She nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you have to learn how to receive. If you give all of yourself away, there won't be any of that funny, smart dance partner that I trust totally and completely."
He turned down the radio, "Well, I don't know how. This, it's just how I was raised,"
"You know what?" she said suddenly. "You're going to come out with me for a day and we can do whatever you want and I'm paying for it."
He reddened like a beet, "A-Are you sure?"
"Yep!" she insisted firmly.
He smiled meekly. "Thank you."
"No problem. You do so much for everyone else, it's time someone did something for you."
"I wonder who I'd be if I hadn't befriended you," Peter spoke with warm appreciation.
She blushed. "Probably some nerdy geek in a library," she teased him lightly, adding a gentle smile to show her teasing.
"Uah! Who says I'm not a nerd still?" Peter chortled.
"That's true," she laughed.
Skip?
To the hospital?
Yea)
Peter held the bundle azaleas in one hand, his other in his pants pocket as he walked towards the entrance with her. "This's gotta be rough for her family too," he spoke empathetically, worriedly.
"I'm sure," Violet said kindly, matching his pace as they approached her room.
"I wish I knew my grandparents," he continued to speak softly on their way.
She reached up and gently touched his shoulder, silently telling him it would be okay.
He drew a quiet breath, and entered the old lady's room. Ms. Fizts was asleep, arms crossed over her blanketed abdomen, with Jeapordy droning on the tiny television.
Violet grinned. "Lady's got taste. I love watching Jeopardy."
"Mm, me too." He replied quietly.
Ms. Fizts stirred, drawing a lazy inhale and opening her eyes. "Oh," she breathed slowly. "You, you're.. Peter?"
"I am," Peter smiled widely. "I brought you a get-well gift,"
The old woman's eyes lit up, "Oh, you didn't have to, sweetheart,"
"Well, I consider you one of my friends. I wouldn't do anything less,"
"Ah…" She smiled broadly. "And who's this lovely young lady you've brought?"
Peter blushed.
Violet smiled kindly. "My name is Violet. Peter has told me so much about you, and you seem like a wonderful lady."
"Thank you," she coughed faintly, "Are you two dating?"
"Oh," Peter laughed, "No, no we aren't…"
"We're friends. Dancing partners, actually," Violet explained with a grin.
"Dancing partners," Ms. Fizts agonized, "And no romance? I find that.. hard to comprehend. Well. I'll have to put that on my will, you two better be dating before I'm dead," she chuckled.
Peter smiled uncomfortably. "Whatever you say, Ms. Fizts,"
Violet blushed, which was surprising because she didn't do it often. "Oh, uh, we'll think about it."
"Good." Ms. Fizts laid back. "Do you two like Jeapordy? You can change it, if you want,"
"I love to watch Jeopardy. My older sister and I always see if we can get the questions right before the contestants, but she never says What is… or Who is… so I tell her that she cheats and she doesn't think so, but… I'm rambling aren't I? I'm sorry." Violet spoke with practically one breath.
"It's fine," the old woman humored, "I enjoy finding kids who like the old stuff."
"Well, you've found one!" Violet grinned.
"Do you like record players?" She smiled curlishly.
