Violetta Craft's Arc

Chapter 36 of 65

The two weeks passed in small, steady stitches. On the morning of the party, Violetta woke early in the little house she now thought of as hers and Elowen's. She stood in the doorway of the studio room and looked at the purple dress on the form, the shoulder line clean, the placket pattern pinned to the wall. Elowen slept in the bassinet by the window. For the first time in a year, the quiet in the rooms belonged only to them, and Violetta liked it. Her family arrived at ten with folding chairs, a cooler, and a box of streamers. Paul carried the cake in both hands and set it on the counter without a word. Lymber tied balloons to the porch rail. Missy sat on the floor and made Elowen laugh by shaking a rattle. Jett hung a paper banner across the front window and stepped back to check that it was level. Violetta watched them fill her small rooms and did not tell them to slow down. Jordie came at noon for his two supervised hours with Elowen. He sat in the living room chair with the baby against his shoulder while Violetta worked in the kitchen. He did not ask for more time. He did not ask about the party. He kept his eyes on Elowen and hummed under his breath. Greg knocked at twelve-thirty. Violetta opened the door and he stepped inside with a small wrapped box for Elowen and nothing for her, the way she had asked. He said happy birthday and pulled her into a short, plain hug. Violetta hugged him back. When she stepped away, she saw Jordie in the chair, watching, his jaw tight. Jordie stood up with Elowen. For a second Violetta thought he would speak. Then his face changed. He looked down at his daughter and then at Violetta across the room, and she watched him understand something. He set Elowen gently in the bassinet and walked to the door. He said, at the threshold, that he had done this to himself. He said it low, only to Violetta. He said he was glad Greg was here. Then he left, and the door clicked shut behind him. The party went on. Lymber lit the candles. Missy sang loudest. Jett took the picture. Paul cut the cake and handed Violetta the first slice. Greg sat on the arm of the couch and talked to Missy about school. Elowen slept through the singing and woke for the frosting. No one cried. No one fought. Violetta blew out seventeen candles in a room that held only people who had chosen to be there. After everyone left, Violetta stood in the studio room with the plate still in her hand. The dress waited on the form. She had a house, a daughter, a family down the street, and a friend who knew what he was. She set the plate down and pulled the next pin from the shoulder.