The Letter - Chapter 39

The underclassmen had done a marvelous job decorating the gym for the annual Sweetheart Dance.  Red hearts and white lace were everywhere.  Centerpieces of pink and white pom poms graced each table along with bowls of heart shaped candy.  Three other couples joined Liz, me and our dates at our table.  I counted ten other tables of couples and a few tables for the students that came alone.  I noticed my tormenter-in-chief, Terry Morrison, among the group of boys that came stag.  As we were standing in the buffet line, I heard him remark from across the room.

“Whoo Hoo, Look!  Jenny Leskovic’s got a date.  Hey, Jen, what’s the deal?  Bethel guys not good enough for you?”

“Who’s that, Jen?” Jeff whispered.

“Just ignore him.  He’s always trying to get a rise out of me.  But I’m determined to not let him bother me tonight.”

Terry snickered and led his group of miscreants to the drinks table.  “This dance is lame.  There’s not even a punchbowl to spike,” I heard him say to the glee of his posse.

While we were eating, a DJ was setting up his equipment in one corner of the gym.  He played soft dinner music during the meal.  Then, when we had finished eating, they dimmed the lights and the DJ started playing dance tunes.

“C’mon, let’s dance.”  Liz said, grabbing Mikey by the hand and dragging him onto the dance floor.

Jeff looked at me.  “Would you like to dance?”

“Sure,” I said, getting up from my chair. Jeff led me to the dance floor.  The DJ played a good mix of contemporary dance tunes with a little hip hop thrown in.  Jeff showed some great dance moves and I tried my best to keep up with him.  We were both sweating despite the cold outside when we decided to take a break.  He walked me back to our table and offered to get us drinks.  He got us a couple of sodas and as he turned to come back to our table, I watched in horror as Terry Morrison walked up to him and started talking.  My horror turned to shock as Jeff’s face broke into a smile.  To my complete surprise, he shook Terry’s hand and then returned to our table.  Jeff smiled and shook his head as he sat down beside me with our drinks.

“What was that all about?” I asked.  At first, I thought you were going to slug him.”

“What would make you think I have a violent streak, Ms. Leskovic?  I have to admit after his comments earlier, I was concerned that he might try to pick a fight with me.  He called me ‘Stretch’ which put me a bit on edge.  So he says, ‘Yo Stretch.’ I turn around to face him and he says.  ‘You got some sweet moves on the dance floor.’  So I’m thinking, what’s this guy’s angle?  But I stand there listening politely, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.  Then he says, ‘Your date, Jennifer Leskovic.  I tease her a lot, but I don’t mean anything bad.  What can I say, she’s smart, she’s pretty.  She’s damn near perfect, but don’t ever tell her I said that.  I’ll deny it till the ends of the earth.  But you’re one lucky dude, Stretch.  You’re one lucky dude.’” 

“He really said that?”

“Yeah, then he shook my hand.  I think he has kind of a crush on you.  He really didn’t strike me as a bad sort, and he’s right about one thing – no actually two.”

“Two?  What are they?”

“I’ve got some sweet moves on the dance floor, and I am one lucky dude.”

I felt myself blush and took a sip of my soda.  “I feel pretty lucky myself, tonight, Jeff.”

Jeff smiled and took a big gulp of soda.  “All that dancing makes a man thirsty.”

Liz and Mikey came back to the table.  Liz fanned herself.  “Is it warm in here or what?” she said.  “Looks like you guys are having fun.”   We continued to talk as the DJ took a break.  He returned about fifteen minutes later.  I looked at the clock.  It was 9:30. 

“Hey, you schoolboys and schoolgirls,” the DJ started.  “Only an hour left till your coaches turn into pumpkins, so get up and dance.  I’m especially talking to you guys that came without dates.  There are plenty of single ladies waiting for you to ask them to dance.  Or ready to ask you to dance.  Go girls!  He played Beyonce’s Single Ladies.  That got everyone up on the dance floor. 

He played another couple of dance tunes and then said, “We’re going to slow things down a bit, so grab your partner and hold on tight.”

Jeff looked at me and smiled.  He extended his arms.  I walked toward him and he embraced me and we swayed to the tune.  I put my head on his shoulder and felt him hold me tighter.  The song ended.  Jeff took a step back, still holding my hands in both of his.

“Now here’s a tune that goes way back,” the DJ said.  This is one your parents listened to as they slow danced and fell in love with visions of you dancing in their heads.  Pittsburgh’s own Jimmy Beaumont with the Skyliners singing, Since I Don’t Have You.”

“Do you know this one, Jeff?”

“I’m not sure.”  We stood silently, unsure whether to dance or sit this one out.  Then the song started.  “Oh, now I recognize it.  My mom practically goes into a swoon when she hears it.  Let’s dance to this one, Jen.”

I don't have plans and schemes
And I don't have hopes and dreams
I, I, I don't have anything
Since I don't have you

The song continued and we swayed to the music.  I felt Jeff’s hand on my back, holding me tight.  We were barely moving as other dancers slow danced around us.  I felt the song build toward its ending.

Since . . . I doh on't . . . have
You, you, you, you
You, you, you, you
You, you, you, you,
Oo, oo, oo, oo, oo, oo, oo, oooo.

“That was so nice, Jen.  Thank you.”  He bent down to kiss me, but before our lips could meet, I saw my mother standing ten feet away, scowling, with her arms crossed.  Henry the chauffeur was standing next to her.

“Jennifer, say goodnight to your gentleman friend.  I’m taking you home.  Come along quickly.”

“Mother!  What is this?”

“You’re coming to my home and your new life.  Say goodbye to Bethel Park.  Henry, bring her along.” 

Henry grabbed my arm and started dragging me across the dance floor.  “Let me go!” I screamed trying to wrench my arm from his iron grip.

“Let’s not make a scene, my dear.”

I looked at my mother standing there with a smug look on her face.  I was so angry I couldn’t think straight.  So I said the first thing that popped into my mind.

“Did you send that nasty letter?”

“What on earth are you talking about, dear?”

Jeff ran forward and threw a punch hitting Henry squarely on the jaw.  Two security guards came running forward and tackled Jeff.  As they restrained him, Henry rubbed his jaw and smiled at Jeff.   “Lucky for you, Mrs Zingerman alerted security.  Otherwise, they would be loading you into an ambulance, punk.” 

Henry continued pulling me out of the gym and outside the school to the limousine.  He roughly shoved me into the backseat.  My mother got in beside me, Henry got behind the wheel and I heard the locks click.  I gave the door a defiant shove.

“At least let me go back and get my purse and phone.”

“I’ll get you a new purse and phone, Jennifer.  Home, Henry.” 

The limousine pulled away from the school and onto the road.  Henry switched on the radio and hummed along with the song as I looked out the window, feeling alone and miserable.

End of Part 2