A SOCIAL AFFAIR
It rained the entire two days that Bessie was gone. Down pours, thunder, lightening, the works. Couldn't go anywhere, couldn't do anything--it was the longest two days of Zac's life. He was miserable. Now it was Saturday and the sun shone radiant and hot, making the violent storms a mere distant memory.
Shamelessly, Zac hid himself amongst the trees at the edge of Bessie's property. He could barely see the porch, but what he could see was enough for him. He knew it was probably close to time for Billy Connors to pick Bessie up for the dance and Zac needed to see her, even it was only from afar. It was need that ached, a need that kept him awake at night. A need that consumed his mind, a need that paralyzed his soul. Just one glance, just one glimpse, just one fix to feed his growing addiction.
As if on schedule, a black car pulled up and a tall man with short, dark hair approached the porch. Within moments he was let inside the house and he disappeared.
The time that followed was agonizing. Was the guy having a full-blown political conversation with the judge or something? Was Bessie not ready yet? Was she making the obligatory descent down the staircase as her date gazes at her in awe at how beautiful she looks?
Zac could only imagine how beautiful Bessie looked. She'd said that her mother had bought her a new dress and he'd been anxious to see her in it. After all, it was a dress that she had picked to go out with him, not with that Billy guy. Zac smiled at the thought, knowing that no matter how beautiful she looked, she had intended it for him and not for Billy. He wanted to take solace in that, but taking solace in anything at this point was near impossible.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the pair emerged out onto the porch, with the judge and his wife at their heels. The judge waved proudly as Bessie and Billy walked toward the car and Zac couldn't take his eyes off of her. He couldn't see her expression but he could read her body language. He could read her straight, stiff form, her deliberate and formal movements. She was uncomfortable and she was unhappy. Zac was livid.
What made him more livid was how stunning he could tell she was from where he stood. Her dress was peach-colored, made from long chiffon that hung close to her body. It boasted layered ruffles toward the bottom, sheer short sleeves, and a neckline that appeared to form a modest square on her chest. Her light brown hair lay in soft curls, parted on one side, and he could see a glint of her hair pin that reflected the sun that would be setting soon. She was a vision. An absolute vision that would drive him crazy for the rest of the night.
If Zac didn't figure out something to do about it, this night would last much longer than the past two and a half days did. Thankfully, it didn't take a genius to figure out the solution.
As the car began to drive out of sight, Zac glanced behind him at the woods anxiously. Damn. It was three miles back to the camp. Maybe if he walked fast and ran some of it, he could save some time. Starting on his way to cover three miles in record time, he ran on pure adrenaline and excitement.
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Bessie hated every bit of Saturday. The traveling had been exhausting, she'd had no time to sneak out to see Zac before it was time to get ready for the dance, and her mother insisted that she wear makeup. She looked in the mirror after her mother had lined her eyes, painted her eyelashes, and rubbed rouge on her cheeks. She had to admit, she looked like a more adult version of herself, which she was grateful for, but it was wrong. It was all wrong. Soon, a boy would come and pick her up to go to a dance, but it would be the wrong one. It wouldn't be Zac. This entire evening didn't mean a thing to her.
When Billy showed up in his brown leisure suit, Bessie's stomach churned with hatred. In a way she felt bad. It wasn't Billy's fault he wasn't the right man. But even still, the little she knew of Billy, she didn't like, so even if it hadn't been for Zac, she imagined she'd be just as thrilled with the situation as she was now. Billy was tall with dark brown hair and brown eyes and he was built like an athlete. Freckles peppered his nose in just the lightest and his smile revealed dimples in both of his cheeks. Bessie supposed she could see where girls might find him attractive. However, he wasn't Zac and he didn't hold a candle to him. He was a mere boy compared to Zac and, for that, Bessie disrespected Billy even more.
Upon presentation of the corsage Billy brought for her, Bessie sneezed. It was a fake sneeze, but everyone bought it, so she figured she was a better actress than she thought. "Bessie, are you okay?" Her mother asked, worried.
"I don't know," she replied, thoughtfully. "I think I might be coming down with something. Maybe I shouldn't go."
