“Did everyone else come with a date?” with Charles Sumner please.
This did not go in a direction either of us probably anticipated, but I’m on this particular kick lately and I cannot help myself:
the invitation grasped firmly in his hands, still in utter disbelief that he
was going. Yes, he had befriended George Ticknor ages before, and had attended
countless parties thrown by Ticknor and his wife. It was commonly accepted in
and around Boston that any party that the Ticknor’s threw was considered the
event of the year, and to be invited was a great honor. Once again, Charles had made their list. Despite that fact, it was still a shock to him that
people seemed to enjoy his company at all. Self-doubt was crippling that way,
and though he agonized over the intrusive thoughts, he accepted the invitation
far from them, so he decided to walk, hoping it would help calm his nerves. He found
himself in the main hall about 15 minutes later, a little cold but no worse for
wear. Before he had even fully pulled his coat off, a familiar voice rang out
from down the hall. “Charles!”
looked positively radiant at the foot of the stairs, waving him over as
excitedly as propriety allowed. “I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispered as he
stepped beside her. “I hear the Ticknors have a special surprise for us this
asked, vaguely curious. His main goal for the evening was simply trying to survive
it, but if the Ticknors had some sort of Christmas surprise, that could
potentially be a bit of fun.
what, but I have some guesses.” Fanny grinned, taking his arm.
moment he noticed something important was missing from the scene. “Where’s
with Corny, I’d wager. Or sampling the wine table,” she laughed, giving his arm
standing here all by yourself?” he asked, patting her hand gently.
myself every once in a while. Though present company is certainly a marked
improvement.” Charles’ cheeks reddened at that, but he smiled all the same.
two of them made their way to the main ballroom. Henry, sure enough, was off to
the side, sipping a glass of red wine. The Ticknors were parading around the
room triumphantly, King and Queen of their own tiny little kingdom. Friends and
acquaintances alike were dancing the night away or talking happily in the
corners. Children ran around the room, firing off poppers and playing games. It
was picture perfect, like something out of a story book.
itself was filled with garlands of holly draped artfully along the walls, and wreaths
hanging quaintly in the windows. In the center of the room stood a table, with
a large screen standing upon it. Beside the screen were sundry presents, each
addressed to one of the young boys and girls in attendance. Charles wondered
what was hidden behind the screen, but Fanny seemed even more curious than he
Fanny now by his side, Charles seemed to visibly relax, though something tugged at the back
of his mind. He couldn’t place it at first, but as more and more people
trickled in, he realized just how paired off all the adults in the room were.
finally asked, after chatting away with her and Henry for a while. “It could be
my imagination, but… did everyone else come with a date?”
the room. It wasn’t entirely the
case. It would have been almost impossible for Charles to be the only one
present without a plus one. There were certainly others in his shoes, but far
less than one would expect at such a large party. Even the teenagers in the
room seemed to have paired off for dancing and courting- their parents keeping
close, watchful eyes on them.
taking Charles’ hand. “Not quite... Tom certainly didn’t.”
brother had also come to the party alone, but unlike Charles he savored being
the center of attention and found himself surrounded by a large group of admirers.
putting the glass of wine down and squeezing Charles’ arm reassuringly. “You’re
not alone, Carlos. Especially with us.”
Charles nodded, unconvinced.
pressed. “You’re one of us, aren’t you?”
both stared up at him expectantly, Charles felt the heat rising to his face
again. Uncomfortably clearing his throat, he nodded, trying to avoid eye
contact. Perhaps he had imagined it, but he could have sworn he saw Henry and
Fanny wink at one another.
Attention!” Ticknor suddenly yelled, a bright smile on his face. “Everyone, make
a circle now- children in front of me, there we go- now, before we get to
presents, it’s time to show you what our grand surprise is.”
their way closer to the center of the room, the lights around them began to
my friends,” Ticknor smiled, and with a wave of his hand the servants pulled
the folding doors of the screen, revealing a beautiful Christmas tree inside.
gasped with delight to see the tree done up in gold and red, with candles illuminating
its branches. Henry and Charles smiled, both wrapping an arm around Fanny-
Charles somewhat more tentatively. Fanny didn’t seem to notice, completely
enraptured by the sight before them.
one before,” she whispered reverently, looking far happier than all the
tradition, then,” Henry replied, kissing her cheek. “What do you say, Carlos?”
German.” Charles responded awkwardly, trying and failing to be helpful.
still captivated. “Someday you’ll feel Christmas spirit, Mr. Sumner. Someday.”
Longfellow. This is the most I’ve felt in a very long time.”
both looked up at him again with the warmest expressions on their faces. Charles returned the look, pulling them both a little closer.
into one another, happily observing the odd new tradition in front of them, Charles couldn’t help but feel that this was exactly where he belonged.
