I don't own these characters or profit from them.
Molly of Denali
Dance Partners
By, Clayton Overstreet
Sometimes life's big decisions come before you are ready for them. They still need to be made though.
"So this dance isn't a native Tradition?" Molly asked.
"Not exactly," Auntie Midge said. "It's just for Valentine's Day. We started it in the late fifties when I was a little girl. Just because we're Native Americans does not mean we don't change and begin new traditions to go with the modern times. Otherwise we'd still be without heaters and I'd be worrying about being put out on an ice flow."
Molly hugged her. "You have a point there. I'd hate to be without the internet just because it's not traditional. But don't worry Auntie Midge, if we ever put you out on an ice flow I'll make sure it's really large and you have plenty of food. You'll probably make it to Washington or even Oregon."
The older lady laughed and hugged her back. "I appreciate it, you smart mouth little brat."
"You're welcome crabby old lady. But isn't it a little old fashioned that girls are supposed to just wait for someone to invite them with a letter?"
"Well people were much more circumspect back then. Also they lived pretty far apart and if they were turned down it was easy to take not getting a return letter than get turned down in person. You could still go if you did not get invited and many did, but it got sort of embarrassing if you went year after year without a date." She sighed. "Your auntie Mirna did not get invited until she was fifteen. It's part of why she's always so grouchy. Bit of a sore spot actually."
"Well I think we can always change the tradition. If I didn't get invited I'd invite someone else."
"Oh? Is there someone you want to ask? Is there someone our Molly likes?"
Molly blushed and stepped back. "No! I meant in general."
"Well you only just turned eleven, so I think spinsterhood might be a ways in your future. And you have been busy between working in the store, winning gold in the Native Youth Olympics, training sled dogs, and climbing Denali. I can understand why you haven't had time to find a boyfriend." She paused. "Though just so you know your mother got her first invitation when she was nine."
"Really?" Molly asked. "Was it my dad?"
"No. I don't' really remember who she went with. I do remember she made your grandma buy her a dress. I think she was more interested in going to the dance than who she went with. I'm not sure he even really liked her. Like when you give Valentines to your whole class at school. Why don't you ask her?"
000
"My first Valentine's dance? Gee I don't really remember. I think I went with someone named… Mike? Mitch? I mostly remember the pink princess dress my mom bought me to wear." She went to a shelf and picked up an album. "There I am."
"Wow, you were so pretty," Molly said.
She slipped pages. "And here's a picture of your dad. He took Elena Partridge, a girl from another nearby village to his first dance, but he was thirteen." Her father was a little boy who looked uncomfortable in a suit. He pretty blond girl next to him smiled brightly, obviously happy to be there in her blue dress. "I didn't go every year even though I always got an invitation. And one year I got into a fight with my date and I ended up dancing with your father. Who I actually turned down the year before. At least I didn't say yes and he had another date."
"Really?"
"Well Molly you can't always base your future on one dance or a letter. Though your grandpa Nat only ever invited your grandma when they were twelve and they went to the dance together every year."
"Aw that's so romantic. And the dance seems like it'd be a lot of fun. But what if nobody invites me? Auntie Midge said it can sort of be bad to either not get invited or show up alone."
"Well I never had that problem," she replied with a pinch of pride. "And yes it bothers some people. But I think it only means what you think it means Molly. Besides you're eleven."
"Yes, but you were nine." She fidgeted a little. "Um, do you think I could get a dress to wear to the dance?"
"Sure," she said. "Honestly I've kind of been waiting for you to ask. You're a bit of a tomboy and I wasn't sure you ever would."
Molly stuck out her tongue. "Don't think I'm going to be all girly-girly. Next year I might wear jeans or a tuxedo or traditional garb."
Her mom laughed and pulled her into a hug. "I wouldn't dream of sticking you in a girly-girly outfit without your permission. But I won't deny I'm sort of glad you're letting me do it this once."
"It's the least I can do." She pulled back. "But um, if I don't get invited is it okay if I invite someone else?"
"I don't see why not," she said. Then she grinned. "Got anyone in mind?"
"No! You know you're just like Auntie Midge. I just want to go to the dance. I don't necessarily want to go with anyone. Just with someone, you know?"
Suddenly her dad walked into the room. In his hand was the mail. "I don't think you have to worry about that Molly." From the top of the pile he pulled up two envelopes. One blue and the other purple and sealed with a pink heart sticker. "I couldn't help overhearing and didn't want to interrupt. I think though you'll have to wait until next year to actually invite somebody else. Loots like you'll be busy picking between two others."
