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Show Woodworth/123 Ned stands, and the two of them clear the table. Marty feels awkward, letting them wait on her. But when she tries to help, Ruth makes her sit down. "This is your night," she says. "You've helped us often enough." The dessert is a grasshopper pie, .sweet, cold, smooth. "I was so afraid that you'd figure out what I was doing in here," Ruth laughs. "You kept coming back right in the middle of me doing something crucial. Beating egg whites, folding in the creme de menthe. Whenever I heard the front door open, I would shove everything into the refrigerator." •iarty scrapes the last remains of the pie off her plate. "This is really nice," she says. "As soon as I get everything all set up, you guys are going to have to come into my apartment, and I'll make dinner for you." "That sounds great," Ned says. "We have one more special present for you." Marty can tell by her father's curious look that this is a surprise to him, too. Her mother leaves the room, looking smug and excited. Her father fills their wine glasses with the remnants of the wine. "7arty can see her mother's back as she rummages in the hall closet. "I was really sure you were going to find this when you were looking for your tennis racket," Ruth says, returning with a box held in both arms. It is wrapped in red paper, topped by a fancy white bow. "For you." Her mother drops the package in her lap. "Are you kidding? Mom, you shouldn't have done anything. I mean, it's not like it's my birthday or anything." The package is heavy on her lap. She removes the bow, plies the scotch tape free carefully. Tries not to rip the paper, savors every minute of the anticipation. "I just wanted to," Ruth says. "I can have my little indulgences, |
