“You changed my life!”
I bound up our stairs and she calls after, “It’s merely a dance, May Eloise! Not a ticket to France.” As I clear the final step I hear her worry, “I do hope I made the right decision!”
JERALD
I ’m introduced to Hank’s friends, and they’re all good sorts for being kids and all.
“Peter Tuck, nice to meet you! Heard a lot about you, Jerald! Yes sir! Hank’s heroic brother!” He’s a good-looking fellow who can cut a rug with the best of them. He was with some gal doing the mambo when we got here, a circle formed to watch the show.
I didn’t get Darren’s last name, or a chance to shake his hand. He waved from the floor when Hank shouted who I was. “Howdie, Jerald!” Since we’ve been here he’s changed dance partners after every song in an effort to find one who suits him.
Now Marvin Smith, on the other hand, I greet with an easy smile, “Marv, yes, I remember you.”
“Good to see you, Jerald.”
Friends since my brother was in kindergarten, Marvin’s a square who means well and doesn’t take up much space. You hardly remember he’s here until he pipes up with the rare offering.
Standing with them is more comfortable than I expected it would be. They act as if I’m one of them.
As soon as Hank gets a dance partner, I’m shoving off. I’ll have the last laugh when he looks around and Marvin tells him I’m gone.
Peter tilts his fedora and throws a shiny shoe on a chair. “Say, that doll Darren is jitterbugging with, her dress is in danger of a tap-out, wouldn’t you say?”
Hank, Marvin and I watch for a bit, and look around for the nuns. They’re sure to notice a hem bouncing above her knee like that one is. Because she’s so pretty, we continue watching Darren and his dance partner until Peter cups his hands and shouts, “Been taking lessons, Darren?”
We all laugh.
He ignores us, but she casts a sideways glance, then leans in with a smile to ask him a question. The way his eyes light up makes my brother turn to me. “Hey Jer, what do you think she asked him?”
I’m just shy of twenty-two, and a sailor, so Peter and Marvin lean in, awaiting my answer. They’re hoping it’s something dirty, and that I might just educate them.
I smirk, “She’s wondering how he ended up with such good looking friends.”
The guys laugh and I glance away. Peter says something, but I don’t hear him because off to my left stands a pretty blonde with eyes of a clear summer’s day.
Somethin’ special about her.
And she’s watching me.
It dawns on her that I’m staring back.
Hank taps my arm. “Jer!”
“What?”
“Gin.”
My distracted gaze drops to the spiked punch, and I push it away. “You go ahead. I think I might have a dance.”
Hank slyly leans past me, hoping he can predict which one without letting on that we’re talking about them. “The doll in pink?”
“Blue.”
“Oh yeah? Hey Pete, it’s one of Lily’s friends.”
“Which one?” Peter asks, playing it cool and not looking.
“The cute blonde. The quiet one.”
“There are two quiet ones. And neither is Sable.”
“Which one is that?”
“Glasses and a big mouth.”
Marvin pipes up, “Don’t say anything bad about Sable!” making all three of us look at him. Then look away after two seconds.
Hank starts up again, “No, I said the cute blonde, quiet one. Why don’t you just look!”
“Don’t want Lily to see me. She’s wondering why I haven’t asked her to dance. I have every intention of asking when she least expects it. The cute blonde is a good egg. So’s the quiet brunette.”
I ask Peter, “What’s the name of the blonde?”
“Dunno.”
“I’m going to find out.”
As I walk across the gymnasium to say hello, we’re staring at each other, Ella Fitzgerald crooning in the background.
Pretty little thing. Can’t be taller than five-two.
That’s a whole foot and change shorter than I am.
Cute nose. And those parted lips.
They’re something else.
But nothing compares to those eyes, and that blue dress really makes them shine. The way she's staring at me as I stroll up disappears the entire room, her friends with it.
I start to smile, say hello.
She sways toward me.
Eyelashes fluttering closed.
Woopsiedaisies!
I catch her just in time.
I’ve got you.
I hear the gasps of her friends while I adjust my hold, one knee on the floor to brace us.
“Hey now, you awake? You alright?”
She’s an angel in a cloud of blue taffeta. There isn’t a smidge of make up on her unconscious face, none that I can see anyhow. Her lips, bright pink.
It occurs to me, I could kiss her awake. But her blonde eyelashes flutter open, sky-blue eyes filled with wonder as she stares at me.
“You alright?” She nods, so I ask, “You have a name?”
She nods again. “May.”
“Pretty name for a prettier girl.”
Holy cow, her smile lights up the gymnasium and gets me smiling, too. Not an easy feat these days.
A sharp-faced nun races up. “What’s the meaning of this? Unhand her!” And she’s accompanied by two others just like her but twenty years younger.
I rise and stand May up, checking to see if she’s steady while her friends explain, “She fainted, Sister!”
“Yes, that’s why they were like that.”
“He caught her!”
“Well, he can let her go now!”
I smile and tip my hat. “Sister Charlotte.”
Her eyes go wide.
JERALD
A circle of onlookers has grown and everyone is leaning in. Hank and his friends walked over, too.
Turning to May, I take off my fedora and ask, “Need some fresh air?”
Sister Charlotte all but shouts, “I think not! Miss Kearns will not be walking with the likes of you, Jerald Daniel Cocker. I remember you!”
I smile, “You even remember my middle name? If I weren’t so apologetic I’d be flattered, Sister. You’re right of course. I shouldn’t be here at all, especially after you forbid me to ever return. See, the trouble is I told my brother — you remember Hank, don’t