Molly took the envelopes and saw that they had not been mails. They just had her name on the front in children's handwriting. "Oh no!"
"What?" Her parents asked.
"Sorry, it's just… I had a hard enough time picking people when I asked for help designing our flag. What if whoever sent these sent them because… because they like me or something."
Her mom smiled and said, "Well Molly you have time to decide if you're even going with anyone. You don't have to go with them just because they wrote you. I got a letter the first year after I married your dad."
"You did? Who from?"
"Don't know. I threw it in the fire."
"Oh." He smiled. "Good." He knelt down. "you know Molly if you feel you're too young for this there's no shame in not going with anyone. You can wait until you're a little older. Say thirty or even forty."
Her mom giggled and Molly rolled her eyes. "Let's call that Plan B. How about I see what these letters say and then maybe actually talk to whoever invited me. Maybe they just want to go to the dance too."
"I wouldn't count on it Molly," her mother teased. 'You're pretty and smart and pretty much the most popular girl in town. And once we pick up your dress you'll have to beat the boys off with a stick. Right dear?"
Her father sighed. "Yes. Molly any chance you could let me do your makeup? I think we still have some witch warts and the nose from Halloween…"
"Dad!" She gave him a look and he backed up, hands raised.
"Fine, but remember sweetie, this time you can't sole all your problems by picking Suki. I'm pretty sure they don't let dogs into the dance."
"Rats. And after we spent all month practicing the two-step," Molly said. She saw the way her parents were eying the envelopes. "Well, I'd better go up to my room and open these. Alone. Call me when dinner's ready." She turned and ran for it hearing her dad make a disappointed sound behind her as she went. She passed Suki as she went and slammed the door before the dog could follow her in. She heard a whimper, but knowing her playful canine the last thing she needed was for her letters to get eaten before she could read them.
000
Up in her room Molly went straight to her desk and sat down, looking at the letters. The blue one said To: Molly on it in block-letters written in pencil and looked like it had been written and erased a couple of times. Her name not somebody else's so she felt good about that. The purple just said Molly in careful cursive. Obviously not their usual way of writing and impossible to identify. The heart sealing it shut sparkled. A little girly for a boy, but she appreciated the effort.
She stared at them for a while, trying to imagine who could have written them. She knew a lot of kids and even more adults. They did not even have to come from Denali. People delivered letters for each other without going through the mail in Alaska all the time. Anyone could have slid it into their mail. It might even be someone she did not know well.
Eventually Molly decided she just had to open them. She went with the plainer blue one first. She got a pencil and used it to tear open the top.
Dear Molly,
I am not sure if you are interested, but I heard there was a dance this Valentine's day. I never really paid attention to it before, but my brother says I'm old enough hat maybe I should. And when I thought about it I wondered who to invite. And really the first person I thought of was you. Actually the only person.
Maybe it's a little weird but you're my best friend and I think I'd really like to go with you. If you like. No pressure.
Your friend, Tooey
Molly stared at the letter for a while, kicking her feet under the table. Wow. Tooey was her best friend. She could see going with him to the dance. She pictured the picture of her dad and the other girl and put her and his faces in their place. It was easy to picture him looking just as uncomfortable all dressed up. It brought a smile to her face.
At the same time like he said it would be weird. Tooey was… Tooey. She had always pictured them being friends. Her growing up to run her parents' trading post and him raising his dogs. It was not that she was against the idea. It just had never occurred to her. And it was sort of uncomfortable that he seemed to be all about asking her to the dance than excited about going to the dance. No pressure? Yeah right.
For example as she looked at the other letter she bit her lip and felt a crushing guilt. Should she even open it? Tooey was her best friend. She should just say yes. It was not like she had anyone else she wanted to go with. No crushes or anyone else she really wanted to ask.
Curiosity got the better of her and she quickly tore open the purple envelope.
OMG, Molly!
My dad just told me about this super Valentine's Day party you guys have out here. It sounds amazing. Anyway I heard when you ask somebody to these things you're supposed to writer a letter. I'd really rather just ask face to face, but when in Alaska and all that. You have been so great teaching me about all the Alaskan customs and stuff so I figure I'd better stick with tradition.
