She felt a surge of excitement as she heard the taxi door shut outside. Suzie’s grandma had arrived to celebrate her tenth birthday. She always had a special surprise planned and Suzie couldn’t wait. She jumped up from the floor, leaving her crayons and coloring books strewn about, and raced down the stairs straight into the arms of the old woman who had just come through the door. “Oh, you’re getting so big. You’re bound to knock an old woman off her feet.” They both laughed as Suzie was crushed into a hug against her grandmother’s chest. “Suzie,” her mother called as she walked in from the kitchen. “Suzie, let Grandma Pat at least get all the way inside. Hello mother.” The two women embraced. “Dinner is almost ready, if you would both like to wash up we’ll be ready to eat momentarily.”
Grandma Pat turned to Suzie. “Well Button, would you like to help me with my stuff? We might just find something special inside.” Suzie couldn’t hide her excitement. She grabbed the suitcase handle with one hand and her grandmother with the other to lead them both down the hall to the guestroom. Unpacking was quick. A few outfits, some toiletries, and a beautifully wrapped box at the bottom. Now, Suzie was sure her grandmother was a magical creature of some sort. Whether a witch or fairy godmother, there was something special about the woman. Suzie knew, just knew, that this gift would confirm her belief. Suzie fingered the wrapping, wanting to open it right here, but she was interrupted by her mother’s voice coming down the hall. “Super’s ready, come and get it.” Hugging the gift Suzie followed her grandmother into the dining room.
Their meal consisted of all Suzie’s favorite foods; chicken nuggets, egg rolls, jello, pudding, tater tots, and of course cake. Normally, on a day like today, they would let Suzie dominate the conversation, but Grandma Pat had just returned from overseas and all Suzie wanted to hear about was her adventures. Grandma Pat spent her life working as an archaeologist and even after retiring she continued to explore distant places looking for wonder and excitement. To Suzie, this made her grandma greater than Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, and Merlin combined. During the meal they all sat enraptured, listening to Grandma Pat tell her stories of her recent exploits. “I started in Egypt where I had to test my wits against the curse of a mummy deep beneath a pyramid. Then I explored the catacombs of Transylvania while you know who was out of town. From there I took a perilous cruise on the Atlantic and barely survived an encounter with the Kraken. I then finished in Paris, where I performed with a street circus as their fire eating woman.” “How about a brief display?” Suzie clapped in anticipation, but a clearing of the throat from her father ended the notion. “That sounds amazing Grandma Pat, but maybe another time, and outside. They all laughed at that. “Well, I think now it’s time for the most important part of our meal.” Suzie’s mother stood from the table and walked into the kitchen. When she returned it was with a cake shaped like a dragon. “Did I ever tell you about the time I battled dragon’s in South America?” Grandma Pat asked. Suzie shook her head no, prompting the story to be told while they ate.
Finally, the moment arrived and Suzie tore the paper from her gift. Inside was an ornate box and when she opened it a small ballerina turned in place to the tinkling sound of music. “Wow, it’s a jewelry box, thank you.” Suzie smiled trying to hide her disappointment. Her Grandmother chuckled and crouched down next to her. “this is a very special jewelry box. Tonight, open it by your window and allow her to dance in the spot light provided by the moon. I promise, it will be magical.”
That night after tidying up her room and preparing for bed Suzie took the jewelry box to the window and opened it in the moonlight. Just as before the ballerina twirled in a circle. Suzie sighed, maybe she was getting too old to believe in her grandma’s magic. She reached out to close the lid just as the remaining clouds broke. The light pouring in got brighter and the tiny figure in the box began to dance. She spun into a pirouette and then lifted her leg into an arabesque. She was up on her toes waving her arms and then down into a plie’. The routine was beautiful and the tiny figure moved around the box as though she had a full stage. She ended with a pirouette and another plie’ that flowed into a curtsy. Suzie was surprised and thrilled. She applauded with vigor and then stopped when she realized she wasn’t the only one clapping for the performance. She looked around her room to find all of her dolls were also applauding the tiny dancer. She looked back in time to see the ballerina retake her pose as clouds once again drifted over the moon. A light rap on the door announced the entrance of Grandma Pat. “I’ve come to tuck you in.” Suzie put the jewelry box on her book shelf and climbed into bed and under the covers. “Grandma?” “Hmmm?” “You really are magic aren’t you?” Grandma Pat chuckled as she pulled the covers up tight. Leaning down she said “for you Button? Always,” and then she planted a kiss on the girl’s forehead. Grandma Pat walked to the door. She turned back and smiled back at Suzie “sweet dreams Button.” Then she pulled the door closed behind her. Suzie rolled over and looked back at the jewelry box on her shelf. That night she drifted off dreaming about the tiny ballerina, the magic of her grandma, and the adventures she would have herself someday.
K. L. Kent Author 