The Joining Tree

by Claire Fogel

  He laughed. “Yeah, I remember. I felt like my best friend had just been replaced by an alien who only looked like you.”

  Sean and Amy were both nodding. They’d seen it too and had reacted the same way.

  Amy asked, “How did your dad react? I’ll bet he was sorry he didn’t go with you.”

  “Yeah, definitely. He said he would never let us go out of town by ourselves again.” I rolled my eyes. “That will have to change!”

  Amy added, “At least he knows you can take care of yourself now.”

  Sean’s attitude toward me had warmed up a little after that, but otherwise, school continued as usual—just something to get through as far as I was concerned.

  A week later spring break began, giving me an entire week to draw and paint until darkness chased me indoors.

  I tried not to think about last year’s spring break, when Sean and I met and began our relationship. It seemed like a time of such promise, and I remembered how excited I’d been as Sean and I got to know each other. It was also a time of discovery, as I began to learn who my father was and where he’d been all my life.

  So much had happened since then.

  Amy and Randi both tried to interest me in senior year social activities, but I didn’t feel I had time. I only had about two months before the next art show. All I really wanted to do was paint. Even my parents gave me the “all work and no play” lecture, but I was determined not to be distracted.

  By the time spring break was over and I headed back to school, I had four more watercolor paintings completed, and I’d begun four more pen and ink drawings. Spring was budding everywhere and I’d had good weather so I’d been in the forest every day with my portable easel and paints. I had even been able to capture some of the forest’s wildlife in my paintings, mainly deer and rabbits.

  Miss Burrows was pleased with my watercolors. I had been experimenting with texture, with layering my watercolors, creating shadows and playing with my brush technique. I was enjoying it all so much, my hours painting in the woods simply flew by. Occasionally, I was aware that Conor and Gavin were near, watching me work, but they always left without a word, unwilling to disturb me.

  I rode Storm to Elvenwood most weekends, working in the apple orchard as well as out in the old orchard where Rowenna visited with me. I took advantage of the apple trees and the distant mountains for my pen and ink drawings.

  One afternoon after I’d sung her song, Rowenna wanted to talk.

  Cara, you seem to be putting all of yourself into your drawing and painting. You haven’t brought a friend to visit in a long time. You feel far away to me.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve really been concentrating on my artwork, not on anything else. I’m preparing for another art show, trying to get as much work done as possible.”

  I think you are also using your art to hide the hurt I know you’re feeling. You’ve shut everyone out, haven’t you?

  She was right.

  “I haven’t wanted to think about what I’ve lost. I thought it was better to put all that emotion down on paper, where I can turn it into something beautiful rather than something that makes me sad.”

  She nodded her big head, her golden eyes sympathetic. You should never give up hope, my young friend. Never.

  With that final word of advice, she lifted her huge wings and rose into the sky, taking her special magic with her. I watched as she disappeared behind the purple mountains.

  Never give up hope? What? I should cry myself to sleep every night for the rest of my life? No way. Adam was gone. There wasn’t another man on the planet I would ever want. I had to accept it and move on. After putting all my feelings into my paintings and drawings, I had nothing left over.

  There was only one more month of school left when Sean reminded me about something I’d completely forgotten.

  School was over for the day and I was heading out to my car with Kevin when Sean ran up to us. “Cara, could I speak to you for a minute?”

  Kevin said, “I’ll wait by your car.” I threw him my keys and he grinned and continued down the block. He seemed to know something I didn’t.

  “What’s up, Sean?”

  He didn’t answer right away, just stood there looking unsure of himself, which was rare.

  Finally, he said, “Cara, our prom is in another week.” He hesitated, frowning. “I know you wanted me to date other girls, and I’ve tried, but our senior prom is too special. I don’t think I’d enjoy it with anyone but you. Please say you’ll let me take you to prom. It would mean a lot to me.”

  Prom. I’d completely forgotten. I’d been tuning out everything but my artwork. I realized I’d spent almost no time with my friends lately.