"Nonsense," her father had butted in. "You're perfectly healthy, you just got a little tickle in your nose is all. Probably from the dust or something. Now put Billy's gift on your wrist, it's about time for you kids to be heading along."
When the corsage came closer to her, she sneezed again. And then again. And then two more times before she said, "I think I'm allergic to the corsage. Thank you so much for the thought, Billy, but I'm afraid my body just doesn't agree with it."
As the gift was disposed of, Bessie said a silent cheer in victory on the inside. It was bad enough she had to go out with Billy anyway--she certainly didn't want any gifts from him.
Finally in the car and on the way into town, Billy tried to make small talk. Bessie wasn't interested, but she humored him anyway, in desperation to make the time pass faster. "So, your father says this is your first town social."
"It is."
"I can't believe you've never been before."
"I take it you have?"
"Oh, many times. You'll have a ball, I promise. Especially with me, I always have a good time."
"I imagine you do," she replied as dryly as her last two replies.
"You have to. Life's too short not to have a good time. Say, are you hungry? Some of the fellas were talking about meeting up for a hamburger before the social."
"The fellas," Bessie had learned, were chums of Billy's. Some played football with him at the university, some still played football for the high school, and the rest played various other sports. All of them would be at the social, naturally. The truth was, Bessie's appetite had disappeared a long time ago. But she figured the least she could do was sip on a soda pop. "Not very," she replied. "But I'll have a soda pop if that's okay."
"Anything you want, doll," Billy smiled. "Anything you want."
Bessie wanted to vomit.
Pulling up to the drive-in diner, the parking lot was full of young people with their cars. Couples, groups of friends, and even a couple sets of parents littered the lot with their food and drink as they laughed and conversed with each other. Bessie was relieved to spot Millie a few cars down from theirs. Billy didn't even open the car door for Bessie, which was something her father did for her mother all the time, so she opened it herself as Billy smiled and said, "Hey, there's the fellas right over there. I'm gonna go say hi while I order for us."
Bessie nodded, glad to see him go. Hastily, she approached Millie as she giggled with two other girls. "Millie," Bessie said. "Thank god you're here."
Millie smiled at Bessie. "Hey, look who's here. That dress is just divine on you, Bess. Such a great color for you."
"Thank you," she smiled. Then she got down to business. "This night is dragging by so slow and it hasn't even started yet," she murmured to her.
"Oh, lighten up and have fun! You're on a date. And Billy Connors is a cute boy. There are plenty of girls out there who would be falling all over themselves to be you right now."
"Well they can have him for all I care."
Millie scoffed at her cousin. "Bessie, what's so bad about him?"
"He's not Zac," she said quietly. "You know that."
Millie sighed. "Bessie--dear, Bessie--you can't--you can't come to the town social with a gypsy. You just can't."
Bessie gaped at her cousin in shock, unable to believe her ears. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It's a social. Where people are social with each other. And other people pay attention to how social you are. And do you know what people would say about someone who showed up at the social with a gypsy? You might as well just walk in with a random hobo off the street. It would be that bad. You can live in your fantasies in your backyard all you want to. But right now, this is reality."
"Mildred Jennings!" Bessie hissed. "I can't believe what's coming out of your mouth! Why, just a few days ago you were excited that Zac liked me and you were looking forward to triple-dating with his brothers! Now you're--you're talking about them like they're trash. And Taylor likes you. He is handsome and he is kind and generous and he likes you. And I'm proud of Zac and I would have been the proudest, most luckiest woman at the social tonight to have come with him. I'm so disappointed in you, Millie. I had no idea you could be so heartless!"
"I'm not being heartless, Bessie," Millie said, pulling her aside. "I'm telling you the truth. Look, I like Taylor, okay? I do. He's absolutely dreamy. But he's poor and he's a gypsy--"
"He's not a gypsy. Neither are his brothers--"
"They are gypsies, by definition. And women like me--and you--can't be seen with the likes of them. It's unacceptable. That's the reality."
