Chapter Thirteen
“Oh my word. Dearie, you look fabulous.” Rose gushed as Miriam came down the stairs wearing her little black dress.
Miriam was suddenly self conscious. “It doesn't show too much skin?”
“No, dear. It's very flattering but it doesn't show that much. Twirl around for me.”
Miriam complied and Rose could see about an inch of her legs above the knee. The neckline in front followed her collarbone but it descended to the middle of her shoulder blades in back.
Rose frowned. “You need something.” She studied Miriam's dress again then snapped her fingers and went upstairs. “Just stay there.”
Miriam stood in the front hall waiting while she heard Rose muttering. Finally she heard a triumphant “Aha!” and the sounds of Rose in the hall upstairs.
Rose came down with an ivory silk lace shawl draped over her arm and a strand of pearls hanging from one hand. “Here. That dress needs pearls.” Miriam held the shawl while Rose fastened the necklace. Then Rose draped the shawl over Miriam’s shoulders. “You can wear this to keep your back warm, at least until you're comfortable in the dress.”
Miriam put it over her shoulders and Rose handed her a small gold penannular brooch with black enamel Celtic knotwork crosses on either side of the gap. “How does this work, Rose?”
Rose put the pin through the shawl then worked the circular portion around to slip the pin through the gap then worked the circle around so that the crosses were right way up. The weight of the pin tugged the shawl down so that the pin rested just below her neckline.
“It's beautiful, Rose, thank you.” Miriam turned around and gave the taller woman an impulsive peck on the cheek.
There was a polite knock on the door. Rose giggled and said, “Miriam, go back upstairs and wait around the corner of the landing. I'll go get my camera.”
Miriam looked askance but did as Rose requested while Rose retrieved her camera from the living room. There was another knock on the door. “Coming!”
Michelle rushed in ahead of Jerry. “Thanks for taking Mitchie tonight.”
Jack answered, “It's our pleasure. We're going to have some fun, right, squirt?”
“Right, Unca Jack.” Michelle held out her arms and Jack scooped her up. “Miriam, your date's here!” Then as an aside to Rose, “When was the last time we did this? Maddy's grad dance?”
Rose smiled nostalgically. “No I think it was when Alex picked up Maddy when they went to that wedding in Chester two summers ago just before he proposed.”
Conversation stopped as Miriam descended the stairs. Jerry's world narrowed down to the stairwell and Miriam. He held his breath as she walked closer to take his hand.
Jerry couldn't speak for a moment as Miriam dragged his head closer to kiss his cheek. “Good evening, heart of my heart.”
The spell broke enough for Jerry to speak. “Good evening to you, light of my eyes.”
Miriam murmured. “You remembered, my love.”
“Beauty like yours deserves poetry. Calling you dearie when you look like an angel doesn't work.” Jerry stepped back a bit. “I brought you a corsage.” He produced a box with a small but elegant red rosebud corsage that matched the boutonniere he was wearing.
Miriam gave a shy smile as she took it out of the box and handed it to him. “I did Aliyah's hair one year for the Christmas formal. I was envious when Justin pinned the corsage on her gown. I never thought I would ever go to a formal with a handsome man.”
Jerry's hands shook a little as he carefully pinned the corsage to Miriam's dress just below the shawl. Rose stood back smiling as Jerry heard the shutter click.
Michelle said, “Mireeyum is looking really pretty, isn't she Daddy?”
Jerry assured her that it was so then said, “Be good for Jack and Rose, sweetie. I'll see you in the morning.” He turned and bowed Miriam ahead of him. “Shall we go?”
Miriam gathered her composure and walked to the door. Jerry opened it and saw her to the car.
They pulled into staff parking lot just before seven-thirty. Walking into the decorated gym, they spotted Jaclyn and Jessie standing by the entrance, obviously waiting for their dates. They looked self-consciously elegant in their long satin gowns with their hair done up in a formal chignon.
