Nothing noteworthy happens for several days until one very special afternoon arrives. I think it’s just an ordinary afternoon until Janna walks through the door. It’s Saturday. She had walked down to the park to meet Melody. Janna now describes the scene for me. So I’ll share it with you…
Janna had arrived at the park an hour before, only to discover no sign of Melody. But Lyric was sitting in a swing, waiting for her.
Do I smell a set-up?
He looks up just as she walks up to him. He smiles in that endearing way he has, a perfect rectangle framing his pearly whites.
“Hi, Nana.”
How is it that this kid is also calling one of my children by her pet name?
“Lyric, hi!” Janna looks around. “Where’s Melody?”
He clears his throat nervously. “She’s not coming.”
“What? Why?”
He glances at his feet, searching for courage in his toes. “I asked her not to.”
Janna just stares at him as an awkward awareness abruptly overtakes her. Suddenly self-conscious, she stands silent, unsure what to say now.
He rescues her as he instantly glances up into her eyes. “Would you go to the dance with me?” His beautiful, almond eyes are imploring her to say yes.
“Absolutely!” Janna responds definitively.
Lyric lets out a long breath in relief. Then he grins at her again. He jumps up off the swing ecstatically, but then he stops short, uncertain what to do.
“Want to take a walk?” Janna asks him.
He nods his head vigorously. Right before he reaches for her hand.
—
“Great. Now you and Kookie both have a date,” Emmie mumbles in a disappointed, little voice. It’s deep and low with sorrow. “Nana, I think I’m not going to go.”
“What? Why?” When Emmie doesn’t respond, Janna exclaims, “No! Emmie, you gotta go! It won’t be as fun if you’re not there!”
“I’ll be a fifth wheel. You won’t even notice my absence. You’ll be having too much fun with Lyric. And Kookie will be dancing with Melody. I really don’t need to see that.”
“No. Come on. Come with us. Please.”
Finally, Emmie caves. Will she be glad she went? Or will she regret it forever?