Anyway I think you're really pretty and we have a lot of fun together, so would you please, please, please go to the dance with me? It sounds really romantic and fun and I really want to dance with you. I'm not like an expert or anything but you know I'm willing to try and learn, so I'll do my best.
XXXOOO Trini (she dotted the Is with hears)
Molly's eyes widened as she stared down at the signature. Trini? Wow she had really never thought of that before. She tried picturing it again. This time she ended up with her mom's picture and putting Trini in the blue dress in place of her date.
It was not gross. She had danced with girls at events before especially when she was on stage with her cousin or the time they had gone to the tribal festivals. It had been fun and boys often got embarrassed about dancing and stood off to the side at least for a while.
She could not help smiling a little rereading it. Nobody had ever called her pretty before. Well nobody outside of her family.
Tooey's was sweet too and knowing him, he would say the same thing if prompted. He was just a bit shyer than their friend from Texas.
At the same time she was pretty sure if he even thought the word romantic his head might explode. Molly's cheeks were heating up already. Thinking of both of them that way. Yikes.
How long had they felt that way? Was it just the dance that spurred it or had they been waiting for any excuse before this? She felt sort of bad for not knowing and for not exactly being sure if she felt the same way or not. This was so out of the blue. She might have asked Tooey to the dance, once she had time to think about it. As for Trini, well she might not have thought that. She had been sort of categorizing the boys in town. But she had thought that maybe she and the other girls, Trini in particular, might tear up the dance floor. In her head she could sort of still see the boys just standing up against the wall drinking punch and pretending to be too cool to dance because they were embarrassed or did not know how. Though Oscar might actually play fiddle with the band.
"Molly, dinner!"
"Coming!" She said. She took a moment to put the letters away in the drawer that locked. She had a diary in there, though she had not used it much since she started her blog.
When she got downstairs she could see her parents watching her and specifically not asking her about the letters. She sat down at her plate, already served, and poked at her food. After a moment she asked, "Mom, what does it mean when someone signs a letter with three exes and three Os? Does it have to do with tic-tac-toe?"
Her parents shared a look. They smiled a bit sand she said, "It's sort of an old style emoji from when people wrote letters more. People would sign X and O as a way to say, um, hugs and kisses."
Molly felt her face heating up again. "Oh." She speared a piece of food and jammed it in her mouth. "This is really good mom." She had no idea what she had just swallowed.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." After a few minutes it was clear that Molly was not talking and they wisely let it drop. When her plate was clean she got up without another word and went back upstairs.
"Exes and Os huh? Our daughter is growing up so fast."
"I don't know. She was taking it so seriously. Maybe she is too young for this."
"I'm a little worried too, but we know the boys in this town. They're all good kids. Besides this is something that Molly is going to have to deal with on her own. Unless she asks us for help we can't even give her advice."
"I'm not even sure I'd want to try or what I could even tell her. Part of me is terrified she'll ask. Part of me wants her to. And another wants her to handle it on her own."
"I'll be proud of her either way. Anyway she's a smart girl. She's climbed a mountain. She's found secret paths and lost hot springs. She designed a snow maze. She can do this."
"We're still going to the dance and watching her like hawks every second."
"Of course."
000
Molly was up way past her bedtime thinking about what her mother had said. Hugs and kisses. Hugs and kisses. Tooey and Trini. Eek!
It was fun to think about. She could see doing it. No like full gross tongue or anything but she had hugged her friends before and she could see giving them a peck on the cheek or even the lips if the mood was right. Just to try it out Her image flipped between Tooey in a tux and Trini in address then briefly to Tooey in a dress, which made her giggle and Trini in a tux pretending to be a spy, braids back across her head instead of their usual pigtails. Her puppy Four-Spot dancing around her feet.
She fell asleep still thinking about it.
The net day she got up and decided she needed to talk to them. Find out in person why each had asked her out. The letters were a little ambiguous and she might be misreading them. She took off as soon as breakfast was done.
On the way she ran into Nina, the scientist who did a lot of research in the area over the last year. Molly liked her a lot and really looked up to her. "Hi Nina, what's up?"
"Not much. I'm planning on checking on that baby moose we found last week. Do you want to come with me?"
A baby moose had been clipped by a car and they had found it limping and bleeding. They took it to the vet and he said it was not in too much trouble. Then Nina, Molly Trini and Tooey had spent a day looking for its mother, using the various nature cameras and migratory date Nina and her fellow researchers had on the local animals. They had found the mother but she had not been particularly happy to see them with her baby. It had been a close call.
