The second and final thing that happened that day was after the bridge ladies had gone home and there was peace and quiet in the house again.
Grandma and Grandpa had done the dishes and put everything away and were about to go to bed, when the doorbell rang.
There had never been so much ringing and clattering and racing about as there was in the house that evening.
“Probably one of your friends has forgotten something,” said Grandpa, and he went to open the door.
But no, no! In the entrance stood Cushion with his red rose.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” he said, “but is there a girl called Dani living here?”
“There is,” said Grandpa, “but she’s asleep now. Are you the person called Alexander?”
“Yes, but only when things get serious.” Cushion held out the rose.
All day he had worried that the expensive flower would die—but it was still alive.
Grandpa took the rose and sniffed it.
“It’s very beautiful and it has a beautiful smell! But should you be out this late, young man?”
“My father couldn’t bring me until now. He drives a bus.”
“I see,” said Grandpa. “I’ll take the rose in to Dani so she sees it as soon as she wakes.”
“Don’t forget to tell her who it’s from,” said Cushion, before he ran out to his father, who was waiting on the street.
Grandpa put the rose in a vase of water and crept quietly in to Dani, who was properly asleep at last.
He put it on her bedside table and was about to sneak out again, when she opened her eyes.
“From Alexander,” said Grandpa, pointing at the flower.
Dani nodded and closed her eyes again.
Alexander only when things are serious, she wanted to say. He’s the one who wants to sit next to me in the classroom, where Ella’s going to sit when she comes back.
But Cushion can sit there in the meantime of course…
“Happy comes, happy goes,” echoed in her head, just the way her mother had said it.
“Where Dani goes, happy…” she’d continued.
No, wait! It was Sadie who added those words. But maybe Mama had said the same ones…
The rose nodded almost imperceptibly.
And Dani finally fell into a good, deep sleep.