"No, Millie. The reality here is you're two-faced and I'm ashamed of you. Taylor and Zac are people, just like us. They walk and talk like us and they have feelings just like us. I don't know what it is with you and Daddy and everyone else when it comes to social status and money but, to me, people are people, one in the same. And the way you're talking about Taylor is completely unfair. How dare you?"
"Look. Don't you come over here to me acting all high and mighty just because some man bats his eyelashes at you once or twice. It doesn't make you an expert on me or on anything--"
"No, but I know right from wrong. You used to be my best friend, Millie, but you've changed. You're different. And I don't think I like this side of you."
"Well," Millie said, holding her chin high and straightening her spine. "It's unfortunate that you feel that way. Say what you will about me, but I will not allow you to ruin my good time tonight. Have a nice evening." And with that, Millie turned on her heel and walked away.
Great. Just one more way to make Bessie's night miserable.
********************
The dance hall was packed by the time Bessie and Billy got there. It resembled a gymnasium with nothing but a large floor, a small stage where the band played, and tables with seating surrounding the dance floor. Toward the back of the hall were refreshments and punch and people milled around and talked and danced and everyone seemed to be having a merry time.
Bessie knew she should have been excited. She knew if she'd have been here with Zac like she was supposed to be, she would probably be dragging him to the dance floor in an instant. She didn't know how to dance very well, but it sure did look fun.
And then she looked up at Billy and the desire was gone.
Billy had insisted on dancing, however, a notion that made Bessie cringe, but he was barely paying attention to her. As a matter of fact, he had barely paid attention to her all night. He spent more time laughing and cutting up with his football buddies than he did making sure she was comfortable. She had to admit, she didn't really have anything to compare this date to, but she was willing to bet that it wasn't supposed to feel like he was being this rude. Even as they danced, he laughed and cut up across the room. She made an effort to stand as far away from him as possible and found herself relieved each time he let go of her hand to horseplay with a friend who found himself nearby.
Bessie sighed out of boredom as she did more standing than dancing and she found herself looking around the room, watching everyone else, including Millie, having a good time. Maybe she wasn't cut out for this kind of life. Maybe she should be at home reading or...or daydreaming. Oh, she missed Zac so.
As if out of nowhere, he appeared in the side doorway of the dance hall and her heart skipped a beat as her eyes met his instantly. He looked so dreamy in his brown pants and matching vest and she couldn't help but notice the way the cuffs of his white shirt were rolled up off of his wrists. He had let his hair down and she found herself gazing at it as it fell, natural and brown, onto his shoulders, and his black necktie lay perfectly tucked into his vest.
She grinned at him, happy to see him, and he smiled back with a wink that made her want to melt into the floor. In one quick motion, he nodded his head out the doorway he was in and then turned around and walked back out of it. Immediately understanding him, she turned to Billy and got his attention. "Um, Billy? Billy?"
Billy finally turned his attention to her and smiled down at her, his black comb-over suddenly making her want to gag, and answered, "Hey, doll. You want me for something?"
Plastering a fake smile across her face, she replied, "I'm really thirsty, actually. Would you mind maybe getting us some punch?"
There was a twinkle in his eye as he continued to grin at her. "Sure thing, sweets. You want me to spike it?"
She blinked at him for a moment and said, "Um, sure. Yeah, sure, you can do that."
He suddenly became excited, like a little kid in a candy store. "Oh, nifty! I'll be right back!"
Bessie had no clue what spiking the punch meant, but it seemed to make Billy happy so she went with it. To be honest, she didn't really care what he did with the punch as long as it got him far away from her.
With Billy safely out of sight, she took a quick look around the room to make sure nobody cared about her whereabouts and then she made a fast walk for the doorway that Zac had just disappeared out of. Closing the door carefully behind her, she found him leaning against the low-standing brick wall that lined the walkway to the back door of the dance hall, the shrubbery towering overhead behind him. The soft glow of the street lamp made Zac look even more dreamy than he had in the doorway and the mere sight of him did things to Bessie's heart and her breath that she longed to understand.
She found herself blushing as she stood before him and smiled. "You came."
He shrugged a shoulder. "Figured I'd come see what was going on."
"Well...you saw..."
"Was that that Billy guy?"
