Emma sat by Drucilla's Pond, her feet dangling inside the water. It seemed like she was always nostalgic lately, and wanting to live her childhood again. Of course that wasn't going to happen. She remembered fondly the day when Ben had brought her here to wade after he had annoyed her. My, that seemed like a lifetime ago.
Behind her, someone cleared their throat. "Em?"
There was only one person who called her Em regularly. "What is it, Ben?"
Ben smiled and dropped beside her. "Well, I was gonna ask you to the chruch dance."
Emma turned to look at him. "Uh, sure. Why not." She blushed and stared back at the water.
Ben tried to control the happiness inside him. "Well, ain't that great!" He glanced at the water, then back at her face. "You sure are awful quiet. Thinking of me?" He teased. Emma spluttered and looked at him, shoving him with indignance. Ben just laughed.
As Mary Ellen, Erin and Emma finished the dishes they gave each other knowing looks. As they hadn't been seeing each other as much as they had been last year, after supper they always headed upstairs for coffee and a chat.
Mary Ellen sniffed her coffee in contentment as she sank on Emma's bed. "Heaven. Much better then school coffee. Its horrible."
"Move up." Emma whined, making room for herself. "How's Curt? I don't see him at all."
Erin winked as she squeezed in beside Emma. "Yeah, you haven't talked about him much."
Mary Ellen went quite quiet, which was very unlike her. "Oh, he's so...irritating sometimes, but he is very kind hearted. I'll bring him home for supper some time."
Emma yawned. "The only downside about coffee is that it makes you sleepy."
The church dance rolled around very quickly, on the first of December. Emma had saved up money to buy a new dress, and she had picked out one with the help of Erin. Erin was wearing a pink one from last year, as she had no money left after buying an extrvagant lipstick. Emma didn't think she would wear that much makeup, but by the time she got to the mirror that night, she just couldn't stop herself. She borrowed a bit of Erin's lipstick and put rouge on her cheeks.
"Ugh." Mary Ellen groaned as she finished buttoning up her dress. "Ready?" Her two sisters nodded and they headed downstairs with Curt, John Boy, Jason and Ben. The dance was fifteen and up, so Jim Bob and Elizabeth were having a radio night with the adults.
As they entered Godsey's hall, Emma was a bit taken aback. It had been totally transformed, but then she wasn't used to anything else because this was the first year they had hosted the dance.
Emma glanced at Ben, who was already staring at her. Blushing, she headed over to him. "So, I guess we have to dance."
"Darn, I'm a bad dancer." He chuckled.
"Same. I thought you saw me practice after supper." She laughed, as Ben took her hand and led her to the other couples. Beside her were G. W and Erin, and Martha Rose and her husband Ted. Martha Rose was expecting her first child, and had to wear a flowing maternity dress. Emma couldn't imagine being pregnant at only seventeen.
As the song stopped and the people headed to the punch, Emma glanced at Ben. "Are you getting some?"
"If you are." He shrugged. "I don't really like it much."
Emma smiled and walked with him over to the table. Lifting a glass, she stopped short when she saw Mary Ellen looking like she might burst with excitement. Knowing her sister very well, she steered Mary Ellen to the bathroom.
She let Mary Ellen bounce about. "Are you all right?"
"Our relationship is going great. And Curt is going to take me out for my eighteenth birthday next week." She sighed shakily, happy tears springing to her eyes.
"He seems wonderful, though I never get to talk to him." Emma held her sister close.
Mary Ellen looked at Emma, a determined look set on her face. "He is great. Bye!" She giggled, slightly tipsy, before heading outside. Emma was suddenly glad she hadn't drank any punch. Mabye a bit of the recipe had been in there.