The Gift

The gift- years later after their familiarity had initiated, Susanne still remembered the gift. She had been invited to a Jazz Gala. A dance for all the members of her church. Her parents said they could not afford an outfit, and they would not be embarrassed.

Suzanne had wilted. They would not have been embarrassed by her outfit, but she would be embarrassed at school. All her friends were going, What would she say? She did not want to share her family finances. She knew she was expected not to air her family's dirty laundry.

She was wondering if she could make a dress in the home ed. class. It was not their current project. Could she trust her instructor she wondered?

She gasped at some of her friends new dresses. Some of them even had dates. Suzanne inwardly cried. The weekend before the gala, it was hard to sit at the dinner table with her parents, . She felt as if she had been deserted by her family.

After she ate , she walked Buster- their dog. They went over to the park. She hid her hurt and threw a stick to the insightful dog, Buster sensed something, and went and cuddled up next to her. Suzanne was amazed. Her parents never noticed her sadness, but her dog always did.

That night Suzanna's mother called her to her parents room. She had just gotten off the phone with Maria's mother. Next weekend Suzanna would be staying with Maria's family. Suzanne's face froze. Maria was going to the Jazz Gala. Did this mean she was going? Her mother continued "We will be in New York. Your father's brother has had an accident. None of the children are going to be attending the gathering. Family support is expected. I hope you understand." Suzanne had numerous questions ,but was dismissed with a wave .

She returned to her room and wrestled with Buster. She could hardly contain her excitement. She was counting the days till her parents would leave. She probably should have listened about her Uncles surgery. But she felt as if God was finally looking out for her.

She got the Gift, Friday afternoon, when she went to her locker at school. She saw a paperbag with her name on it. Inside was a note and a dress. The dress and note was from Tommy. She gasped. The note said that he had bought her a dress that he would like to see her wear to the dance.

Suzanna knew her mother would not approve. She was too young to date. Her heart was singing. Her parents had left that morning. Maria smiled and giggled when she saw the dress. The two friends hugged.

Suzanne was nervous. In the confusion her parents had not mentioned the dance to Maria's mother. Suzanne choose not to mention it as well.

Maria helped her style her hair with a curling iron, and applied make up. Maria started singing "You look pretty, you look pretty". Suzanna felt pretty. She felt alive. They both laughed.

Tommy was stunned when Suzanna walked into the Gala. Suzanna would have been attracted to this boy even if he was wearing a sack. but he looked great. She was glad he had left his hair messy, but his outfit was spotless.

She felt insecure for a moment. The older elegant beautiful jazz singer with dangling earrings had caught her attention. Tommy laughed and wrapped his arms around Suzanne "She doesn't hold a candle to you," he said.

She spend the whole night dancing with Tommy. He was smiling and seemed not to miss hanging out with his male friends. He gave her a sweet kiss when it was time to leave.

No one could have given her a better gift than what he gave her that night: the dress, the company, the kiss.