  I took Sean’s hand. “I’d forgotten about prom. And you’re right. It’s too special to ignore. I’d love to go with you. It’s formal, right?”

  He was now wearing that killer smile I’d been so attracted to a year ago. “Right. It’s formal. I’m really happy you want to go, Cara. If you hadn’t said yes, I think I would have stayed home.”

  Wow. It meant that much to him.

  “Well, now I can make my mother happy too.” I laughed. “She loves to get me into a dress. Thanks for asking me. I’ve been so wrapped up in getting ready for the next art show, I’ve been tuning everything else out.”

  With one blond eyebrow raised, he said, “I’ve noticed. Everyone’s noticed.”

  I shook my head. There was such a thing as being too single-minded, I guess.

  Of course, Amy and Kevin were going to prom. Amy couldn’t believe I’d forgotten all about it.

  “Cara, this is the pinnacle of our high school years! When will we ever have a chance to celebrate together again?”

  Once Amy was sure I was on board, she asked, “So what are you wearing? Are you getting a new dress? You know, the dress you wore for your parents’ wedding was beautiful. Are you going to recycle it for prom?”

  I almost shuddered. The memories attached to that dress were more than I could bear. I would never wear it again.

  “No, I think I’ll ask Mom to buy me a new dress. You already know that I’ve been trying to change my style this year. Want to go shopping with us?”

  “Absolutely! I already have my dress. Wait ‘til you see it! But I’d love to help you pick out yours.”

  My mother was all smiles when I said I needed a new dress for prom.

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to go,” she admitted.

  “Well, Sean talked me into it. He said if I didn’t go with him, he’d stay home. I couldn’t do that to him.”

  With a sigh, I added, “I guess prom isn’t an occasion I should miss.”

  “Good. How about Van Horn’s tomorrow night? Is Amy joining us?”

  I laughed. “Yes, the queen of shoppers will be with us, Mom. Can we eat at The Grille after shopping?”

  My mother smiled. “Of course. That’s become our tradition, hasn’t it?”

  Our shopping trip was a success. Since Mom still saw me as her little girl, Amy over-ruled her and picked out my dress for prom. It was a very grown-up black and white strapless number that fit perfectly. It had a black satin strapless top and a flared white chiffon skirt. Since I’m still averse to high heels, I chose white sandals with only a one and a half inch heel. I was reasonably sure I wouldn’t break an ankle in them.

  Amy just shook her head. “When it comes to shoes, you’re hopeless.”

  It took my mother a few minutes to admit the strapless dress looked good on me.

  “Cara, I know you’re growing up. It’s just hard for me to get used to. You’ll understand when you’re a mom.” I thought she looked a little sad.

  I rolled my eyes. Not much chance of that happening.

  Amy had talked me into an appointment at the best salon in town for prom. She was determined to have her hair blown into a straight style, something she’d never managed to accomplish with her short, curly hair, and we both agreed that something had to be done with my lo
ng, thick hair. My mother had thrown her hands in the air helplessly when I said I wanted something as sophisticated as my strapless black and white dress.

  Amy insisted we both use the same stylist, a young man Amy described as a “genius.” Carlos was a short, slim man in his twenties who greeted us with a smile.

  “Well, who wants to be first?” he asked us.

  Amy hopped up into his chair. “Would you please straighten out these curls? I want my hair sleek and sophisticated, like Jennifer Lawrence’s style from a few years ago. Know which one I mean?” she asked.

  He nodded with a smile. “That will be a perfect look for you.”

  When he was done, Amy looked like a new person. I was so used to her curly red hair, which she’d always kept short, I couldn’t believe the difference the new hairstyle made.

  Beaming, Amy got out of his chair and said, “Okay, Carlos, let’s see what magic you can create for my best friend.”

  He seated me and ran his fingers through my thick hair. Nodding, he said, “You want to wear it up, right?”

