Outside the building, Selina watched as Annie left on her own. Once she was sure the little girl was out of earshot, she turned to her friend. "Sandy, that was very silly of you."
"What do you mean?" Sandy asked her taller friend.
Selina glanced around to make sure no one else was near. "You shouldn't let your picture be taken while you're undressed."
"Annie said the dressmaker needed it," Sandy said defensively. She pulled her jacket tighter against the cold.
"They don't need to know how you look like in your underwear. Even if they do, a regular decent picture of you will do."
Sandy looked to Selina. "But she's going to give me a dress."
"Sandy, I don't trust Annie," Selina said, "Who knows what she intended to do with indecent pictures of you - and I don't think she'll show it to the dressmaker. We don't even know if there is a dressmaker."
"She's still going to give me a dress, right?"
"I think she will." Selina glanced distantly in the direction Annie had left. "Only because I'm going to make sure she does, though I don't know if she'll have a dressmaker make one specially for you or pick something out of a shop somewhere."
Sandy did not say anything. She really did not know what to think. Annie was going to give her a dress. Annie had given her lots of money before. But Selina, one of her closest friends, did not trust Annie. But Annie had always been giving her good things.
She really did not want to distance herself from Annie. Not when she could still get money and goodies out of the little girl.
Ah, it was too much for her to worry about.
***
That Friday was a happy day for Sandy. That was because Annie had kept her promise.
Sandy was at Ariel's desk with the box Annie had given her that morning. She pulled off the black ribbon and opened the box to find a dress, made from a brownish-yellow fabric and decorated with black highlights. It looked beautiful sitting in the box. It was definitely better than any of the outfits any of the girls had at the Home, unless Momma Lois had something hidden in her closet somewhere.
How Sandy wished school would be over so she could hurry home and try the dress on.
"Here Sandy," Esper handed her a small present, "An early Merry Christmas to you."
"Oh, thanks." Sandy accepted the present. "Sorry, I don't have anything for you."
"It's okay," Esper said, "Why don't you open it?"
"Can I?" At Esper's nod, Sandy carefully unwrapped the present. Within the small box was a tiny puppy figurine, attached to a clip.
"That'll look good on your wallet," Selina suggested.
Sandy clipped the puppy to the cover of her wallet's purse. "Looks cute, thanks."
"Oh, I got you something too." Selina handed Sandy a big box.
Sandy opened the box to find a new pair of yellow sneakers. "Thanks, Selina!" Trying them on, she found them to be a perfect fit.
"You mentioned before that your shoes were getting small," Selina said.
"Yeah," Sandy confirmed, "It makes me feel bad that I have nothing for you."
"That's okay," Selina said, "Money's tight for you."
Then Sandy looked expectantly at Ariel.
"What?" Ariel asked.
"Present?" Sandy hinted hopefully.
Ariel frowned. "Sorry, I didn't prepare anything for you."
"You could buy her a drink for lunch," Selina suggested.
Sandy's eyes sparkled with delight at the suggestion.
Ariel shrugged. "Sure."
Yes, it was a good day for Sandy. She had received presents (plural!). And it was the last day before the winter break.
***
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