Molly knew she had a plan but suddenly the excuse to avoid talking to her friends was too good to resist. "I'd love to!"
"It's a bit of a hike. It might take us two hours to get there. I don't want to risk upsetting the mother any more than I have to. I brought some jerky."
"Sounds great. Give me a minute to check in with my parents and get my canteen."
"Do you want to invite Tooey and Trini along too?"
Molly froze and then with a forced smile said, "I think they're busy today, I'll tell them about it when I get back."
"Oh, okay then."
They walked in silence for about an hour when Molly finally cracked, "So Nina, do you have a date for the dance?"
Nina sighed. "I wish. My girlfriend and I broke up before I came up here. Long distance relationships are hard to maintain and I haven't met anyone since I've been up here. I might go just to hang out, but I don't have a date or anything. Are you going?"
"Um, I think so. My mom and I are supposed to pick out a dress.' Molly looked up at her. "So you had a girlfriend?"
She nodded. "Nothing too serious. We only went out a few times before I got my grant to come up here. Neither of us really wanted to try the long distance thing."
"Do you only like girls?"
"No, I've had boyfriends before too. Two boys and three girls since Junior High. I was really hung up on Toby Grace in high school." She smiled. "Did someone ask you to the dance?"
"Two someones," Molly admitted. It was kind of unexpected. I didn't think anyone would ask me and I just kind of wanted to dance. Then I got these two letters yesterday. Both of them asking me to go to the dance with them. I'm not sure what to do."
"Do you like one of them more than the other?"
"I… I don't know. I never thought about it before."
"And I'm guessing from what you were just asking at least one of them is a girl?" Molly nodded. "Well I can't say I'm surprised."
"You're not? What do you mean?" molly looked down at herself. Did she give off some sort of girl liking vibe?
"It's just that you're really confident and pretty and smart and caring. You're practically a super hero Molly. Remember that time I broke my leg and you and your grandfather had to save me? Or when you and Tooey took that sled out to get the mil to celebrate the anniversary of that famous dog run? And the times you and your friends have helped me or someone else around here with some big project.
"Honestly Molly if I were ten years younger I'd probably have a huge crush on you myself."
"Really?"
"Sure. Molly you're a catch. Anyone would be lucky to date you. One day you're going to be even more amazing than you already are. I bet they'll even make a movie or a whole TV series about you."
"If it were any one I wouldn't have a problem."
"Sorry little lady, but that's on you."
Molly nodded. "I know. I just… how do you know if you like someone that way? I like Trini and Tooey. They're my friends and I enjoy spending time with them. The idea of… of kissing them doesn't…"
"Trini and Tooey huh?"
Molly realized she had forgotten to hide their identities. She looked down. "Yeah."
"That's rough. Your two besties."
"Yeah. And I don't… how do you know if you like boys or girls?"
"Can't help you there kiddo. I like both just fine. Though I can give you the advice I was given. You have to think of two things. One: if you close your eyes and picture kissing a boy or a girl, does one feel weird or wrong or right or better than the other? It's not like a quick decision thing, but you should think about that."
"I have been. Neither seems bad. I've never done it though so I don't know if it'll feel different in real life. If I do it."
"Well that's how it is for everyone Molly. Sometimes you just know what's right for you and sometimes you have to find out."
"What's the other thing? You said there were two."
'Right. Um, the other thing is to think about everyone else you know and how they would feel seeing you kiss one or the other. I know it is not supposed to matter. You be you and all. Who you love is between you and them. But in real life it kind of does. Tooey's got a big family doesn't he? Could you kiss him in front of your friends or his brothers or parents? Could he kiss you? The same for Trini. I haven't been up here long but this is a pretty close knit community with a lot of traditions. How do your people feel about two girls… uh… rubbing noses? Is her dad okay with that sort of thing?"
"I don't know," Molly said. "I'm still learning about my own culture and it's never come up. As for what other people think, I don't even know what I think."
"Well I know the people of Denali are pretty accepting I've always felt welcome here, but before you make a decision it might be a good idea to find out how they will react. Even if you did pick Trini whether or not you want everyone to know about it is something you should think about first."
Molly considered. He could see Tooey's brothers totally making fun of him. Their friends might make a few sounds and tease them too. Nothing too bad, at least to her, but Tooey did embarrass easily.