  I described my black and white strapless dress and told him I wanted my hair to look as grown up as my dress.

  He grinned. “Well, not too grown up, I hope. How about young and breathtaking?”

  I had to laugh. “That sounds good.”

  After he washed my hair, he blew it dry and began pinning it up loosely. He braided a few sections and used his curling iron on all the other sections. After curling a few fine tendrils along my face, he wove the braids through the mass of curls cascading from the top of my head and pinned them in place.

  When he stepped back to let me see the finished style, I was amazed.

  Amy’s mouth was hanging open. “Cara, you look like a princess in a romantic fairy tale. Sean will be speechless, for once!”

  As Carlos helped me out of his chair, two more girls from our class came in the door, stopping short when they saw us, their mouths hanging open.

  We paid a smiling Carlos, who whispered, “You two are my best advertisements. Don’t forget to tell your friends who did your hair. Have a wonderful time tonight, young ladies.”

  Back in my car, I drove us to Amy’s house where we polished each other’s nails in a pearl white shade and feasted on Mrs. Strauss’ just made cream puffs. Amy’s parents paid us lavish compliments, insisting we both looked like movie stars.

  When I got home late in the afternoon, both my parents were sitting in the kitchen, apparently waiting for me. Mom smiled approvingly, but my dad seemed to be speechless.

  I smiled. “I gather you both like my transformation, yes?”

  Mom said, “Sweetheart, I’m so glad you decided to go to prom. You look perfect, or you will once you put that beautiful dress on. I’ll help you dress so you don’t mess up that gorgeous hairstyle.”

  Mom knew I’d be dancing at Prom so she’d thrown together a chicken salad that was one of my favorites and wouldn’t fill me up too much. And then it was time to get myself dressed for Prom.

  After helping me put my gown on, she insisted on loaning me her antique pearl necklace with its matching earrings. “They’re perfect, Mom. Thanks.” She smiled and hugged me.

  When I finally walked downstairs, my father sprang out of his chair and just stared at me. Mom chuckled behind me. “I think your father is a little overwhelmed, dear. Give him a minute. Or two.”

  He walked up to me, took my hand and kissed it. His voice was soft. “You make a father proud, dear.”

  On the dot of seven o’clock, there was a knock on the front door. I took a deep breath and opened the door to find Sean, incredibly handsome in a white dinner jacket, black bowtie, and black slacks, a perfect complement to my black and white dress. His thick blond hair slicked back and just grazing his collar, Sean looked like a model for GQ Magazine.

  His warm brown eyes widened as he gazed at me, from top to bottom, and he simply whispered, “Wow.”

  From behind me, I heard my mother say, “You two look like a matched pair tonight. Please come in, Sean.” Naturally, she had her camera ready.

  My father greeted Sean, shaking his hand and smiling. “Alicia is right. You make a handsome couple.”

  Sean turned to me and handed me a box containing a white gardenia, just as he had a year ago when he took me to my first dance.

  Mom said, “I’d suggest we pin that lovely gardenia into your hair, Cara, just above your ear. That way you can both enjoy its scent tonight.” She smiled as I realized that the gardenia would be just below Sean’s nose when we danced. My mother thought of everything.

  She tucked the satiny white flower into the curls just above my ear, and after she took more pictures, we left.

  As we walked to Sean’s car, I don’t think either one of us knew quite what to say. As he helped me into the car, he leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, Cara. You make me weak in the knees.”

  How does a girl respond to a compliment like that? I felt my face getting hot.

  He came around and got in on the driver’s side, still shaking his head as he smiled at me.

  I couldn’t help grinning. “Sean, you were made for that dinner jacket. Every other girl at Prom will be shooting daggers at me tonight.” I chuckled. “Not that that’s anything new, you know.”

  His face a bit red, he said, “I don’t think anyone will be looking at me tonight.”

  Our Prom was being held at the Thornewood Country Club, which was next door to Randi’s condo complex. I’d never been to the Country Club before; Mom and I had never traveled in such well-to-do circles.