Jessie poked Jaclyn and whispered, “Oh. My. God. Look, it's Mr. Grumpy and the Supermodel.”
Jaclyn whispered back. “She's too short to be a supermodel.”
Jessie whispered again, “But that dress is perfect on her and her hair...argh. I wish she wasn't so nice. I want to be able to hate her.”
Jaclyn said softly, “I'll bet she's really nervous, though. I don't think she's ever showed her knees in public before.”
Jessie replied, “But she looks so confident.”
Jaclyn said, “Yes, but look how hard she's squeezing Jerry's hand.”
Hand in hand, Jerry and Miriam walked over. Jerry asked, “Hi Jaclyn. How come Daniel didn't pick you up at home?”
“I had arranged to pick him up, but Mom wouldn't lend me the car and Troy can't get a car until his Dad gets home from work. So we compromised and decided to meet here. Jessie's mom drove us over. I had to be here early in case there were problems.”
Miriam smiled self-consciously. “You two look very elegant this evening. Troy and Daniel won't want to look at anyone else.”
Jessie unwound a bit and said, “I love your dress. Where did you get it?”
Miriam smiled and said, “Would you believe I got it for thirty dollars at Frenchy's?”
“Lucky. Is it a designer label?”
“I don't know. Is Alfred Sung a good name?”
Jessie rolled her eyes. “Some people have all the luck. I'll bet it's silk, too, right?”
Miriam said, in a small voice, “Yes.”
Jaclyn said, “It's probably because you're like a size four or something that there was something nice to buy. Frenchy's is pretty hit and miss for me. But I've never even seen a two thousand dollar dress, let alone been able to buy one for thirty dollars.” Jaclyn smiled as Miriam registered the magnitude of her good luck. “But it looks perfect on you, Miriam.” Jaclyn noted the shawl and gaped. “Is that Aunt Rose's wedding shawl?”
Miriam shrugged. “I don't know. It is one of Rose's shawls.”
“I knew it. I remember Maddy wearing it as a veil at her wedding. I thought it was so beautiful. I asked Rose if I could borrow it for my wedding and do you know what she said?”
“No, of course not.” Miriam looked up at Jerry for support.
“She said that she would only lend it if she was convinced that my fiancé truly loved me.” Then Jaclyn blushed as she looked at Jerry and then back at Miriam. “I didn't mean to imply anything, Jerry.”
As gently as he could, he said, “Jaclyn, Miriam knows that I love her dearly. And so does Rose. I think Rose knew before I did.”
Jaclyn looked a bit less embarrassed. “Well, have fun tonight.”
They made their excuses as the girls spotted their dates. She and Jerry wandered over to where the refreshment tables were being set up. Tom, the principal, beckoned them over. “Jerry, I think you've met Sylvie, my wife, but I don't think we've met this lovely lady.”
Jerry replied, “Miriam Nadif, this is my boss, Tom Doucet and his wife Sylvie.” As they shook hands, Jerry said, “Miriam was a classmate and my best friend from my days at McMaster.”
Sylvie shook Miriam's hand and said, “We heard some stories from Ethel Mader. If they're at all true, I'm glad you were able to get out in one piece.”
“I don't know what you've heard, but it isn't safe for me to go back to Lebanon. Christian converts from Islam are in great danger, at least in my home town.”
“You'll have to come over for coffee. Maybe you could give your testimony at our church?” Sylvie smiled warmly.
“I'd like to come for coffee. I'm not so sure about the testimony but I'll think about it.”
Tom looked around and
said, “They'll be opening the doors soon.” Then, looking pointedly at their clasped hands, he continued, “Remember, you're here as chaperones not on a date. I expect you to set a good example.”
Jerry gave a mock salute and said, “Yes, sir.” Then extending his arm to Miriam, he asked “Shall we mingle?”
Miriam gazed up at Jerry's adoring face, not registering the knowing looks on the faces of the people around them.
