"What is it?" I asked.
"It's a surprise gift to make up for some of the unpleasantness you've had to endure today," he said and continued to stand there. "Should I open it up and show it to you?"
I nodded. I thought the faster he did so, the faster he would leave.
He put the box on the sink and took the lid off so he could -dip his hands in and come up with what was the sheerest white lace nightgown I had ever seen. He held it up.
"Isn't it pretty?" he asked. He put his cheek against it. "It's so soft and feminine, I couldn't help but think of you when I touched it. Wear it tonight, especially after a bath. It will make you feel good," he said.
"Thank you, Uncle Philip."
"Will you wear it tonight?" he asked. I couldn't understand why that would be so important to him, but imagined he just wanted to be sure his gift compensated for the nasty things that had occurred between Aunt Bet and us.
"Yes," I said.
"Good. I'm good at washing backs," he said after he put the nightgown back into the box. How could he suggest such a thing? I wasn't a child anymore. The look in his eyes frightened me. For a moment I couldn't speak.
"That's all right," I said, afraid he would come farther into the bathroom. "I'm almost ready to come out."
"Are you sure?" He took a step toward me.
"Yes," I said quickly, my heart pounding.
"All right," he said, obviously disappointed, "but you're really missing something." He stared at me a moment longer and then left. I listened for the sound of my bedroom door opening and closing and then I got out of the bathtub and dried myself. I looked at the nightgown. It was pretty and very soft. I slipped it over my head and gazed at myself in the mirror. It was so light and transparent, I might as well be naked, I thought. What sort of a gift was this for an uncle to buy his niece? I wondered, but I wore it to sleep.
Some time late at night, I woke abruptly after dreaming that Uncle Philip had come into my bedroom again and quietly come to the side of my bed. He peeled back my blanket softly and gazed down at me for the longest time and then covered me up and left as quietly as he had come in. The dream was so vivid, my eyes snapped open and my heart was racing. I gazed around anxiously, but there was no one there. Even so, I lay awake for a long time before my lids became heavy again and sleep washed over me.
The next morning the twins made a miraculous, complete recovery. Both Richard and Melanie were full of energy and had great appetites at breakfast. Aunt Bet looked very pleased.
"We'll keep the sleeping arrangements the way they are for one more day just to be sure," she declared, "and then everything can return to normal. Our new maid and cook will be arriving later today, too," she announced. "She comes highly recommended. She used to work for friends of my parents, so we can be sure our meals will be made well and served properly and everything will be kept spotless.
"Oh, I feel so good about the future now that Richard and Melanie are healthy again," she cried and clapped her hands together. Although neither Richard nor Melanie smiled or said anything, they both wore expressions of approval.
Uncle Philip nodded and smiled and then announced he was off to the hotel.
"Jefferson's coming with me to inspect the work. Would you like to come too, Christie?"
"No thank you, Uncle Philip. I'm going to visit Grandmother Laura."
"I would like to go along with you, Father," Richard said.
"Me too," Melanie chimed.
"Oh no;"Aunt Bet said. "You two need one more day's complete rest. You don't know how sick you were."
Both of them pouted simultaneously.
"Okay, ready, Jefferson?" Uncle Philip asked. Jefferson flicked a glance my way. I knew he wanted me to go along and my refusal to do so made him hesitant, but the promise of seeing all those machines was too great. He nodded and followed Uncle Philip out.
"Christie, would you help me with the dishes?" Aunt Bet asked.
"Yes," I said and began gathering them. I often helped Mrs. Boston and just doing it brought back the memories of our warm and happy talks together in the kitchen.
"I can help too," Melanie said.
"Oh no, Melanie. You go sit in the living room and read," Aunt Bet said. "You're liable to drop something."
"Why is she able to do it?" she whined.