  After a uniformed valet helped me out of the car, I took Sean’s arm and we walked into the Country Club’s plush ballroom. It was a gorgeous place with large potted trees and plants placed on the marble tiled floor all around the room, and tiny twinkle lights threaded through the branches.

  The level of conversation dropped a bit when Sean and I walked in, looking for our assigned table. I could almost feel the stares as we walked across the ballroom to the white linen-covered table where Amy was waving at us. She and Kevin had arrived early, as usual.

  Kevin looked truly handsome in a dinner jacket. Amy must have tamed his curly hair, and as he stood up to greet us, I realized that his lean body had finally caught up with his long arms and legs. At about six feet three inches tall, Kevin was every bit as handsome as Sean, but more Sports Illustrated than GQ.

  Smiling, Sean shook Kevin’s outstretched hand. “Lookin’ good, Kev. You really clean up well.” Snorting, Kevin just said, “You too, man.”

  Looking me up and down, Kevin smiled. “Welcome back, short stuff. We’ve missed you. Oh, and by the way, you look great!” He gave me a quick one-armed hug.

  When Amy stood up, I gasped. She belonged on the cover of Vogue. Her new hairstyle with the long, side-swept bangs was perfect with her burnt orange satin slip dress. The color was perfect with her red hair, and the satiny fabric glided down her tall, slender body like it was made for her.

  “Amy, I wish my mom could see you now! You look fabulous. We’ve got to get more pictures taken tonight.” I chuckled. “After all, we may never look this good again!”

  We sat down at the table just as Randi and Dion arrived, both looking totally gorgeous. Dion had also gone the dinner jacket route, looking very cool. Randi was wearing a dark red silk off-the-shoulder dress that accented her lush curves. It was the perfect color for her dark hair and eyes.

  Before long, waiters began serving salads, filling our goblets with ice water, and the band began to play background music as photographers moved from table to table, snapping pictures.

  Randi whispered, “I hope the band plays some music we can dance to. I’m afraid what they’re playing now would put us all to sleep.”

  Amy said, “I’ve heard the Country Club has a great band, Randi. Members of this Country Club aren’t all old farts, you know.” Randi giggled. “Good to know.”

  After a wonderful dinner o
f broiled salmon and rice pilaf, we enjoyed ice cream topped with raspberries.

  The band took a brief break and returned, sporting sunglasses and fedoras, the “Blues Brothers” look.

  Randi was all smiles as she pulled Dion up from the table. Soon most of our class was on the large dance floor, and we joined them. Amy and Kevin looked outstanding together.

  Sean moved well for a big guy. He insisted I made him look good. For the record, Sean had never needed any help looking good.

  As the night went on, the band played more slow songs, and the ballroom’s lights were dimmed, making the already beautiful setting even more romantic. Feeling Sean’s arms around me, I automatically cuddled up to him and heard him sigh. I told myself I wasn’t really leading him on, I was just enjoying dancing with him. After all, it was prom.

  When I felt him lean down to kiss my forehead, I realized I should have been keeping a bit more distance between us. But I hadn’t been held like this, or kissed, in months, and I’d always loved the way he smelled of sandalwood and soap. I couldn’t deny how good it felt being close to him.

  I refused to think about that other mind-blowing kiss I’d had. After all, that man, or Elf, had left me the very next day.

  We continued dancing, our arms wrapped around each other, until the lights began to blink and the band began playing “Moonlight,” which was our Prom’s theme.

  Our magical night at Prom was ending. I had enjoyed every minute of it.

  On our way out, Randi invited us over to her condo for more dancing. “We’ve got a great sound system and a very cool vinyl collection. I hope you’ll all come over. Prom doesn’t have to be over just yet!”

  “Sounds good to me,” Sean said with a smile. “Okay with you, Cara?”

  It was still early, only ten-thirty, so I agreed. More dancing sounded perfect.