Trini had been pretty outgoing in her letter. Molly could not imagine her being embarrassed about most anything. At least not for long. On the other hand she had never really asked any of her family, especially the elders how they felt about two girls or two boys dating. If she did would they be disappointed in her? Or would they not like that Trini was not a Native? Most of the couples in town she knew of were pretty well matched. Her parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles and cousins. Trini's parents were both African American. Would it matter?
She did not think so, but finding out she was wrong by doing it might not be great.
Maybe she should talk about that before she decided who if anyone to go to the dance with. Before her mom bought her a dress.
"What do you think makes a girl like other girls?"
"Well according to this online parenting group I read abut, apparently seeing a gay wedding one time in a cartoon on PBS can do it and will lead to the ultimate downfall of all society. So they keep trying to get the show cancelled. But they're kind of nuts. Honestly Molly nobody knows for sure what makes someone that way, We just know… it works." She grinned and they both laughed.
000
The baby moose was not there, though they saw the mother. They double checked, but there was no sign that the baby was anywhere around. It might just be hiding and waiting for its mother, but then again an injured baby was a tempting snack for most predators. Wolves, bears, even lynxes and wolverines. Even without an injury even a grown moose could fall prey to a lot of other animals or even hunters.
They walked back to town and Molly checked her cell phone. She was a little surprised neither of her friends had called her. Then again last time when she had been deciding on the flag everyone had been all over her. She could see them waiting anxiously to see if she had read the letters, at least a day or two. Maybe waiting for her to write them back.
She got home and found her parents and grandpa Nat drinking tea. They looked up and smiled as she came in. Her grandfather said, "Morning Molly. Your parents tell me you got invited to the dance. I remember when your mother got her first invitation. She was so excited…"
"Masi Cho grandpa. Um, Can I ask you guys something?"
"Sure Molly, whatever you want," her dad said.
"Well one o the letters I got, it's… it's from another girl. I was wondering how... is that a problem for our people?"
The adults shared a look and there was a pause. Finally Nat said, "Well molly as you know until a few years ago our culture had been pretty suppressed. I can tell you that the people in charge of that were definitely against that sort of thing. I can't say it came up when I was younger at all. If anyone was in that kind of relationship they were not going to tell anyone. Now that I'm older and think back on it I can think of a few I wouldn't be surprised."
"So how do you feel about it?"
He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I would be lying if I said it is something I would not have to work through. But Molly if there's one thing I know it's that you are a smart girl and you know what is right for you. As long as you are happy, that's all I'd care about." He cleared his throat. "Culturally it's not unheard of. A lot of the old stories have been lost with time and because of active attempts to destroy them. But I remember hearing one about White Whale Woman who married a woman and of course there's the story of Sedna and Qailertetang. They are two women who live in the sea. Sedna was wanted by a great spirit for his bride and refused. She and her father ran away but when he came after them her father threw her into the sea and even cut off her fingers when she tried to climb back in. She sank into the sea and all the fish and sea life sprang from the blood of her fingers. Qailertetang saw her fall and dove in after her to join her and they still live down there in a house of whale bones.
"Some tribes saw people of that persuasion as holy and many of them became shamans or great heroes. Practically speaking men and women often spent many days or even weeks alone together in confined spaces or with small communities or just because they liked each other. I think that sort of thing is between them. I also know that many tribes in continental America saw no problem with same gender couples and even considered them holy."
Molly looked at her parents. "What about you two? Mom did you ever date a girl?"
"No, not me. But your father had a boyfriend once."
She looked at him. "You did?"
He nodded and smiled. "When I was in high school. For about a year. I was as surprised as anyone and in the end it petered out. But I was pretty smitten for a while. Do you want the details?"
"Yes!"' She paused. "But not right now. I just… I wanted to know how you guys would feel before I made ay hard decisions."
Her mother nodded. "A wise choice Molly, but I would hope you know that we'd accept your decision."
"I thought so, but I didn't want to be wrong,' Molly said. She came forward and gave them each a hug. "I haven't decided anything yet."
"I'm sorry we can't help any more Molly," Nat said.
"That's okay grandpa. I understand and I'm kind of glad you guys aren't getting involved."
"Can you let me know in the next couple of days if we're going to need to go get you that dress? If we're flying to Juno to go shopping we need to do it soon."
"I should know by tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to talk to them in person and see what the deal is."
"That's very mature of you."
"Thanks."
