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After dinner, as the kids are returning from watching a movie in the basement, I realize we’ve run out of milk in our upstairs fridge.  I head down the stairs to grab some more from our basement fridge when I suddenly stop cold.  A soft voice is floating up those steps from below.  I identify that low rumble immediately.  

It’s Yoon Gi.  How can he sound so much like his namesake on the other side of the world?

“Melody,” purrs that sweet voice.  “Wait.  Will you stay and talk with me for a few moments?  I want to ask you something.”

“You do?” I can hear her heart rate picking up speed at the sound of his request.

“Yes.  I,” he pauses.  “I know this is really late notice, but are you going to the Snow Ball with anyone?”

“No,” she squeaks.  Her voice actually flies up an octave.

I can imagine his eyes devouring her face right now.  “You’re not?  Are you going at all?  Or were you planning on staying home that night?”

“I, uh,” she stops.  I hear her take a deep breath before pressing on.  “I was going to go, but then my date dropped me.”

“Do you have a dress to wear?”

My heart melts.  What a thoughtful boy!  How many guys would even recognize that the lack of a dress would cause a major dilemma for a girl being asked to a formal dance?

“Yes, I do.  I bought it over a month ago.”

“Melody.”

Silence.  Then I hear him heave a breath for courage.

“Would you like to go to the Snow Ball with me?”

“Yes!” I hear joy vibrating along her vocal cords.  “I would love to!”

“You would?”  He sounds genuinely shocked.

“Yes.”  A pause.  Then, “Thank you for asking me.  I really wanted to go.  But I didn’t want to go alone.  I mean…what fun is dancing by yourself?”

“I’m not much of a dancer,” he mumbles suddenly.  I can hear embarrassment coloring his voice.  “I might step on your toes accidentally.”

“It’s okay if you do.  Can I tell you a secret?” she whispers suddenly.

“What?” he breathes.

“I’m not a good dancer either.”

“You mean you might step on my toes?”

“It’s entirely possible,” she responds with a deep sigh.

“In that case, maybe we can escape into the hallway and remove our shoes before dancing in the dark.”

A long silence ensues.  Then Melody’s voice breaks it.  

“That sounds absolutely lovely, Yoon.  I would love to dance in a dark hallway with you.  Without my shoes on.”

I smile.  Melody has a date to the Snow Ball!  I am so happy for her.  And she seems to be opening up to this sweet boy here.

I instantly determine that I’ve left them alone long enough.  No need to give them the opportunity to share their first kiss in my basement.  I continue to descend the staircase.  

As they finally come into view, I comment, “Oh!  Here you two are!  We’re about to have dessert if you want to join us upstairs.”

Sheepishly, they both glance my way as I pass them to enter my pantry.  They precede me up the stairs.  I grin as I grab another jug of apple cider.  Tonight is proving to be even more interesting than I anticipated.