the Christmas dance.”
Shirley’s face fell. “You’re going to the dance?”
Allison nodded, then pulled her sweater over her head. “Does that make you hate me, Shirley?”
Shirley frowned slightly, then shook her head. “Not exactly. Who are you going with? Howie, I suppose.”
“Nope. I’m going with Andrew.”
“Andrew?”
“Sure. We’re good friends, you know. We just want to have fun.”
“Oh.” Shirley fingered the dark green taffeta as Allison hung it on a hanger. “Did your mother actually wear this gown, Allison?”
“I think so. Probably a few years ago.”
Shirley pinched her own arm, then laughed. “I was just checking to see if this is real. Here I am in Allison O’Brian’s room, and we’re having a real conversation, and I don’t feel like I want to kill you.”
“Did you really want to kill me?”
“Sometimes. Like I said, you just seemed to have everything I wanted.”
“Maybe all you wanted was to know that God loves you.”
Shirley smiled. “Maybe that was it.”
The next day, Allison told Andrew and Heather all about Shirley’s amazing conversion as they rode to school.
“It’s incredible, Allison,” said Andrew when she finally finished.
“It’s wonderful,” breathed Heather. “I can’t wait to talk to her and tell her how happy I am for her.”
“I know it happened, and I believe Shirley was sincere . . .” Allison paused. “But after all we’ve been through, I still find myself having doubts. I almost expect to get to school and have her laugh right in my face about the fast one she pulled on me last night.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” teased Heather.
“I don’t know,” said Andrew skeptically. “I can understand how Allison feels. You probably don’t know Shirley as well as we do, Heather.”
“You two!” Heather scolded. “Well, there’s no point in arguing. Time will tell.”
To Allison’s delighted surprise, Shirley did seem like a changed person. She was quieter than usual and actually polite. She seemed to be genuinely trying. At lunch she sat with Allison, Heather, and Caroline.
“I hear you’re going to the dance, Caroline,” said Shirley.
“Yes,” said Caroline carefully, as if waiting for the barb that might be attached.
“I wish I were going,” sighed Shirley.
“Maybe you’ll go next year,” suggested Heather hopefully. “I’m not going, either, but I don’t mind.”
“Yes, I suppose there will be lots more dances.” Shirley turned back to Caroline. “What’s your dress like, Caroline? I saw Allison’s last night and it was gorgeous.”
Caroline blinked and adjusted her glasses. “My dress? Uh, it’s gold.”
“Gold like our school color, or like the metal?” asked Shirley with real interest.
“Actually, it’s like the metal, and it sort of shimmers.” Caroline’s eyes lit up as she continued to describe it. “The style is kind of sophisticated. I couldn’t believe my mom really let me get it. It has a fitted bodice, and the skirt’s sort of smooth and then flares out at the bottom. It has padded shoulders with short sleeves, and the neck comes down in a V.”
“That sounds nice,” said Shirley. “I wish I could see it.”
“I’ll bring a photograph if you like,” offered the stunned Caroline.
“That’d be swell.”
“Hey, wait up,” Shirley called to Allison as they headed for the journalism room after school.
Allison stopped and waited. “How’s it going, Shirley?”
Shirley smiled. “Pretty good. It’s really weird, Allison. Everyone is being so nice to me. Did you tell them to do it?”
Allison laughed. “No. It’s probably just that you are being nice to them for a change.”
“Well, I like it,” said Shirley. “I just hope I don’t blow it. Sometimes I start to say something mean and I try to catch myself. You know, it’s not that easy being good.”
“I know,” agreed Allison. “But it has its rewards. I wonder what we’ll do on the paper this afternoon, since we don’t have school for two weeks.”
“Yeah, I was wondering, too.” Shirley opened the door and actually let Allison walk in ahead of her. When they got inside, they saw a plateful of Christmas cookies and a punch bowl. Howie, Beverly, and Andrew were already there.
“Greetings,” said Howie. “I thought I would reward my fine newspaper staff with a little Christmas party.”
“Thanks, Howie,” said Allison as he handed her a cup of punch. “This is great.”
They all chatted congenially. It was fun to see Shirley actually participate in the conversation without taking over or offending anyone. Allison could see that Howie and Beverly were noticing it, too.
“Great story today, Allison,” said Howie. “Did you see the Port View Herald yet?” He ran over to his desk and grabbed a copy, then held it for all to see. There on the front page was a photo of Allison and the headline “Local Girl Uncovers Thieves’ Hideout.”
“This is great,” said Andrew as he patted her on the back. “And there’s your story on the side, Allison. How does it feel to be so famous?”
“Oh, I’m not famous. . . .” But Allison smiled as she read the first few lines. “Although, it is fun to see this in the paper. That was a grueling night. It’s nice that some good came out of it.”