000
She went to Tooey's place first thing the following day. He was outside feeding his family's sled dogs. He saw her coming and looked down nervously. "Hey Molly."
"Hi Tooey. Um, do you have a minute to talk?"
"S-sure,' he said. 'Just… give me a minute." He finished feeding the dogs and then left the pen, locking it behind him. Molly went over to a nearby fence and hopped up on it. He got up beside her. "So, I guess you read my letter."
"Yeah. Um, it was nice and very sweet. I was just wondering a few things."
"Like what?"
"Well have you been thinking about this for a while? Or did you just decide to ask me to this dance?"
"I guess I… I've thought about it. You know when it's come up. People ask sometimes what I'm going to do in the future. My brothers sometimes tease me for hanging out with girls all the time. I guess I always figured if I asked someone out it would be you." The way he sounded it was like he expected her to say no.
"I'm still thinking it over,' she said. 'Um, I got another invitation with yours."
"Who else asked you?"
"Trini."
He blinked, as surprised as she had been. "Really?"
"yeah."
"Um, are you going with her?"
"I don't know. I wanted to talk to both of you. See if you wanted to just go to the dance or if you wanted to go to the dance with me."
"With you.'
"Yeah, I got that." She paused. "If Trini wanted to take you and asked first, what would you have said?"
"I don't know."
"Yeah." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I don't know either yet Tooey. It's a big decision and you're both my friends." He didn't say anything. Just stared straight ahead and sort of raised a hand to touch his cheek. Molly smiled and hopped down. "I'll let you know."
000
Molly met Trini outside the library where her dad worked. There was a little bench. When Trini saw her she smiled and said, "Hey Molly. Did you decide if you'd like to go with me to the dance?"
"I'm thinking about it. Um, Tooey sent me a letter too. It arrived with yours."
"Oh. Um, so are you going with him?"
"I haven't decided. I kind of wanted to ask you why you asked me."
She shrugged. "Because I like you, And who else would I ask? You're like the greatest girl ever."
"So… um… have you always liked girls?"
Trini kicked a little snow. Yeah. I mean I always thought boys were kind of icky. A lot of them back home were big old jerks. The guys around here seem nice enough, but I don't like them like them, you know?"
"But you like, like me?"
"Uh huh. A whole lot."
"How long have you felt that way?"
"Pretty much since we moved here. I didn't say anything because we were new and I was getting to know you, but when I saw you I thought you were the prettiest girl I ever saw. I mean I've had crushes before, but they were on like movie stars and girls I saw on TV or and this one girl who was like two grades ahead of me." She looked at Molly. "you don't think I'm weird do you?"
"No! You're great. I liked you when we met too. I just never thought if I… liked you, liked you, you know? But I don't have a problem with the idea."
She smiled. "Works for me. So want to go to the dance with me?"
"I'm still…"
"Yeah, you're still thinking it over. You are thinking about Tooey. Well Tooey's my friend too, but you're Molly. And I want to take Molly to the dance and dance all night, and then maybe go out again afterwards a lot." She reached over and squeezed Molly's hand. "I know it's going to hurt Tooey but if we go out this time or in the future that's going to just be the way it is. You're so cool and nice and beautiful. There's going to be lots and lots of people who like you Molly. If you go with Tooey I'm going to be sad too. Somebody has to lose out here and I'd rather it's not me. I'd still be your friend, but I'd rather be your girlfriend."
Wow. It was really impressive the way she just laid it all out like that. Tooey said a lot with silence, but Trini just said it. "Can I just have a couple more days to think about it? My mom and I have to pick up the dress. I promise I'll go with somebody. Just give me time to think. I wasn't planning on being asked at all."
Trini hesitated and then smiled, squeezing her hand again. "Sure. I can do that. Because you know obviously you're going to pick me."
"I am huh?"
'Don't you know? People from Texas can see the future."
Molly giggled. Then she leaned in and was going to give Trini a kiss on the cheek too. Only to her surprise Trini turned and instead Molly found their lips pressed together. They both froze for a moment and she jerked back blushing hugely.
Trini looked stunned and then grinned. "See?"
Molly started to say something and then just stood up and ran in the other direction. She looked back and saw Trini's uncertainty, but then their eyes met and they both smiled.
000
Two days later Molly had her dress picked out and safely put in a box. She also had two letters written out that her dad agreed to drop off for her. She would have done it herself, but if she ran into Trini and Tooey while doing it she would feel silly.