Bessie sighed and looked over her shoulder. "Yeah."
"You don't sound very enthusiastic about it. Are you not having fun?"
"He's insufferable!" She finally let it out. "He's terribly boring, I have no idea what Daddy sees in him!"
Zac snickered. "What your daddy sees in him? What about what you see in him?"
"I didn't want to come out with him, but Daddy said it was the only way I would get to come to the dance, just because he's friends with his father and he thinks he's just the greatest thing since sliced bread just because he plays football." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted shamelessly for a moment as she kicked a stray rock across the cement. "I really wanted to come with you."
"I know," he said gently. "I wanted to bring you tonight. The truth is, I didn't come here just to see what was going on. I missed you, Bessie. I missed you a lot." Faintly, they could hear the band start a slow song from behind the closed doors and Bessie looked up as Zac reached out his hand. "Did you save a dance for me?"
"But--" she objected, eyes wide. "You can hardly hear the music."
He smiled warmly, a twinkle in his eye. "That doesn't matter. I always hear music when I'm with you."
"But--are you--we could go inside so we can hear it--"
"Bessie, I can't go inside. If people see you dancing with a man who isn't the one who escorted you here, they might think negative things about you."
Her face fell as the complications of their relationship, or whatever it was they had, reared its ugly head again. No matter, the sentiment was incredibly sweet and she appreciated him for it. "Oh. Well, um, thank you for looking out for me."
"I'll always look out for you."
Eying his hand nervously, she smiled as she slid her hand into his. "I missed you, too," she whispered. His hand was warm and inviting and it instantly made her feel safe and comfortable. Until he pulled her body against his and took her by surprise.
Startled, she stepped back and shook her head. "You're not supposed to dance that close."
"What?" He asked, confused.
"You aren't supposed to--when you dance that close--dancing that close is--is for--"
He took her hand and pulled her back up against him, sliding his arm around her waist. "This just happens to be how I dance," he replied with a smirk. "I wouldn't do anything that I would think might hurt you. You're just going to have to trust me."
The truth was, being in his arms was a feeling unmatched to anything she had ever felt before. His arms were strong, his chest broad. He was warm and she melted into him like butter. Her heart pounded out of nerves, afraid to make a wrong move. She didn't want to embarrass herself. Unfortunately, she had no idea what to do with herself and her eyes darted around to the drab building walls as they swayed together.
After a moment, Zac's arm left her waist and he lifted her chin with his hand. "Hey," he said quietly. "I'm up here."
"Oh," she said as he slid his arm back into place. "I'm sorry. I--I didn't know."
He smirked, amused. "Now you do." Then his smile faded and he gazed into her eyes as they swayed in silence for a moment. "You, um, you look really pretty tonight. Real grown up."
"I'm eighteen. I am grown up."
"I know." He took a break to spin her around before he brought her back to him. Then he smiled. "You sure don't look it, though."
"I sure don't get treated like it, either," she huffed. "I know I'm not--not like all the other women. I know I'm different. I know people still see me as a child. I just--I just wish they would understand that I'm not anymore."
"I think you're beautiful," Zac whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're right, you are different. You're not like the other women. You're classy and you're graceful and your heart is made out of gold. That makes you timeless. And it's exactly why I want you to be mine."
Bessie smiled through the red that rose to her cheeks. "Yours?"
"Mine," he repeated. "For always. These past two days were hell. I don't ever want to be without you again."
Bessie's heart fluttered and she just knew that if it could get out of her chest, that it would just fly away. She gazed up at the man who held her safely in his arms, his kind brown eyes and his long hair paired together to become the subject of her dreams tonight. She nodded at him, dreamily. "Yes," she answered. "For always."
And then he shocked her. Out of nowhere, Zac's soft lips pressed against hers and she panicked, startled and afraid, and she broke herself away from him and slapped him across the face. Instantly realizing what she'd done, she stepped back several more feet and closed her hands over her mouth.
He held his cheek for a moment and smirked, his voice laden with annoyance. "I take that to mean you've never been kissed."
Bessie wanted to cry from humiliation and regret. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to--"
"It's okay," he said, his smile softening. "Don't apologize, I deserved it. I was wrong, I should have asked you first."
