sam_gamgee | (no subject)

This is a little snippet I wrote between Friday while at the beach and then this afternoon. My muse wouldn't let it go at first, and then decided that it could care less, but I forced it to finish.

Once the show was over, Maybelle made an announcement. “Everyone – there’s going to be a platter party at my place tomorrow and you’re all invited.” There were some surprised murmurs among the group, but a lot of smiles. “And you better be coming too, Mr. Collins,” she said to the host with a smile and a wink.

The next afternoon, Maybelle looked over the spread and sighed.

“Is everything okay, Mama?” Inez asked.

“Yeah, baby.” She adjusted a plate on the table. “Just want everything to be perfect, is all.”

“Why? Because Mr. Collins is coming?”

Maybelle gave her daughter a stern look. “We don’t know that for sure. But there are going to be a lot of people here regardless.” She looked at the clock. “Well, I best be getting ready.”

Seaweed, Penny, Tracy, and Link were the first to arrive. The other kids began trickling in after them. They moved the record stands out of the way as someone started the music.

“Is your mother coming, Tracy,” Maybelle asked her.

“She should be,” Tracy replied with a grin. “And I think she’s going to try to get my dad to come too.”

“Wonderful! And what about your mother, Penny? How did she react?”

“She kicked me out,” Penny replied with a shrug. “But the Turnblatts took me in and I’m happy about it.” Quickly changing the topic, she said, “And it looks like you got a good turnout, Ms. Stubbs.”

Maybelle surveyed the room and saw most of the Council there, along with her usual kids, and that everyone was mixing. She smiled. “Yeah, I think so too.” She caught sight of Corny hovering by the door. “Excuse me. Mr. Collins!” She headed over to him. “I’m so glad you could make it. Come on in and join the fun.”

He gave her one of his blinding smiles as they entered and Maybelle felt her heart flutter. “This is definitely something else, Miss Maybelle.”

“Just Maybelle’s fine, Mr. Collins.”

“Then please call me Corny.” Looking around, he said, “We’re definitely going to have to change the opening song now. Aside from the obvious lyric problems, roll call would take half the show.”

Maybelle smiled. “I’m sure it’ll be easily fixed. Would you like something to eat?” She indicated the spread.

“That’s quite a spread.”

“That’s what some of the other kids said. I’m beginning to think you white people never eat.”

Corny laughed. “Not as well as you do. Would you like to dance, Maybelle?”

She blushed. “I’m not much of a dancer.”

“Neither am I, but I don’t let it stop me.” He smiled warmly. “Come on.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, where a slow song was coming on. “I think we can manage this, don’t you?”

“Maybe,” she replied with a smile to the knowing looks from the kids.

As they swayed to the music, Maybelle felt like she was floating on clouds and wished this could last forever.

Once the song ended, without pulling away, Corny said quietly, “I know this might be premature, but I was wondering if you’d consider wearing my Council ring.”

Maybelle laughed heartily. “Yes,” she replied, knowing now that it would.