Sylvia noticed it right away. She disliked Eddie for any number of reasons; his flirtatiousness was at the top of that list. She watched him for a few minutes then gave Christine a smug smile and whispered, “Looks like your boyfriend’s got his eye on Darla Jean Parker.”
Christine turned with an angry glare.
“Cut it out, Mama,” she hissed. “I know you’d love to see me and Eddie break up, but you can just forget it. He’s crazy about me and has no interest in that model.”
With that contentious smile still curling her lips, Sylvia came back with another dig. “If he’s all that crazy about you, then why aren’t you married?”
Although it was obvious Christine had heard the comment, she didn’t respond; she just sat there looking as puffed up as a bullfrog. Several minutes later, when Darla Jean came out wearing that green suit, she elbowed him and snarled, “Stop looking at the model that way, you’re embarrassing me in front of Mama.”
“Gimme a break,” Eddie grumbled. “This is not what you think. I know her. Bobby had a thing with this girl back in high school, and I believe she’s the one.”
Christine rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. In his dreams maybe.”
Eddie shrugged. “We’ll see.”
Suzanna
A Christmas to Remember
AFTER THE FASHION SHOW, COLETTE raved about Suzanna’s performance. With an over-the-top flourish, she waved her arm in the air and declared it, “Magnifique!” She then went on to say as payment for stepping in to fill the void, Suzanna would receive an extra day off and $150 for modeling.
That amount was half again more than what Suzanna had expected. Overjoyed at the thought, she asked if she might take the following Thursday off. It was only two weeks until Christmas, and she knew exactly what she wanted to do.
That evening she invited Ida to join her for a Christmas shopping excursion and lunch at Lady Anne’s Tea Room. For what was perhaps the first time in her life, Suzanna could see a bright future ahead. The things that for so long had been nothing more than a dream were now a reality. She had a job, Annie had a home and a grandma who loved her, and her relationship with Gregg was growing sweeter every day.
On the nights when she’d tossed and turned, unable to sleep because of worry about the fashion show, she’d found peace in creating an imaginary Christmas list. She’d pictured a shiny red two-wheeler for Annie, a grown-up bike with training wheels that could come off when she was ready. Also new clothes, dresses for school, and a warm jacket for when the January winds blew coldest. She remembered how she’d seen Gregg making notes on a ruled tablet and decided that he should have a leather portfolio, one with his initials stamped in gold, one that he could be proud to leave lying atop his desk.
It was easy enough to think of gifts for Annie and Gregg, but try as she might she could not come up with the perfect gift for Ida. She thought of a dozen different things: fancy robes, jewelry, perfumes, or bath lotions, but none of them were right. None were special enough for Ida. That’s when she’d hit on the idea of going shopping together. As they browsed through the stores, she’d keep a keen eye out, watch what Ida admired, make note of the things she stopped to look at, then return the next day to buy Ida’s present.
On Thursday morning Suzanna was up early, excited at the prospect of what the day would bring. She had the $150 Colette had paid her for working the show plus $32 she’d saved from her paychecks. More money than she’d once thought possible, and she was going to spend every last dime to give Annie and Ida the best Christmas ever. This would be the Christmas they’d remember years from now. Long after Annie was married with children of her own, she’d look back and remember the year she’d gotten her first real bicycle.
As soon as the breakfast dishes were cleared and Annie was off to school, Suzanna and Ida left for Barston. On the drive over, Ida asked, “What exactly are we shopping for?”
“Some of this and that,” Suzanna answered, then she ran through the list of things she wanted to buy for Annie and Gregg. “I’d also like to buy a gift for Ginger and the baby, so maybe we could browse the Emporium and look for some special gifts.”
Ida gave a nod. “Good idea. They’ve got beautiful things. Why, just last week in their newspaper ad, I saw a fur-trimmed coat that would look darling on Annie.”
“I’m getting her a cold weather jacket, so you don’t have to bother. Save your money and don’t worry about—”
“I’m not the least bit worried about money. I’ve already told you, I came into a bit of a windfall and—”
Suzanna turned with a look of surprise. “That was way back in September. But on Thanksgiving Day you told Gregg you were counting on the money from his rent.”
Obviously flustered, Ida waved her hand toward the windshield. “Watch where you’re going, and keep your eyes on the road.”
Suzanna caught the abrupt change of subject. She’d been lying almost all of her life and could spot a bare-faced lie a hundred feet away.
“That windfall story sounds kind of fishy,” she said. “I think there’s something you’re not telling me.”
“Nonsense,” Ida said and turned her face to the window. For several minutes, she sat there saying nothing, then without turning back said, “Sometimes you don’t tell somebody something because they’re better off not knowing it.”
“Grandma, if you’re in need of money, I’ve got $182 you can have. We’ll make do for Christmas. I’ll crochet Annie a new scarf and—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Darla