She stood there and she looked on for a moment as his hand finally left his face. Then, making a hasty decision and giving in to her own urges, she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, pressing her lips into his, kissing him the best that she could.
She felt his resistance against her and he pushed her away gently. "Stop," he said, gripping her shoulders and pulling himself back. "Stop, stop, stop. You're doing it wrong."
Embarrassed again, she grew frustrated with herself. "I'm sorry, I can't do anything right. I can't dance, I can't kiss--"
"Calm down," he chuckled as he took her in his arms again. "Calm down, it's okay." He lowered his face closer to hers. "This time, go slow. Follow my lead, do everything I do."
She nodded obediently as he, once again, pressed his lips against hers and left a sweet kiss to start with. She liked that, so she copied him and kissed him back. He kissed her a second time, this time lingering and opening his mouth a little. The nerves came back, but she did as he said and she copied him and kissed him back the same way.
The way this particular kiss seemed to give her goose bumps made her feel a little strange, but strange in a good way. Almost as a reflex, she tightened her arms around his neck and brought her body closer to his. His arm tightened around her waist and he brought his other hand up to caress her cheek, a gesture that sent her goose bumps into overdrive.
And then, as gently as ever, his tongue entered her mouth. Her first instinct was to stop the presses right there, but despite how strange it felt and how nervous she was, she trusted him. So, once again, just like both times before, she copied him as best she could, and returned his kisses. His tongue massaged hers with a slow and steady rhythm and, once she decided that she was happy with the way his mouth tasted sweet with fruit, she grew more confident in herself and felt the want begin to rise in her something fierce.
It wasn't long before they found themselves on the same wavelength and it felt like they'd been kissing for years. To Bessie's delight, kissing was easy and, though she had nothing to compare it to, she decided that Zac was good at it.
She kissed him now without direction and with more intensity and she wasn't shy about her eagerness, either. She heard a moan escape his throat as he kissed her and the sound sent chills down her spine. He pulled her tighter against his body and she stood on her tip toes in order to get closer to him, though there was no possible way the pair could get any closer to each other.
After a minute or two, time that seemed to fly by, Zac broke their kiss and he smiled at her. "How do you feel?"
She beamed at him and she nodded. "I feel like I like kissing."
His smile widened into a grin. "I like kissing you. You're a fast learner."
"Am I a good kisser?" She asked, overly excited about the new skill she'd learned.
"I don't know," he teased. "I think you might need a little more practice."
As he leaned in for another kiss, a voice barked loud behind them. "Hey! What are you doing out here with my dame?"
Zac furrowed his brow at Bessie and his entire demeanor changed on a dime. Turning his head toward Billy, who held a cup in his hand that smelled strongly of something that wasn't punch, he shot daggers at him with his eyes and sneered, "Your what?"
"You heard me. That's my woman you're with. Get your paws off."
Zac stepped away from Bessie and turned his attention to Billy. "She's not your anything. She may have come here with you, but she's leaving with me."
"Yeah? That's what you think." Billy looked at Bessie and held out his hand. "Say goodnight, doll. Let's get out of here."
"So, what, you're gonna stand there and get bent and then drive her home?"
"You stay out of our business. Come on, Bessie, we're leaving."
Bessie shook her head and hid herself behind Zac. "I'm not going with you, Billy."
"Look, I told the judge I'd have you home by ten. So get over here, you dumb broad, before you get us both in trouble!"
Bessie gasped at the derogatory term he called her and tears welled up in her eyes. Her feelings were hurt and she was starting to get scared. Zac turned around to face her and said to her quietly, "Bessie, close your eyes."
"What?"
"Close your eyes and don't open them until I say it's okay. Do that for me."
Sniffing back her tears in an attempt to dry herself up, she gasped and she hiccupped a little and she closed her eyes. The moment Zac's breath left her face, however, curiosity got the best of her and she opened them back up just in time to watch Zac plant his fist firmly into Billy's nose. Bessie saw the blood before Billy hit the concrete, cupping his nose in his hand and howling in pain. To round him out, Zac kicked him hard one good time in the ribs. "She is not a broad and she is not a dame. She is a classy, young woman and you should feel lucky to have even come here with her tonight. And if you ever call this intelligent, beautiful woman dumb again, I'll finish you off. That's a promise!"
