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stuck his foot out in front of him. He lit up when he saw her and too quietly for anyone else to hear, began talking with her. I turned back to the table and noticed Reece watching me. The silence, which was usually so comfortable to me, was awkward so I excused myself and walked to class.
    That evening I brought up the dance to Anne who was trying to make a decorative design on the pot pie she was making. Anne couldn’t cook but she tried. Discouraged, she slammed the fork down on the counter and exclaimed, “Dammit, why can’t I do this?” Anne wasn’t known for her patience.
    I took a look at the mess, concealed my amusement, and offered to help. I demonstrated with two fingers how to crimp the edges of the crust so they looked nice. I also cracked an egg and added a little water, scrambling them together to make an egg wash. I fumbled around in Anne’s kitchen drawer until I found the right utensil and brushed the crust with the wash.
    “It’s a simple design,” I said. “But it’s fast. I like using a wash since it gives sheen to the crust. Dad taught me.”
    Anne’s face softened. “He was the better cook,” she recalled fondly.
    I nodded in agreement and decided to change subjects. “A dance is coming up.”
    She raised her eyebrows inquisitively. “The fall dance...I attend every year.”
    “I would like to go but I don’t have anything to wear,” I said apologetically. I didn’t want Anne to spend too much money, or worse, feel obligated to.
    “ Oh ,” she said; her tone dropping with curiosity. “Don’t worry about that! We can find something online.”
    Fed-ex and UPS were always delivering packages to Anne; she loved to shop and had impeccable taste. Me on the other hand...I stuck to basic colors because I couldn’t figure out what looked good together. Changing course she exclaimed, “Wait, I have the perfect dress!”
    She hurriedly put the pie in the oven, wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and took me by the hand and led me upstairs. She opened her closet and fumbled around until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a long black and white dress.
    “Oriental Cheongsam,” she proudly showed off. “Of course it doesn’t fit me anymore but I could never get rid of something so beautiful.” She held it out for me to take.
    The dress wasn’t what I had in mind, it was better. Its elegance was timeless.
    “What size is it?”
    “Try it on, try it on,” Anne urged. “If it needs to be altered we can have that done.”
    Minutes later I came out of the bathroom partially zipped up and barefoot.  Anne looked very pleased, “My word, you look stunning. It’s as if the dress was made for you.”
    “Really?” I asked. She nodded cheerfully and zipped me up.
    I admired the dress as I ran my hands across the silken fabric. “I promise I’ll take good care of it.”
    Anne looked thoughtful. “I know you will, but it’s yours now.”

Chapter 10
    Reece had asked if he could escort me to the dance where we would meet up with our friends. Anne was going too and Benjamin Dalton was her unofficial date. The adults were going to one ballroom while most of the teens were going to the ballroom at the lodge.
    I stood in front of the hallway mirror and took one last look at myself. I had curled my hair and left it down, letting the length fall over my left shoulder. Anne let me borrow some of her perfume and I dabbed the tiniest amount behind my neck and admired the light floral fragrance, which wasn’t the least bit overpowering. I had seen Anne wear a beautiful anklet once and asked if I could borrow it. Anne seemed apprehensive, which was unlike her. When I asked again she handed it to me. Satisfied that I looked presentable, I flashed a look of gratitude in her direction.
    It couldn’t have been a couple minutes later when I noticed an engine cut and shortly thereafter I heard footsteps on the stairs followed by the knock. Anne was about to answer when I told her I would