“You must’ve been so scared,” said Beverly as she read over Allison’s shoulder.
“I was there, too,” said Shirley suddenly.
Everyone turned and looked at Shirley. Allison bit her lip. How was Shirley going to explain that?
“You were?” said Beverly in disbelief.
“Yes. I went out there with Allison.”
“Well, why doesn’t Allison mention you in her story, then?”
The way Beverly spoke had an accusatory tone. Allison hoped that Shirley wouldn’t get mad and say something stupid. She had been doing so well up until now.
“Because I left her out on the island,” confessed Shirley quietly, her eyes on the paper cup in her hands.
Now everyone was staring at Shirley.
“You what?” exclaimed Beverly.
Shirley nodded and looked down at the paper again. “I know it was wrong. And I’ve apologized to Allison. . . .”
Andrew grinned and held up a cup of punch. “Here’s to good endings.”
Everyone else lifted their cups. “And here’s to a great newspaper team,” said Howie. “A big thanks and merry Christmas to you all.”
On the night of the Christmas dance, Allison began to feel nervous. She suddenly wished that Heather was going, too. She remembered what fun it had been getting ready for the Harvest Ball and how Grace had helped them with their hair. Allison had tried to fix her hair the way Grace had, but she wasn’t too pleased with the results. She wished Muriel were around to help, but she and George had gone to see a movie. It would be nice when Dad and Grace were finally married. Allison was looking forward to having a stepmom around. She studied her reflection in the mirror as she fastened Grandmother Mercury’s pearls around her neck. The dark green taffeta dress seemed to bring out the green in her eyes. It was an exquisite gown, possibly something that Marsha had salvaged from a movie set. The long-waisted bodice was perfectly fitted, with hundreds of tiny tucks running down to a very full skirt. A delicate ruffle framed the scooped neckline, and the sleeves were puffy and trimmed with ruffles, as well.
“Are you ready?” James called from the hallway. “I’d like to get some pictures before Andrew gets here.”
“Sure, come on in, Dad.”
James whistled. “I don’t know, Allison,” he said in a worried voice. “I’m not sure I should let you go out looking so glamorous and sophisticated. Don’t you go off forgetting that you’re still my little girl.”
She turned and smiled at him. “Don’t worry. If anything, I feel like I’m a five-year-old playing dress-up.”
He began to adjust his camera lens. “Hold that happy look for a second.” He snapped a few pictures. “Now let’s get one of you coming down the stairs.” He went on ahead of her, taking pictures as she walked slowly and gracefully down the steps, pretending that she was a Southern belle on her way to the ball.
“Wow!” said Andrew. And they both turned to see him standing at the foot of the stairs holding a small white corsage. “Sorry to bust in on you, but when I knocked and no one answered, I just let myself in. Hope it’s okay.”
“Perfectly fine,” called James. “Just let me get one more shot. Then one of the two of you.” He posed them at the foot of the stairs and took several more photos.
“I thought you said just one more,” teased Allison.
“Okay, okay,” he surrendered. “You can go now.” He handed Andrew the keys to the Buick. “I’ll spare you my speech tonight, Andrew. You know how I feel.”
Andrew saluted and grinned. “Yes, sir. Have her home by midnight, sir.”
They picked up Howie and Beverly, and the four of them laughed and joked all the way to the dance. They sat with Karen and the rest that had been at the Harvest Ball. Only this time Caroline and Tommy were at their table, too. Caroline had never looked so gorgeous in her life. Everyone commented on it.
“Allison,” said Janet as she stood, “stand up and let me get a closer look at that gown. It’s beautiful.”
Allison stood and gave a little turn for her to see. “Thanks, it’s from my mom.”
Janet reached out and touched the fabric as if touching the pope’s ring. “I thought I recognized it.”
Allison looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t you know this is exactly like the gown Marsha Madison wore in Southern Belle?”
Karen jumped up and looked more closely at the dress. “I think you’re right, Janet. Remember that scene where she is coming down that beautiful staircase—”
“Right,” exclaimed Janet. Now all the girls at the table were gathered around Allison reminiscing over a film that Allison had never seen. In the old days Allison might have been irritated, but tonight she just laughed.
“Why, I feel like such an ignorant little fool,” said Allison in a pretty good Southern drawl.
The girls looked at her in surprise, then Beverly asked, “Why is that?”
“Oh, fiddle-dee-dee,” drawled Allison, “I just never had the pleasure of seeing that little ol’ film y’all are talking about. But I’m just certain y’all are right about my mama wearing this little ol’ dress in that movie. Why, it just seems like I’m always traipsing around in Mama’s hand-me-down gowns.”