Bessie clasped her hands over her mouth in horror as Zac took a moment to breathe. He turned around to face her and he ran his hand through his hair. "Bessie, I told you to keep your eyes closed."
"Zac," she finally creaked out through the tears that were threatening her eyes. "Zac, you shouldn't have done that."
"I'm pretty sure I should have," he said, pointing at Billy as he writhed in pain on the cement. "Look at him, he had no chance with me."
"Maybe not him. But the entire football team is here with him and they'll come looking for him any second if they haven't already heard his wailing. They'll pummel you, you can't take them all!"
Zac's eyes widened a little and they darted around at his surroundings. He looked at Bessie, his expression full of regret. "Bessie, baby, I'm sorry. I gotta get out of here." He planted a quick kiss on her and then he started to run.
"Zac!" She called behind him. "Zac, wait!" He stopped for a second, still raring to go and he looked at her. "Take me with you," she demanded.
Impatiently, he looked around in thought and then he closed their gap, grabbed her hand, and the pair ran together through the grass and into the darkness.
It rained the entire two days that Bessie was gone. Down pours, thunder, lightening, the works. Couldn't go anywhere, couldn't do anything--it was the longest two days of Zac's life. He was miserable. Now it was Saturday and the sun shone radiant and hot, making the violent storms a mere distant memory.
Shamelessly, Zac hid himself amongst the trees at the edge of Bessie's property. He could barely see the porch, but what he could see was enough for him. He knew it was probably close to time for Billy Connors to pick Bessie up for the dance and Zac needed to see her, even it was only from afar. It was need that ached, a need that kept him awake at night. A need that consumed his mind, a need that paralyzed his soul. Just one glance, just one glimpse, just one fix to feed his growing addiction.
As if on schedule, a black car pulled up and a tall man with short, dark hair approached the porch. Within moments he was let inside the house and he disappeared.
The time that followed was agonizing. Was the guy having a full-blown political conversation with the judge or something? Was Bessie not ready yet? Was she making the obligatory descent down the staircase as her date gazes at her in awe at how beautiful she looks?
Zac could only imagine how beautiful Bessie looked. She'd said that her mother had bought her a new dress and he'd been anxious to see her in it. After all, it was a dress that she had picked to go out with him, not with that Billy guy. Zac smiled at the thought, knowing that no matter how beautiful she looked, she had intended it for him and not for Billy. He wanted to take solace in that, but taking solace in anything at this point was near impossible.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the pair emerged out onto the porch, with the judge and his wife at their heels. The judge waved proudly as Bessie and Billy walked toward the car and Zac couldn't take his eyes off of her. He couldn't see her expression but he could read her body language. He could read her straight, stiff form, her deliberate and formal movements. She was uncomfortable and she was unhappy. Zac was livid.
What made him more livid was how stunning he could tell she was from where he stood. Her dress was peach-colored, made from long chiffon that hung close to her body. It boasted layered ruffles toward the bottom, sheer short sleeves, and a neckline that appeared to form a modest square on her chest. Her light brown hair lay in soft curls, parted on one side, and he could see a glint of her hair pin that reflected the sun that would be setting soon. She was a vision. An absolute vision that would drive him crazy for the rest of the night.
If Zac didn't figure out something to do about it, this night would last much longer than the past two and a half days did. Thankfully, it didn't take a genius to figure out the solution.
As the car began to drive out of sight, Zac glanced behind him at the woods anxiously. Damn. It was three miles back to the camp. Maybe if he walked fast and ran some of it, he could save some time. Starting on his way to cover three miles in record time, he ran on pure adrenaline and excitement.
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Bessie hated every bit of Saturday. The traveling had been exhausting, she'd had no time to sneak out to see Zac before it was time to get ready for the dance, and her mother insisted that she wear makeup. She looked in the mirror after her mother had lined her eyes, painted her eyelashes, and rubbed rouge on her cheeks. She had to admit, she looked like a more adult version of herself, which she was grateful for, but it was wrong. It was all wrong. Soon, a boy would come and pick her up to go to a dance, but it would be the wrong one. It wouldn't be Zac. This entire evening didn't mean a thing to her.
