Twenty one
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The next week flew by and construction almost came to a halt. Eddie informed the crews the building would be closed for the next two Fridays. He saw no reason to open Christmas Eve day or New Years Eve. The last, large, wrapped box under the tree announced Tanya was getting a Shop-Vac for Christmas. Each jewelry box was neatly wrapped inside. Christmas morning brought squeals of delight as Tanya opened each small box. Nicole helped her mother adorn herself with the diamonds.“ Eddie this is too much,” she said, staring at her reflection in the downstairs entryway mirror.“ My wife taught me how to shop, and they will look great with the dress,” he said, standing behind her.“ What dress?” Nicole asked.
Tanya informed her daughter they were going out for New Years. Nicole’ s request to see how her mother would look for this event, since she would not be present, encouraged Tanya to see for herself the complete ensemble. She went upstairs and changed clothing. The full length mirror offered a view she only imagined before this very moment. Tanya was glad she made an appointment to have her hair done right after purchasing the dress.“ My hair is not done and I’ m not wearing make-up so you will just have to imagine that part,” She said descending the stairs while her family waited in the living room.
Tanya stepped through the doorway and gave a slow twirl. She received a round of applause from her admirers, after a moment of total silence.“ You have to get some pictures before you leave,” Nicole insisted.“ We can probably get the chauffeur to take a picture,” Tanya said.“ You hired a limo?” Justin asked.“ The couple hosting the celebration hired the service. Sam and John want everyone to have a good time,” Tanya explained.“ You’ re going to a gay party?” Nicole asked in amazement. Tanya had to pause for a moment.“ No. Sam is short for Samantha,” she laughed. Nicole blushed and Tanya turned to leave. She had a turkey in the oven and it needed basting.
Eddie whistled, offering his thoughts in the way of a cat-call.“ That is no way to get a lady’ s attention,” Tanya admonished. Eddie began to howl and pant. Nicole and Tanya rolled their eyes and Justin started to laugh and joined his father.“ Boys!” Tanya said to her daughter and exited. Nicole nodded. The gown was returned to the closet and Tanya put on her jeans, blouse and tennis shoes. She left the diamonds in place, loving how they felt against her skin. Nicole and Justin were learning yoga and laughing to the new Wii-fit video game. Eddie joined her in the kitchen.“ Eddie, I have to know what you paid for this,” Tanya said seriously.“ What did you pay for this?” he asked, holding up his wrist.“ Fifteen hundred,” she admitted.“ Twelve. I guess we both did well,” he said.“ No way Eddie,” she said. He kept the tags and receipts in case something did not fit. He pulled his wallet and fished out the items in question.“ Actually I was embarrassed by how little I paid. I was hoping for necklace and, maybe, earrings. When I got the matching bracelet I thought you would be happy.” Tanya scanned the tags. The prices ranged from nine to seventeen hundred dollars. The receipt showed the discounts.“ Oh Eddie, this is the best Christmas ever. Now I can wear these proudly. Anyone can walk in and throw money away.” When Eddie asked about the price of the gown, Tanya balked. Eddie pointed out the fact that if they had gone out to one of those hundred dollar per person extravaganzas, they would have spent about three thousand dollars over the last fifteen years. Plus, he knew she would never pay retail for anything, no matter how beautiful it was.“ You don’ t mind that I paid five hundred dollars for a fifteen hundred dollar gown?” she asked.“ It looks like a million on you. We will look like we belong at the party,” he said. He embraced Tanya with a long, passionate kiss and assured her the expenditure was expected.“ You are going to have to take me out, somewhere appropriate, so I can wear it again,” she said. Eddie nodded and headed for the family room to play games with Justin.
Nicole joined her mother in the kitchen to lend a hand. Rich arrived after dinner to bring Nicole’ s gift. He apologized for his bad behavior and Nicole forgave him. The pink star sapphire ring helped to mend her wounded self-esteem.