At eight-thirty the band took the stage for the first set. Jerry and Miriam chatted as they kept watch. Jerry asked, “Would you like to dance?”
Miriam looked up in consternation. “I only know a few of the traditional Lebanese country dances. I've never danced with a man before.”
“Would you like to try with me?”
“Maybe one of the slow dances. The fast ones don't seem very decent to me.”
Jerry smiled. “A slow dance it is.”
When the music came around for a slow dance, Jerry led Miriam to a corner of the dance floor. “We can do a basic two-step. Just follow where I lead.”
After a few missteps, a couple of false starts and some giggling, Miriam eventually got the basic pattern down and started to relax. As she did, she became aware of how big and solid Jerry was. His masculine scent so close did amazing things to her senses. A longing to be closer, to feel the brush of his legs against hers, to feel the tantalizing slide of her silken bodice against his chest began to affect her breathing and her heart rate. The music came to an end and Miriam looked up at Jerry, somewhat flustered by the unfamiliar passions she was feeling.
“Shall we get some punch?” Miriam nodded not trusting her voice.
The remainder of the evening was the same. Stand on the sidelines making sure that the students obeyed the rules and stepping in to break up arguments as necessary. Miriam became aware of the unattached men tracking her as she moved around the room. When she became uncomfortable, she would snuggle into Jerry, who looked puzzled but let her take comfort from his presence.
As they stationed themselves near the table where Jessie was sitting, they overheard her saying, over the music, “Did you see Mr. Grumpy this evening? He's smiling and everything.”
Eric spotted them against the wall. “Well, do you blame him? His date is the hottest babe here.”
“I didn't think he was allowed to date students.” This from a morose looking young man.
Jessie said, “They went to university together, so she must be, like, thirty.”
“No way. She can't be more than twenty.” Eric looked over at Miriam.
“Just 'cause she's tiny doesn't mean she's a kid.” This from little Marie who looked like she was going to hit Eric with one of her canes. “Oh. I see. You want her to be twenty so that you can pretend you have a chance with her. As if.”
Jerry was debating whether he should let them know they were speaking loud enough to be overheard, but then the band announced the last waltz. Jerry turned to Miriam and held out his hand.
Miriam took his hand to be led to the dance floor. She glided into his embrace as the music started. Jerry kept them moving gracefully around the floor. He looked down at the tiny fierce woman in his arms and felt an overwhelming sense of love. As the song wound down to a close, Jerry's universe collapsed into the two points of Miriam's deep brown eyes.
Miriam looked up as the music slowed. Jerry's blue eyes became her entire world. She reached up to bring those eyes closer to her. The universe shrunk until the only thing it contained was his scent, his eyes, his lips.
Jerry felt the urging of Miriam's delicate hands on his neck drawing his head closer to hers. He took a deep breath and the floral scent of her perfume drove away all thought except that he had to kiss her. Their lips met and began to explore.
Then the spotlight operator found them. The band began to sing, “I found my thrill...” Jerry blushed beet red as the wolf whistles and cheers from the crowd added to his embarrassment. Miriam buried her face in Jerry's broad chest as her face flamed. Mercifully, the band started a fast dance for the final set and the spotlight turned off.
Jerry and Miriam retreated, red-faced, to the refreshment table. Sylvie Doucet was grinning broadly as Tom waggled a finger at them. Tom came over and said, “That wasn't the kind of example I was expecting from you, Jerry.” Tom started with a stern tone but couldn't hold it and broke up at the crestfallen looks on both their faces.
Sylvie came over to put her hand through Tom's arm. “Don't worry too much, Jerry. Everyone can tell you're madly in love with each other.”
Tom tried again to look stern and ended up scowling at his wife for a brief moment.
“What? Tom, I think it's cute. I just wish one of ours would find someone to fall in love with.”
As Jerry and Miriam walked to the car through a gauntlet of smirking grads they said, simultaneously, “I'm sorry.” They tried again. “Not about the kiss.” They tried once more. “I shouldn't have ...” Jerry laughed and said, “You first.”
