Holly Leaves
The girl had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t explain it, but it was there. And she sat silently in the winter twilight, staring into the fading sunset. A yellow leaf floated downward and settled at her feet. She looked at it for a long moment, and then she suddenly closed her eyes and shivered in the evening’s coolness.
“Oh, come on, Julie!” said someone with a merry voice behind her. “Snap out of it!” Julie felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the face of her lifelong friend, Sandra Lee.
Julie chuckled a bit as she mumbled, “Oh, it’s you, Sandra.”
“Listen, Juliana Scott, someday you’re going to have to learn, like I did, that you can’t chase rainbows all your life. Take it from the ‘voice of experience’.” She coughed mockingly.
Julie laughed, but Sandra’s words somewhat surprised her. Sandra seldom spoke with such sternness.
“Oh, look.” Sandra sat down on the loveseat beside Julie. “Pretend I’m Allen,” she said, putting her arm on the back of the seat and snuggling up close like Allen might have done at one time.
Julie sat up straight. “Phooey on Allen!” she sputtered with total disgust. “Who needs him?”
Sandra jumped to her feet and pulled Julie up with her. “Good! I’ve got you out of your mood now. Let’s go get ready for the party!”
So, casting aside her sunset and falling leaves, Julie followed Sandra to her room.
Julie watched her friend vigorously brushing her hair and chatting pleasantly in anticipation of the coming party. How can she be so gay? Julie thought. She’s my best friend, and even she can’t understand how I feel.
“Don’t you think Kurt’s neat?” “Hey, did I tell you Allen called me last night?” “Man, that Steve! You know he wanted to take me tonight?” “Oh, yes, I got a letter from LeRoy today.” “Jim’s coming home from college week after next! Isn’t that fabulous?” “I saw Ken downtown Thursday. You know, he doesn’t ‘get’ me as much anymore.” “Say, I hear George is home. Do you think he’ll be there tonight?” These were the snatches of chatter Julie caught as Sandra dressed and primped.
Suddenly Sandra stopped and looked at her friend Julie. “Pep up, Julie!” she exclaimed. “We’re going to have a blast tonight, aren’t we?” she teased.
Julie knew well what Sandra meant, but she smiled and shook her head. “No, Sandra, not me, not tonight.”
“Sure you will. Wait and see,” Sandra said gaily. “Hey, it’s almost seven! Let’s go!” She picked up two coats, threw one at Julie, and headed for the door.
As Julie got into Sandra’s car, she spied something on the floor. “Holly leaves?” she queried, picking up the shapes of green construction paper.
“Oh,” replied Sandra, “those must have fallen out of the sack of Christmas decorations Marsha helped me make for Home Ec.”
Christmas...holly.... All at once Julie, in a momentary trance, realized why the mood was there as she had watched the sunset and the falling yellow leaf....
