Runaways (Orphans 5)

Of course, you can't be too careful now," she warned.

"Oh we're careful," Crystal assured her. Nana looked at Butterfly.

"I bet you're not much older than my granddaughter Lindsey. How old are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm nearly seventeen," Butterfly said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Really? I thought you were closer to twelve. I'm sure your mother misses you and those golden curls something awful," she said.

Butterfly pressed her lips together and glanced quickly at Crystal.

"Her mother's passed away," Crystal said. "She lives with her father and he travels on business a lot."

"O000h," Nana said sympathetically. "I'm sorry about that."

"Butterfly's talented. She's going to become a famous dancer someday," Raven said. "Butterfly?"

"That's her nickname," I said quickly.

"You do remind me of a beautiful butterfly. What sort of dancing do you do, sweetheart?"

"Ballet," Crystal said. "She can dance to this," she added indicating the music playing on the ancient record player.

"Oh, how wonderful. I'd love to see that," Nana cried clapping her hands together.

Crystal looked at Butterfly, who went from a look of terror to a look of pride. Maybe she wasn't good enough to make some big dancing school, but she sure could get lost in her dancing when she started.

"Show her a little," Crystal urged.

"Yeah," Raven said. "Show her."

Butterfly looked at Nana, who smiled with expectation and then she stood. She took a position and we all sat back just as Norman appeared with the hot chocolate.

"Here it comes," he cried.

"Just be quiet and sit down," Nana ordered. "We're being entertained."

"What's that?" He looked at Butterfly. "Oh. Sorry," he said setting the tray down and taking a seat quickly.

Butterfly began. She didn't dance long or do anything very special. We had seen her practice the movements often, but to Nana and Norman, it was as if some prima ballerina had wandered into their home. Nana clapped hard when Butterfly finished.

"Well, I'll be, I'll be," Norman said. "That's very good. Are you in shows?"

"No," Butterfly said, her face crimson.

"Well, you certainly should be," he remarked. "She will," Raven said.

"Raven's a singer," Butterfly said, trying to shift the old couple's attention.

"Really?" Norman said, impressed.

"She can do show tunes. Do that one from The Phantom of the Opera, Raven," Butterfly urged. "I love that one."

"Well . . . okay," she said hesitantly. She got up and walked to the fireplace. Norman served everyone the hot chocolate as quietly as he could while Butterfly settled down near Nana, who leaned over to stroke her hair and smile.

Raven began, her voice as melodious as I had ever heard it. Everyone was impressed, even us.

Nana clapped hard again and Norman sat back shaking his head with amazement.