Miriam took a deep breath and said, “I'm sorry if I embarrassed you.”
Jerry said, “Well, it will be a good story to tell our grandchildren, assuming I ever get a chance to ask you to marry me. Did I embarrass you?”
“Only a little.” Miriam snuggled into Jerry as they reached the car. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
Jerry gave her a quick hug then handed her into the car. “The pleasure was all mine.”
As they sat in silence while they contemplated another kiss, they heard Jessie's clear and loud mezzo-soprano voice say, “Oh. My. God. Can you believe that kiss? That was so romantic. Did you see the way he looked at her? Ummmmmph...”
They looked over to see Troy doing his best to get Jessie to be quiet. Their kiss looked every bit as passionate as Jerry thought his and Miriam's had been. He said a quiet prayer for the grads heading for the after dance parties asking for God to help them avoid foolish situations that could have lasting consequences like unwanted pregnancies or injuries from drinking and driving. Then he squeezed Miriam's hand and drove her home.
Rose was still up when Miriam came home. She'd seen them kissing passionately for several minutes on the front steps but decided against saying anything. After all, if they had wanted to take it further, Jerry's house was empty.
Miriam, with her freshly unbound hair cascading down her back, floated through the front door and unpinned the shawl.
“So, dear. Did you have a good time?” Rose put down her book and poured Miriam a cup of chamomile tea.
“I had a marvellous time. Now I know why the IVCF girls were always so excited about going to the formal dances with their boyfriends. Dancing with the right man is so...delightful. I wish I had better English. I'm sure there is a more appropriate word.”
“Sometimes there really aren't any words to express that feeling. I remember my first dance with Jack after I knew we were meant to be together. There is a sense that the world is perfect.”
“Exactly. That's what I felt with Jerry. But I think we got carried away.”
“Oh. What happened?”
“We kissed.”
“You're going out together. You're allowed to kiss.”
“This was more than an affectionate kiss.”
“Oh. You mean like the ones I just saw you give Jerry on the porch?”
Miriam flushed then recovered. “Not quite as long.”
“I'm sure lots of committed couples were kissing like that in the corners. They did when I was a girl.”
“It wasn't exactly in the corner.”
“Out with it. What happened?”
“Well...” Miriam hesitated. “It was such a nice kiss. We were dancing and it felt wonderful…it felt like we were alone in the world...” Miriam paused, lost in the memory of Jerry’s strong arms around her.
“I know the feeling. Continue.” Rose had a twinkle in her eye.
“We were in the centre of the dance floor and we didn't realize the music had stopped while we were kiss
ing.”
Rose felt the corners of her mouth starting to lift. “The middle of the dance floor? At a high school dance?”
“It got worse. The spotlight operator found us and the band started playing a song that began 'I found my thrill...'”
Rose burst out with a laugh. “Oh dear.” The corners of Rose's mouth were twitching with the need to suppress her laughter. “I hope you weren't too embarrassed.”
“Well, after the cheering stopped and everyone moved aside so we could leave the dance floor, we got teased by most of the teachers. The students were saying some pretty rude things, too. Tom tried to scold us for being a bad example, but he was laughing too hard. By the time we got to the car we could laugh about it. Jerry says the story should be around town by noon tomorrow.”
“Well, I'm sure Ethel will give me a call as soon as she hears about it from Jaclyn. Jerry's going to hear about this for years. People think he's so strait-laced. It will do his reputation a world of good at school.”
“I know I should feel wicked and ashamed, but it just felt right. The wrong place, maybe, but the kiss was the right thing to do.” Miriam yawned. “Thank you for loaning me the shawl. Jaclyn told me how special it was.” She carried her tea cup to the kitchen with Rose following close behind.
“It was a special night for you. I thought you could take some of my prayers with you that way.”
Miriam's eyes misted. “Thank you for everything, Rose.” She gave Rose a kiss on the cheek and went to bed.