Page 23 of Once Upon a Christmas Carol

Carol moved the angle of her folding chair to focus on the people at her table instead of the dance floor.

She had no intention of gaping at Victor and Victoria as they worked the room.

They were obviously in their element and confident about their place in this crowd.

They were probably preparing to dance the night away.

More than ever she felt like an outsider, a misfit, and a wallflower.

If there was any way to gracefully slip out, she would gladly do so.

But how? Claim a headache? Call a taxi to take her home?

But then Maria would be stuck with the car.

Perhaps Antonia and Larry could give her a ride. The idea was tempting.

She turned to Maria and Antonia, who were engrossed in a conversation about their Christmas Eve plans.

And so Carol just excused herself to the little girls’ room, where she entered a stall and pulled out her phone.

Not that she had anyone to call. She briefly entertained the idea that a taxi could take her to the airport.

But besides it being unlikely any taxi would take her the whole way to Grand Rapids, she knew that would be a selfish plan, not to mention impossible to explain to her aunt.

How could she abandon Maria like that? And simply because she was having a bad evening.

Grow up , she told herself, reaching to unlatch the stall door. She paused at the sound of voices.

“Oh, Victoria,” a woman said lightly, “you’re too modest. We all agree that your gown is absolutely gorgeous. Perfection.”

“She’s just fishing for compliments,” another woman said a bit wryly.

“Maybe it’s because Victor didn’t even mention my dress when he picked me up.” Victoria sounded truly wounded.

“Well, seriously, Vicki,” a high-pitched voice retorted, “if there was a cotillion queen, the crown would go to you, so get over it.”

“Besides, you know men,” the first one added. “They’re always slow on the uptake when it comes to fashion.”

“Maybe so,” High Voice said, “but Victor sure looks nice tonight.”

“So stop fretting over it,” another said. “Count your blessings.”

The sound of running water muffled Victoria’s response.

“Yeah, he’s quite the catch,” High Voice said. “Just be thankful, girlfriend.”

“But he was so chilly to me tonight. And when I invited him in for drinks when he picked me up, he flat-out refused and said we had to go.”

“You’re overblowing this whole thing,” High Voice said. “Victor seems perfectly happy to be here with you. Just enjoy it.”

A flushing toilet drowned out Victoria’s response again.

“Cheer up,” one of them said. “I’ll bet he was just nervous.”

Victoria huffed. “What does he have to be nervous about?”

“Jason told me he’s getting ready to pop the question,” High Voice said.

“Seriously?” Victoria’s tone brightened. “Jason said that?”

“Yep. And he’s Victor’s best friend. He should know.”

“I sure hope third time’s the charm for you,” High Voice said with an exasperated tone. “I draw the line at being maid of honor more than three times.”

The others all laughed.

“I can’t believe you’re in here having a pity party. Good grief, girl, looks like you’ll get a diamond for Christmas.” More exasperation.

All the women took turns razzing and congratulating their “poor” friend. And finally, to Carol’s relief, the noisy flock exited the bathroom.

Feeling guilty for eavesdropping, yet trying to process what she’d just overheard, Carol emerged from the stall and washed her hands. Then, as a pair of older women came in bickering about the number of calories in storebought eggnog, she quietly slipped out.

Larry’s eyes lit up when Carol returned to the table. “Dance?” he asked. Unsure how to respond, she looked to Antonia, who just shrugged, and then to her aunt, who was chuckling.

“Why not?” Maria asked.

“Okay.” Carol smiled at Larry, who was already struggling to stand.

With the help of his wife and Carol, he was soon on his feet and taking Carol’s hand, shuffling out to the dance floor, where a rather lively tune was playing.

Uncertain Larry could keep up with the beat, she decided to just follow his lead.

But to her surprise, he began moving a bit more limberly out there.

Holding on to her — partly for support, she felt certain—he continued to shuffle her out to the center of the floor, grinning the whole while.

She didn’t even flinch each time he stepped on her toes, but when he started weaving to one side, she worried about his balance and held him a bit tighter.

She glanced back at the table, which suddenly seemed about a mile away, then tried to direct him back in that direction, but he was leaning even more now, precariously close to falling.

She tried not to imagine the humiliation if they both tumbled to the floor. And, she worried, what if he got hurt?

She was about to stop the dance and beg someone for help when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Victor putting a firm arm around his dad’s waist. “Can I break in?” he asked with a big grin.