By now all the girls were laughing hysterically.
“Oh, Allison,” gasped Karen. “You should go out for drama this spring.”
The boys returned, and soon all the couples were out on the dance floor.
“I saw you making all the girls laugh,” said Andrew as they danced. “What was that all about?”
Allison grinned. “I was just giving them my rendition of Southern Belle—apparently it’s a movie that Marsha made wearing this very dress, but I never saw it.”
Andrew chuckled. “That must’ve been quite entertaining.”
“Now Janet and Karen think I should go out for drama.”
“And why not? You’d be great.”
“You really think so?”
“Sure. I think you’re great at everything you do, Allison.”
“Even for a kid?” she asked.
“Especially for a kid.”
Allison didn’t say anything. She still didn’t like Andrew thinking of her as a kid, but his friendship was too important to worry about something like that.
“If it makes you feel any better, Allison,” said Andrew, “I think of myself as a kid, too.”
“You do?” said Allison as she looked up into his eyes.
He nodded. “Yep.”
The week before Christmas, Allison and her father flew to Portland to go Christmas shopping. Allison was happy to use her own money—some of it was from Marsha and some of it was from selling her stories to the Port View Herald. But it made her feel grown-up not to need to ask her dad for any help. She remembered a year ago when Stanley had taken her Christmas shopping for Marsha on Fifth Avenue in New York City. He had treated her as if she were a child, practically holding her hand while crossing the street. He had let her pick out some things for Marsha, then paid for them himself. It was all done quickly and efficiently and not with much fun. It hadn’t been much of a Christmas, either. Stanley and Marsha had gone to a big party on Christmas Eve and then slept in very late on Christmas morning. So much had changed since then. All for the better, as far as she was concerned.
Allison had already sent Marsha a Christmas gift—something she had made herself last summer before Grandpa died. She had taken a small wooden box and glued sea shells she had collected along the beach all over it. She didn’t know if Marsha would like it or not, but she wanted to give it to her just the same. Inside the box she had placed a short poem she had written. She hoped Marsha had gotten it before her trip to Brazil.
Allison had made a few other gifts at home, too, like the ink drawing for her dad and a knitted scarf for Andrew, but she wanted to buy some things, as well. By noon she had found something for everyone on her list except for her father. She had gotten a red sweater set for Grace, an ant farm kit for Winston, a Braille book and a Doris Day record for Heather, pigskin gloves for Muriel, and a new pair of pruning sheers for George. After lunch she told her dad she wanted to go into a shop across the street by herself and she would meet him outside in about twenty minutes. The Curio Shop had all sorts of weird things in the window and had caught her eye while they were eating. Surely she could find something for him in there. After a long hunt she finally found it. It was a small brass statue of a lighthouse, with a compass set into the base. It looked like something that might have gone in a boat, but she thought it would make a handsome paperweight on his desk.
Christmas was all that Allison had hoped for and more. In the few days before Christmas, Allison joined Muriel in the kitchen making cookies and fruit cake and all sorts of wonder
ful things that, until now, Allison had only seen after they were already made and beautifully arranged on trays. Now she got to learn how to make them herself.
“I haven’t had so much fun in years,” said Muriel. “Christmas just feels more jolly when there are lots of loved ones around to share it. This old house is going to be in its prime with all you kids living here.”
“It might mean more work for you, Muriel,” said Allison. “But we’ll all pitch in and help.”
“Don’t you worry about old Muriel,” she laughed. “I like to stay busy, and I’m not afraid to ask for a hand when I need it.”
On Christmas Eve they all went to a candlelight service. Allison was pleased to see all three Jensons present, along with Shirley’s grandmother, Bea. Shirley’s face looked bright and cheerful as she heartily sang along with the others. And there was Caroline sitting between her parents, right in the front row. The old stone church seemed cozy and sweet with the candles glowing as they sang carols and hymns. Then, just after the pastor wished them all a merry Christmas, Caroline’s dad got up from his seat and asked if he could make an announcement. The pastor smiled and nodded as if it had all been prearranged, and everyone listened quietly as Caroline’s father began to speak.
“I want to thank you all and everyone else who has been praying for my son, Kevin. As you may know, it’s been hard going on us, not knowing where our boy was or what condition he was in. But now we’ve learned by way of another soldier who escaped last fall that our Kevin is alive—”
Everyone in church began to clap, but Caroline’s dad waved his hands for them to stop. “And that’s not all,” he continued with excitement. “This soldier who escaped said that some others were trying to do the same thing, and Kevin was among them. We don’t know anything more than that, but I can tell you, this makes us feel very, very hopeful this Christmas season. And we would appreciate your continued prayers.”