A New Home (part 7) by Cyndi Woods

As Felicity stared wide eyed at the long glittery pink evening gown that Roger held up by a hanger. Her hands covered her mouth and she said a muffled “Oh Roger!” He stood smiling and after a minute of standing on the porch he said “Can I come in and put this stuff down?” She backed away from the door and exclaimed “Yes, of course, come in.” He stepped inside and handed Felicity the roses and went over to the hall closet. Opening the door slightly, he hung the floor length dress on the top of the door. He turned back to her and she stood dumbfounded and simply couldn’t say a word.

  

“Ya might want to put those in water” he explained gesturing to the flowers. She looked down at them still saying nothing and nodded. Walking to the kitchen she retrieved the one and only vase she owned. Her Grandparents had sent her pink roses just like these for her sweet sixteen. It was the only gift she received and certainly the only time she had gotten flowers. The vase was a clear pink glass that had a scalloped rim at the top. This was the only second time it had been used. She took the roses out of the wrapping and laid them on the counter. Never looking at Roger she took the vase to the sink and filled it with water. “Felicity… do you like roses?” He asked, a little concerned that maybe she didn’t. Keeping her back to him she nodded again. She returned to the roses and took out a pair of kitchen scissors, she began trimming each stem and placing it carefully in the vase.

“Felicity” Roger prompted, “Did you get to look at the dress?” he was confused at her reaction. He knew she would be surprised but he hadn’t counted on total silence. She paused in her trimming and laid the rose on the counter. She finally looked at him. “I’ll go look at it right now.” She said. Going back into the living room, she stood in front of the dress. Roger watched her carefully. She took both sides of the dress and lifted it slightly away from the door. She dropped it back in place and just wept. Hands covering her face now and body shaking sobs she couldn’t control her emotions. Roger went to her. Taking her by the shoulders he pressed her against him. “Shhh, Felicity, it’s okay.” He said in a whisper. “I wanted to make you happy with this, not make you cry.” He told her. Snapping her head up to meet his gaze she said “Oh Roger, I am happy! So, so happy!” she told him quickly. “But…but how… when…” she stumbled. A look of relief washed Rogers face and he exhaled. “Well first tell me if you like the dress.” He said. Turning her attention back to it she said “Oh my. Roger it’s exactly what I imagined I would get but never thought would be possible.” She confessed through tears. “But how could you know to get me a dress like this?” she asked. “Oh, I don’t know, you just look like a pretty in pink kind of girl.” He said with a half-smile and a tilted head.

  

Felicity’s smile faded just a bit as she said “But Roger, I can’t pay for the dress.” Roger’s smile faded completely, “Felicity, I didn’t expect for you to pay for it. I picked this dress out for you as a gift, I want you to be my date for prom. I want you… to…,” he trailed off. “You want me to… what?” she asked quietly. He turned away from her and paused. Turning back to her he said, “I want you to be my girl.” He told her with hope in his eyes. Fresh tears sprang up in her eyes. She looked at the dress again and had an image of walking into their senior prom on Roger’s arm as not just his date but HIS girl, in the dress he had bought for her. What other girl there would be able to say that their date bought them a dress to ensure they could go. She turned back to him and stepped towards him. “I… would love to wear this dress and go to prom with you… as your girl,” she told him. He smiled and took both of her hands in his. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me see how that dress looks on you?” he said knowing what her answer would be. “No way!” she said laughing. “You will just have to wait until prom.” She said smiling at him. Roger let go of her hands and stepped over to the door. “Oh, I forgot the box on the porch.” He opened the door, reached down and picked it up. Turning back, he handed it to her. Felicity took it over to the couch, sat down and lifted the top. Inside were the most beautiful rose-gold shoes. They were strappy and glittery with just a small two inch heal. “Oh,” Felicity breathed. “I hope those are the right size,” Roger said. Taking one out, Felicity slipped it on. Feeling like Cinderella she looked up at him and said with a smile “Perfect!” He smiled. “I hope the dress fits just as well.” He said, looking at it again. “I kinda guessed on the size, you are pretty close to my sister’s size.”

  

“I’ll try it on tonight so I can let you know tomorrow,” she told him. “Well, I have one last gift for you,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket. “Oh Roger you’ve given me enough! It’s more than I could have dreamed,” she said but he handed her the envelope anyway. Taking it and turning it over, she slid the flap open and retrieved the contents. She looked up at him, puzzled. “You made me a hair appointment?”  “Yeah, my Aunt is a hair dresser and she wanted to give you this as a gift. She owns that shop,” he explained, pointing to the card. She looked at it again. “But… she doesn’t even know me. Why…”  her question hung in the air. “She just wants to do this for you Felicity. I know it’s not something your used to but some people just want to do things for other people because it’s a good thing to do,” he said. She stood placing her shoes and card beside her on the couch. She went to Roger and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Roger thank you. Thank you for giving me my Cinderella night,” she expressed into his shoulder. “The night isn’t here yet,” Roger teased. “It is for me.” She said closing her eyes. He pulled her away to look at her and said, “It’s only two weeks away.” “I know,” she smiled up at him. He stared into her eyes and saw real joy there. It made him fall in love with her right then. Tipping his head slightly, he placed a gentle light kiss to her lips. “Gotta get goin’, see ya tomorrow.” And with that he left.

  

The days flew by and before she knew it, prom was the next day. Felicity and Roger spent lots of time together but he was careful not to take her away from what her father expected her to do. He didn’t want to cause trouble for her. Felicity’s dad didn’t seem to object to them spending time together. She did notice that her father hadn’t been quite so temperamental lately. He also wasn’t getting angry at her as much. She even burned another dinner and all he said was “Well I guess that’s goin’ in the trash” and actually made himself a sandwich. She remembered that he had told her he left the items out so she could make one too.

Things were just different at her house somehow. As she sat at lunch that day she reflected over the last couple weeks. Her father had been eating out a couple times a week, he didn’t blow up at her when she burned dinner, he even said thank you one night after she had put his laundry in his room. What was happening? After prom she would have to figure that out. For the moment, she just wanted to enjoy the event. Roger walked her home as usual. “Well,” he said. “Tomorrow’s the big day!” “Yeah, I’m so excited,” she said squeezing his hand. “Me too,” he agreed, swinging their joined hands a little. He gave her a quick kiss goodbye as he left her on the porch and she watched him head back down the road. Going inside she discovered that her father was already home. She hadn’t even noticed his truck. Yet here he sat on the couch. He wasn’t alone.