The red and green lights blinked outside the frosty window. Shadows danced on the dark bedroom floor. He stared grimly down at his bare feet, toes curled into the carpet in frustration.

“Are you ready? We need to leave!”

Pants? Easy. Shirt? No problem. The vest was a bit tricky, but he’d gotten it. Even the clip-on bow tie was in place.

“Honey? Can you hear me? Midnight won’t wait. Do you need help after all?”

Why had he been so stubborn? Why the “No mommy! I can do it!”? It was becoming increasingly apparent that he may have been wrong…

“If we’re stuck in the back pew I’m going to be upset! Come down now!”

He closed his eyes, felt his heartbeat. 1. 2. 3. His hands darted down quickly, sealing his fate.

“Finally! Well, don’t you look handsome? Alright. Coat on – then out to the car.”

He buckled his car seat and looked around sheepishly. No one was staring at his feet. No one was laughing. As the car pulled out of the driveway he grinned. He had guessed right! Socks. Who knew they could be so tricky?