When Billy showed up in his brown leisure suit, Bessie's stomach churned with hatred. In a way she felt bad. It wasn't Billy's fault he wasn't the right man. But even still, the little she knew of Billy, she didn't like, so even if it hadn't been for Zac, she imagined she'd be just as thrilled with the situation as she was now. Billy was tall with dark brown hair and brown eyes and he was built like an athlete. Freckles peppered his nose in just the lightest and his smile revealed dimples in both of his cheeks. Bessie supposed she could see where girls might find him attractive. However, he wasn't Zac and he didn't hold a candle to him. He was a mere boy compared to Zac and, for that, Bessie disrespected Billy even more.
Upon presentation of the corsage Billy brought for her, Bessie sneezed. It was a fake sneeze, but everyone bought it, so she figured she was a better actress than she thought. "Bessie, are you okay?" Her mother asked, worried.
"I don't know," she replied, thoughtfully. "I think I might be coming down with something. Maybe I shouldn't go."
"Nonsense," her father had butted in. "You're perfectly healthy, you just got a little tickle in your nose is all. Probably from the dust or something. Now put Billy's gift on your wrist, it's about time for you kids to be heading along."
When the corsage came closer to her, she sneezed again. And then again. And then two more times before she said, "I think I'm allergic to the corsage. Thank you so much for the thought, Billy, but I'm afraid my body just doesn't agree with it."
As the gift was disposed of, Bessie said a silent cheer in victory on the inside. It was bad enough she had to go out with Billy anyway--she certainly didn't want any gifts from him.
Finally in the car and on the way into town, Billy tried to make small talk. Bessie wasn't interested, but she humored him anyway, in desperation to make the time pass faster. "So, your father says this is your first town social."
"It is."
"I can't believe you've never been before."
"I take it you have?"
"Oh, many times. You'll have a ball, I promise. Especially with me, I always have a good time."
"I imagine you do," she replied as dryly as her last two replies.
"You have to. Life's too short not to have a good time. Say, are you hungry? Some of the fellas were talking about meeting up for a hamburger before the social."
"The fellas," Bessie had learned, were chums of Billy's. Some played football with him at the university, some still played football for the high school, and the rest played various other sports. All of them would be at the social, naturally. The truth was, Bessie's appetite had disappeared a long time ago. But she figured the least she could do was sip on a soda pop. "Not very," she replied. "But I'll have a soda pop if that's okay."
"Anything you want, doll," Billy smiled. "Anything you want."
Bessie wanted to vomit.
Pulling up to the drive-in diner, the parking lot was full of young people with their cars. Couples, groups of friends, and even a couple sets of parents littered the lot with their food and drink as they laughed and conversed with each other. Bessie was relieved to spot Millie a few cars down from theirs. Billy didn't even open the car door for Bessie, which was something her father did for her mother all the time, so she opened it herself as Billy smiled and said, "Hey, there's the fellas right over there. I'm gonna go say hi while I order for us."
Bessie nodded, glad to see him go. Hastily, she approached Millie as she giggled with two other girls. "Millie," Bessie said. "Thank god you're here."
Millie smiled at Bessie. "Hey, look who's here. That dress is just divine on you, Bess. Such a great color for you."
"Thank you," she smiled. Then she got down to business. "This night is dragging by so slow and it hasn't even started yet," she murmured to her.
"Oh, lighten up and have fun! You're on a date. And Billy Connors is a cute boy. There are plenty of girls out there who would be falling all over themselves to be you right now."
"Well they can have him for all I care."
Millie scoffed at her cousin. "Bessie, what's so bad about him?"
"He's not Zac," she said quietly. "You know that."
Millie sighed. "Bessie--dear, Bessie--you can't--you can't come to the town social with a gypsy. You just can't."
