White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick

could find. Today's performance was from both The Sound of Music and Oklahoma! There were no lead dancers for Oklahoma! but Arcineh played Maria's role from the Sound of Music, and her
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    performance was perfect. Smaller children played the parts of the von Trapp family children. The patients confined to beds and wheelchairs were delighted, and the staff could not thank the dancers enough.
    Sam's and Violet's hearts were near to bursting as they watched Arcineh in her element, and Arcie came away smiling and proud of how well the troupe had done. In fact she didn't stop smiling until they were back home and she remembered that the following day was her grandfather's sixty-first birthday. She found Violet in her apartment, and the older woman could see that she was ready to panic.
    "I didn't shop for him!" Arcineh said twice before Violet could get a word in. "Grandpa's birthday is tomorrow:'
    Violet tried again. "I shopped for you:' she said, and was finally heard.
    "You did?"
    "Yes, do you want to see it?"
    Arcineh nodded in relief, and Violet produced a box. The shirt and tie inside were exactly the type her grandfather loved, and a great color for gray-and-black hair. Violet had even added a tiny bottle of expensive cologne. She knew that Sam would never wear it, but Arcineh would have a great time giving it to him.
    "Oh, Violet, these are perfect, but how will I pay you?"
    Violet smiled. "I just used your grandfather's credit card. He doesn't need to know:'
    The two laughed together before sharing a hug and then spent the next hour wrapping the packages, giggling like girls and acting completely innocent when Sam came looking for Violet. He was hungry and wanted to know what she'd planned for dinner.
    "I have something to tell you:' Sam said the morning after his birthday. They had spent a good birthday together--he'd enjoyed
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    his gifts and the call from the Rowans--but this morning, the day of Trevor and Isabella's deaths, had not been far from Sam's mind.
    "What is it?" Arcineh asked. She was ready for school, but it was the last place she wanted to go.
    "I've bought myself a birthday present that I think you'll enjoy:" Arcineh looked at him. "Are you going to tell me what it is?" "I think you should guess."
    Arcineh laughed a little. She was all ready to be sad, but his playful mood was infectious. "It's for you?" she clarified.
    "Yes."
    "But I'll like it?"
    "Yes!"
    Arcineh laughed a little again. "Something to do with dance or music?"
    "Nope."
    Arcineh chuckled at his tone but really had no idea what he was talking about. She glanced at Violet, who was frying bacon at the stove, but that lady only smiled. By the time Arcineh looked back at her grandfather, Sam had sneaked a pair of swim goggles onto the table. Arcineh spotted them and stood.
    "A pool? Are you buying a pool?"
    "Yep."
    Sam thought she would strangle him. Her arms were around his neck, and she was squeezing with all her might. Her home--on which he'd already accepted an offer to purchase--had a pool, and she'd loved it. She'd never uttered a word of complaint about not having a pool here, not so much as a hint, but Sam had known how much she missed it.
    "When?" she finally let go to ask.
    "They start today. That's why I had to tell you:'
    For some reason Arcineh wanted to cry. Tears filled her eyes, and she could not speak.
    "I think:' Sam said slowly, "that you should just stay here and
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    watch them start. I'll let your school know, and you can look at the plans and even say if you want some changes:'
    "You'll be here?"
    Sam nodded because tears were clogging his own throat. He held out his arm, and Arcineh moved close to sit in Sam's lap and be held. Sam couldn't speak for a long time. When he did, all he could manage was, "We'll get through this:'
    Arcineh only nodded against his shoulder, glad that she didn't have to answer. She might have gone on sitting there for a long time, but just five minutes later they heard the trucks arrive. Like