"You're sure you put enough thought into it Molls?" He asked before he left. He had seen the names on the envelopes.
She nodded. "Yeah, I know what I need to do. I was tempted to just say I wasn't old enough o decide or something and just ask them both, but I kind of already made my decision and it seemed unfair to leave them hanging. Especially since if I answer now the one I don't go with can at least try getting another date."
"That's fair. However this goes I'm proud of you Molly."
"You know so am I," she said.
The next day she met up with both of them. They each smiled at her and shot each other a grin. Molly walked forward. "So um, did you guys read your letters?"
"No," Tooey said. Molly looked at him. "I don't want to know until later. I thought it might be better if we just hang out like normal until we get closer to the dance."
Trini nodded. "Me too."
Molly rolled her eyes. "Great I make this big decision that could affect the rest of my life and you two chickens decide to leave me in suspense for another week?" They grinned at her and began flapping their arms and making chicken sounds. "Fine. Be that way. But if you're chickens, then I'm… a mountain lion!" She roared. The two chickens squawked and started running and she chased after them snarling and clawing.
000
The evening of the dance Molly stood in front of a mirror admiring a dress. It was several shades of pink and had ruffled skirts and was so girly. She loved it. she looked like a princess. Normally she would not be caught dead in something like this and next year she was sure she would do something with pants, but this was her first big dance and she was still young.
Her mother called up from down below. "Molly, your date is here!"
"I'll be right down." Taking a deep breath she twirled one more time and then hurried downstairs.
Her parents had stepped away from the door and as she came down Molly saw Trini standing on the step in a purple gown of her own, complete with a plastic tiara on her head painted silver with fake plastic jewels. She looked up at Molly and could not suppress a squee. "Oh my gosh, you look so pretty in that dress."
"Thanks. You look really great too. Like a princess."
"Well that's because you don't have a crown yet."
"Yet?"
Trini's mother and father were standing behind her. molly only noticed when her dad handed Trini something. It was a gold crown just like hers.
Molly felt her cheeks heat and her heart beat faster. She walked over, biting her lip and then bowed her head a little as Trini crowned her. Molly raised her head and saw tears in Trini's eyes and smiles on her parents' faces. Then she looked at her own family.
Her mom put a hand over her heart. She and her husband were dressed up too, but they only had eyes for her. "Molly you look amazing. And Trini… well the two of you together. You're practically glowing."
Trini smiled hugely. "Thanks."
"I take it you're coming to the dance," Trini's dad asked.
Molly's father said, "Of course, we wouldn't miss this for anything."
"I know the feeling. I got a pass for this when Trini told me last week that you agreed to go with her Molly."
Molly looked at Trini and raised an eyebrow. "Last week huh?"
"I told you. Future sight." Molly did not look convinced. "Okay I read the letter. Pretty much as soon as your dad out it in the box." She extended her arm and put on a fake English accent. "Now if my princess will accompany me to the ball…"
"It would be my honor, your majesty," molly said with a smile. They led the way while their parents followed behind. Molly wondered in Tooey had actually read his too.
She did not get the chance to ask. When they got to the dance he was not there. molly was disappointed, but not terribly surprised. Her letter had let him down easy. At least she had tried.
The thing was Tooey was Tooey. He was the brother she never had. They could sit quietly next to each other and say things without talking. They knew each other really well. He was and would always be her best friend.
Trini meanwhile was wild and straightforward and said what was on her mind. Molly liked that. A lot. And when they had kissed she knew deep down that she wanted to do it again, also a lot. Kissing Tooey had been a nice way to say she liked him. Kissing Trini had made her feel really amazing and overloaded so she had to run away and she had not stopped smiling for at least an hour afterwards. Just walking down the street with her in their dresses had her heart racing.
When they stepped into the town hall where the dance was being held she saw some of her other friends. They had paired off in a couple cases, but most of them seemed to be there alone. No surprise. They were all still pretty young. When they saw Trini and Molly coming in together they looked surprised, before suddenly rushing over to talk to them. They had questions. Some would be easy. Others hard.
Molly felt a icy spot on her heart, waiting to grow when someone noticed Tooey wasn't there and asked Molly about it. But she was ready. Making the choice had been the hard part. Second guessing herself would just mean insulting both her best friend and her… girlfriend. That last though made her smile and chipped a little more ice off that spot inside.
