The Ball
Finally, the day had come.
The date was set, invitations extended, and finally, the
moment arrived.
It was the most anticipated, most talked about social event
of the season, a ball. Fancy clothes, pointed pinky finger hors d’oeuvres,
punch to sip, and dancing.
It would be unlike any other before, and would set the
precedent for every other after.
A vision of loveliness, she chose a white dress with a
black-dotted organza overlay. It was softly gathered at the waistline, belted
by a thin black ribbon and embellished with a single red rose. The ensemble was
polished off with black patent shoes, and on her slender wrist, his gift, a red
carnation compassed about with white baby’s breath. Her sandy-blond hair was
shiny and smooth, falling lightly on her shoulders.
Yes, she was nothing short of an angelic vision of
loveliness.
She’d seen him in his gray suit, with the stiff-collared
shirt, and tie, but only on the most special of occasions. He looked every bit
her handsome gentleman caller, on this, their very own most special occasion.
She felt like Cinderella.
He intended to set the bar high enough that any potential
prince charming from that point forward, would be measured in her mind by his
high bar standard. Any potential prince charming would forever be forced to
rival him. He was making it clear it would be no easy task to bump him out of
his position as her top guy, exponentially narrowing the field.
There was no danger of the magic of their special evening
wearing off, not by midnight, not ever. She’d be snuggled into her bed long before,
even while long past the normal bedtime for her five year old self.
Though she’d fall
asleep quickly enough after such an enchanting event, she would still be
dancing with daddy in her dreams. A little spin, a little dip, a little hand
holding at their first daddy-daughter dance.
Magic really does happen, just ask her.
And daddy, don’t you ever stop believing you are a
magic-maker.
Don’t ever give in to the idea that you might just like to “sit
this one out”, because you know, the eyes she has for only you right now, will
be inclined to ponder new possibilities.
And daddy, be very careful,
because one day, sooner than you ever imagined,
she will give her dance card to another.
P.J.
