Not Quite Grown Up

Innocently, Annabelle told him she had seen the cookie disappear. “What are you talking about, Annie? You weren’t even home. And they were my cookies anyway.”

“You could at least say thank you and I wasn’t talking about today. You took a cookie on the day I  finished baking them.” Rusty could be so dumb sometimes. She was glad she was done with the donations for this year. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.”

“You kids sure have been picking at each other more than usual. What’s going on?” Their dad had just come home from work. “Have you forgotten that we’re going out to supper tonight? You’d better get ready. Rusty, you get the bathroom first.”

“Dad, do I have to? Why can’t Annie go first? I’ll just have to sit around in my good clothes and get bored.” He really looked forward to his dad’s office party but didn’t see why he couldn’t wear what he already had on. “Your sister takes longer in the bathroom than you. Your good clothes will do just fine. You and I can have a game of chess while we wait on your mother and your sister.”

Rusty’s face lit up at his dad’s suggestion. His dad had taught him how to play chess. For a long time he lost every game, but now he could beat his dad. “Great! You get ready to be beat, Dad!” He started up the stairs to the bathroom. His dad called after him. “Use soap and make sure to wash everything. Rusty, did you hear me?” But Rusty was gone and all Grant could do was hope. 

“Now, Annabelle. How’s my girl? Where’s your mom?”  He kissed the crown of her head. “You’re getting so tall!” She wrapped her arms around her dad and hugged him tightly. “Mom knew you’d be home and decided we’re old enough to stay by ourselves for a few minutes. She just went to the store for milk and bacon for the morning.” She looked up at her dad. “Can I dance with you tonight, daddy?”

“Of course, sweetie. Now let’s get the chess board out so I’ll be ready when your brother gets down.”

~~~~~

The LightHouse restaurant was closed to the public for the evening. “Look at the gorgeous Christmas tree, Rusty! And all the tables have those poinsettia flowers!” She stood transfixed by the display that this restaurant put on every year. Hand made wreaths on the walls, the servers all dressed like elves, tinkling Christmas music from the grand piano in the corner, the pianist in tuxedo and tails. “It’s like being in a castle.” After the supper, the piano went silent and a dance quartet took their places on a small stage. Annabelle did dance with her father that evening. When you’re 10, it’s hard not to run and play with the little kids, and it’s scary to feel almost grown up. She tried act like she saw her mother acting, but didn’t really know if she was doing it right. Wearing her new Christmas dress, she did feel like a princess. She was also just passing the mark for dressing up in princess clothes, even though she still felt excited when she did. She hoped other people didn’t think she was being too little girlish. Rusty tried to listen to the men, but really didn’t seem any more comfortable that she did. He tried to look all grown up but they were twins so how could he? She was getting so sleepy and the music seemed too loud. “Mom, when can we go home?” 

~~~~~

Those couples with children were starting to round them up. There was more than one tired little one at the end of the evening. At home, neither Rusty nor Madge asked for a bedtime snack. Rusty had his snack in his closet. He was down to three cookies and decided just to go to bed. He started to read his graphic novel, but fell asleep with his light on. Annabelle was practically sleep walking up to her bedroom. Madge helped her into her pyjamas, tucked her in and she was asleep as soon as she snuggled under her covers. Turning her light out, Madge left the door open a crack; she stopped in Rusty’s room, put his book on his bedside table and turned his light out. 

She was tempted to just go to bed, but heard a favourite waltz playing downstairs. Smiling, she put aside her sleepiness to join her husband for a last dance. They would have the dance floor all to themselves.

“Even though you’re growing up, you should never stop having fun.”

~ Nina Dobrev, Canadian actress