“Yes,” she gasped in relief. “I think we could use a hand.”

“Dance?” Larry smiled at his son.

“Yes.” Victor nodded, still holding on to his dad. “Let’s all dance.”

“Yes.” Larry nodded eagerly. “Dance.” He didn’t seem to mind the help but was still clinging tightly to Carol.

Somehow, to Carol’s enormous relief, Victor managed to dance the three of them back to the table and, after peeling his dad’s hands off of Carol, got the old guy seated. Both Antonia and Maria looked shocked but were soon giggling over what must’ve been quite a spectacle.

“I’m sorry,” Antonia whispered to Carol. “I should’ve said no, but Larry was so happy and having such a good time.”

“We did have fun.” Carol patted Larry’s hand. “Thank you for the dance. I will remember it always.”

He nodded as if he understood, but his expression was vague. Antonia put an arm around him. “You probably wore yourself out cutting the rug like that out there, Larry.” She pushed a cup toward him. “Have some punch.”

Victor turned to Carol now. “How about finishing that dance with me?” he asked. “Unless my dad objects.”

“Go,” his mother whispered to him. “Poor Carol deserves a good dance after that.”

So Victor took her hand and led her back out.

Another lively song was playing, but to her pleasure, Victor was a good dancer.

And she suddenly was grateful for the cowboy swing lessons she’d taken in her twenties.

Before long, they were swinging and spinning, and it was pure fun.

The song ended with a twirl that wound her into his arms, nearly knocking him off-balance.

“Taking after your dad?” she teased, and they both burst out laughing.

“Hey, he used to be quite a dancer,” Victor told her. “Taught me everything I know.”

“He’s such a sweet guy. I can imagine that.” She glanced around, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “And thanks for the dance, but I have a feeling your, uh, Victoria will be wanting to dance—”

“Vicki isn’t much into dancing tonight,” he told her. “I guess her fancy dress makes it difficult. So no worries.” The next song was starting, another peppy one, and he reached for her hand. “Go again?”

She shrugged. “Why not?”

So, for the second time, they swung and twirled, and every move he initiated, she finished, as if it had been choreographed.

She couldn’t remember ever having this much fun on the dance floor.

When the next song began, he was still holding her hand, insisting on “one more.” But this one was a slow dance.

Still, he didn’t miss a beat as he took her in his arms, holding her close.

As they moved gracefully together, she felt herself melting .

.. and falling ... not on the ground .

.. in love perhaps? No, of course not, she chided herself as she spotted Victoria nearby.

The thought was ridiculous. Victoria was dancing with one of her friends, but she didn’t seem to be enjoying herself.

Instead, she was staring daggers at Carol and Victor. But Carol just looked the other way.

When the song ended, Carol told Victor she needed a break. She felt quite flushed and warm but not from the dancing. She knew she could dance all night with him without complaining. Well, unless Victoria killed her. “I need something cool to drink,” she said.

“Me too.” He led her to the refreshment table where they got drinks and donuts and then he escorted her back to Maria and his parents, pulling out her chair before sitting down with them.

As Victor made congenial conversation, Carol glanced toward Victoria, who was now standing with her girlfriends and definitely simmering.

Carol was tempted to remind Victor about his date but wasn’t quite sure how.

After all, he was a grown man. If he wasn’t worried, why should she be?

“You two danced beautifully,” Antonia told them.

“Yes,” Maria agreed, “you should go out there again. It was a pleasure to watch you.” She pointed to Carol. “I knew Victor was an exceptional dancer, but I had no idea you were so talented.”

Carol confessed to having had lessons. “But it was ages ago. I didn’t even know that I remembered.”

“Well, you were a natural,” Antonia said.

“I always thought that was a good dancing dress,” Maria told her.

“And very pretty too,” Victor added with a twinkle in his eyes. “Want to go again?”

“Let me finish my punch,” she said. Then seeing a flash of pale blue moving toward her, she set down her drink and braced herself.

“Victor,” Victoria said primly. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I thought maybe you’d gone home.”

Carol bit her tongue, controlling herself from calling Victoria’s bluff. She’d just observed Victoria glaring at them.

“Just visiting with my folks here,” he told her casually. “Care to join us?”

“No, thank you.” She folded her arms in front of her. “Would you care to join me with my friends?”