Michelle did pass, with flying colors, but she didn’t know it when she went back to Comanche Wells for the holidays.

“I’ll have to sweat it out until my grades come through,” she said to Sara, hugging her warmly. “But I think I did okay.” She looked past Sara and then at her, curious.

“He’s out of the country,” Sara said gently. “He was really sorry, he wanted to be home for the holidays. But it wasn’t possible. This was a rush thing.”

Michelle’s heart fell. “I guess he has to work.”

“Yes, he does. But he got your presents, and mine, and wrapped them before he left.” Her dark eyes twinkled. “He promised that we’d love the gifts.”

“I’d love a rock, if he picked it out for me,” Michelle sighed. “Can we go shopping? Minette said I could work for her over the holidays while I’m home, so I’ll have a little money of my own.”

“Whenever you like, dear,” Sara promised.

“Thanks!”

“Now come and have hot chocolate. I want to hear all about college!”

Minette had some interesting assignments for Michelle. One was to interview one of Jacobsville’s senior citizens about Christmas celebrations in the mid-twentieth century, before the internet or space travel. It had sounded rather boring, honestly. But when she spoke to Adelaide Duncan, the old woman made the past come alive in her soft, mellow tones.

“We didn’t have fancy decorations for the Christmas tree,” Mrs. Duncan recalled, her pale blue eyes dancing with delightful memories. “We made them from construction paper. We made garlands of cranberries. We used candles set on the branches to light the tree, and we used soap powder mixed with a little water for snow. Presents were practical things, mostly fruit or nuts or handcrafted garments. One year I got oranges and a knit cap. Another, I got a dress my mother had made me in a beautiful lemon color. My husband kissed me under the mistletoe when we were still in school together, long before we married.” Her face was wistful. “He was seventeen and I was fifteen. We danced to music that our parents and relatives made with fiddles and guitars. I wore the lemon-yellow dress, ruffled and laced, and I felt like I had possession of the whole world’s treasures.” She sighed. “We were married for fifty-five years,” she added wistfully. “And one day, not too long away now, I’ll see him again. And we’ll dance together...”

Michelle had to fight tears. “Fifty-five years,” she repeated, and couldn’t imagine two people staying together for so long.