Actually with them all chattering away at once Molly never did get to answer their questions. The music started playing and Trini pushed their way through the crowd to the dance floor. Molly saw a few of the adults look at them a little funny, uncertain what to think, but a moment later she only had eyes for the girl in the silver tiara. It was not a slow song and Trini danced like she was on a sugar rush with bees in her dress, but then so did Molly so it was okay. later when they did play a slow song the two found themselves naturally taking up a position with one hand on the other's waist and the other on her shoulder and naturally stepping one ach other's toes the whole time.
"We need dancing lessons," Molly said.
Trini nodded. "Uh huh. Um do you want to stop dancing?"
She shook her head. "Nah, these shoes are pretty tough. Besides our dad's are here. If we can't walk home we can make them carry us."
"Good plan."
Later they were getting tired and it was time to go home. Their parents called them in and said it was getting close to bed time. They were saying goodbye. Trini leaned in and kissed Molly this time. It was just a quick peck and only lasted maybe five seconds, but they were both smiling when it ended.
"I've wanted to do that forever."
Molly said, "I'm kind of sorry you didn't. But we can make up for it later."
"Promise?"
"Just try and stop me." She saw Nina who had come after all. She was not done up fancy but she wore a nice dress and had danced a few times even with some of the locals. She caught Molly's eye obviously having seen everything and gave her a thumb's up. Molly nodded and the two of them left to follow their parents back home.
000
A few days later Molly and Trini were having a snowball fight when Tooey came walking up, hands in his pockets. They both froze, looking at him with worried expressions. He looked a little sad at first, but then he said, "If you two aren't too busy playing kissy-face, Nina just told me she found that baby moose."
Molly smiled. "She did? Great! I thought for sure he'd been eaten."
"Nope, though apparently he got lost again and ended up on the other side of the river from where they normally go. Nina wants to see if we can lead him upstream to the bridge to get them back together again."
Trini said, 'Fine, but this is the last time. If he gets lost again, I say we let the wolves have him."
"You don't mean that," Molly said.
"No, I don't," she admitted. "But I can still think it, especially if his mom chases us again." She pointed at Tooey with a gloved finger. "And for the record Molly and I aren't playing kissy-face. It's serious scientific research. One day we're going to get a Nobel prize and probably make a lot of money on sparkly lip gloss."
Molly laughed and he raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, whatever you say. Come on, let's go get trampled by an angry mama moose."
"Lead on fearless explorer," Molly said. "We wont' come back until we save that baby or we've got hoof prints on our faces. Forward hooooo!" She sang the last part. The other two cheered and they hurried on the catch up to Nina.
The End
Author's Note
While Molly's show does talk about native American Culture it's also true that they are not a static people who have not changed and evolved just like any other culture. Does it suck that invaders came in and took their land and destroyed a lot of their culture? Yes.
But it happens. The Romans spent centuries doing just that to half the planet. If the Aztecs had guns and boats first they wouldn't have hesitated to do it to Europe. Respecting other people's culture is a recent idea born largely from guilt.
As for Molly dating Trini I just think she and Tooey have a way too brother-sister vibe meanwhile the girls just seemed to hit it off from the start. Molly is a little naïve about things like that so I could see her missing it until Trini made a move and she would have to consider things, but overall they seem like the best couple. Molly doesn't spend all that much time with anyone else. I'm not saying right away and they certainly would not start out hot and heavy until they were much older but a crush and a few little things would be acceptable.
The bit about Sedna and Qailertetang is an actual Inuit story and there are others you can find with a little research. Sadly a lot of those tales were destroyed or altered along with a lot of other traditions when people tried to basically erase Native Alaskan culture. Sad but true. The same thing has happened to a lot of others. Historians and the like are trying to restore the lost tales, but it's hard going. Feel free to lend a hand.
Other famous couples include the Hawaiian demigoddess Hi'iaka and her girlfriend Hopoe and another sister of Pele named Pu'uhele and her girlfriend Puuomaiai, Malini and Parvati from India, Agido and Hagesichora in Greece, La Baleine and La Sirene two mermaids from voodoo lore, Budur and Lutf from the Arabian Nights, and many more.
If you do not have a problem with Molly and Trini as a couple you may want to lookup "The Lavender Fairy Tale Book" available now from Amazon.
For those who do have a problem with it, just out of curiosity did they do anything you would not have been okay with her doing with Tooey?