Grace backed away from the display like it was poison. “I never thought of it that way. Let’s get out of here.”

“I knew you’d see reason.”

“The truth is I only have a hundred dollars to spend.”

“Yeah … Gregory’s not worth fifty percent.” “I’ll get him something stupid instead.”

“To match his personality.”

Rose bought Jerram a new Swiss Army knife; he’d lost his, and he said he couldn’t live without his portable scissors, toothpick, tweezers, etcetera. Jerram liked to leave the house in what he called a Totally Intact State, meaning he could survive in case there was a nuclear war or other catastrophe. This required a knife, Mini Mag flashlight, water purification tablets, a rope and some fast-energy granola bars, plus whatever else he stuffed secretly into his knapsack. No one was allowed to look into Jerram’s things.

She found a sweater for Dad, the kind he liked with a V-neck; and perfume and bath gel for Mom in her favorite scent.

“Are we done?” Grace asked when they collapsed onto one of the wire benches. “We should get a medal for efficiency.”

“Almost done. I still have to get you something.”

“What are you going to get me?”

“A plaid wool shirt.”

Grace laughed. They went up to the food hall and bought some General Tso’s chicken at the China Express. Grace searched the tables hopefully, to see if maybe Gregory and Company were around.

“They don’t do Christmas shopping,” Rose said sympathetically. She thought about Daniel and wondered if she’d get to the point of wanting to buy him shirts.

“You’re so contained, Rose,” Grace said suddenly.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t get carried away. Like me with Gregory. You’ve got your mind set on studying dance and that’s it. I really admire that.”

It was easy to bask in the compliment, but not very honest. Grace was her best friend. “I was just thinking about Daniel, if you want to know the truth.”

Grace seemed surprised, then shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. You’d never let a guy stand in the way of your career.”

It made her sound so calculating. Something inside felt doubtful now. She had been self-contained. Until recently. The idea of Daniel was distracting her now.

Some of the foodstalls began to close up, and workers were mopping the floor and stacking chairs. Rose looked at her watch.

“Listen, we’d better call my mom; it’s getting late.”

By the time her mother arrived it had started to snow. Mom drove home slowly, leaning forward and gripping the wheel the way she always did in bad weather. She was relieved to drop Grace off and get home safely. It made her sort of hyper, and she suggested hot chocolate with whipped cream. Dad was watching television, and jerram was up in his room.