Bessie gaped at her cousin in shock, unable to believe her ears. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It's a social. Where people are social with each other. And other people pay attention to how social you are. And do you know what people would say about someone who showed up at the social with a gypsy? You might as well just walk in with a random hobo off the street. It would be that bad. You can live in your fantasies in your backyard all you want to. But right now, this is reality."
"Mildred Jennings!" Bessie hissed. "I can't believe what's coming out of your mouth! Why, just a few days ago you were excited that Zac liked me and you were looking forward to triple-dating with his brothers! Now you're--you're talking about them like they're trash. And Taylor likes you. He is handsome and he is kind and generous and he likes you. And I'm proud of Zac and I would have been the proudest, most luckiest woman at the social tonight to have come with him. I'm so disappointed in you, Millie. I had no idea you could be so heartless!"
"I'm not being heartless, Bessie," Millie said, pulling her aside. "I'm telling you the truth. Look, I like Taylor, okay? I do. He's absolutely dreamy. But he's poor and he's a gypsy--"
"He's not a gypsy. Neither are his brothers--"
"They are gypsies, by definition. And women like me--and you--can't be seen with the likes of them. It's unacceptable. That's the reality."
"No, Millie. The reality here is you're two-faced and I'm ashamed of you. Taylor and Zac are people, just like us. They walk and talk like us and they have feelings just like us. I don't know what it is with you and Daddy and everyone else when it comes to social status and money but, to me, people are people, one in the same. And the way you're talking about Taylor is completely unfair. How dare you?"
"Look. Don't you come over here to me acting all high and mighty just because some man bats his eyelashes at you once or twice. It doesn't make you an expert on me or on anything--"
"No, but I know right from wrong. You used to be my best friend, Millie, but you've changed. You're different. And I don't think I like this side of you."
"Well," Millie said, holding her chin high and straightening her spine. "It's unfortunate that you feel that way. Say what you will about me, but I will not allow you to ruin my good time tonight. Have a nice evening." And with that, Millie turned on her heel and walked away.
Great. Just one more way to make Bessie's night miserable.
********************
The dance hall was packed by the time Bessie and Billy got there. It resembled a gymnasium with nothing but a large floor, a small stage where the band played, and tables with seating surrounding the dance floor. Toward the back of the hall were refreshments and punch and people milled around and talked and danced and everyone seemed to be having a merry time.
Bessie knew she should have been excited. She knew if she'd have been here with Zac like she was supposed to be, she would probably be dragging him to the dance floor in an instant. She didn't know how to dance very well, but it sure did look fun.
And then she looked up at Billy and the desire was gone.
Billy had insisted on dancing, however, a notion that made Bessie cringe, but he was barely paying attention to her. As a matter of fact, he had barely paid attention to her all night. He spent more time laughing and cutting up with his football buddies than he did making sure she was comfortable. She had to admit, she didn't really have anything to compare this date to, but she was willing to bet that it wasn't supposed to feel like he was being this rude. Even as they danced, he laughed and cut up across the room. She made an effort to stand as far away from him as possible and found herself relieved each time he let go of her hand to horseplay with a friend who found himself nearby.
Bessie sighed out of boredom as she did more standing than dancing and she found herself looking around the room, watching everyone else, including Millie, having a good time. Maybe she wasn't cut out for this kind of life. Maybe she should be at home reading or...or daydreaming. Oh, she missed Zac so.
As if out of nowhere, he appeared in the side doorway of the dance hall and her heart skipped a beat as her eyes met his instantly. He looked so dreamy in his brown pants and matching vest and she couldn't help but notice the way the cuffs of his white shirt were rolled up off of his wrists. He had let his hair down and she found herself gazing at it as it fell, natural and brown, onto his shoulders, and his black necktie lay perfectly tucked into his vest.
She grinned at him, happy to see him, and he smiled back with a wink that made her want to melt into the floor. In one quick motion, he nodded his head out the doorway he was in and then turned around and walked back out of it. Immediately understanding him, she turned to Billy and got his attention. "Um, Billy? Billy?"
Billy finally turned his attention to her and smiled down at her, his black comb-over suddenly making her want to gag, and answered, "Hey, doll. You want me for something?"
Plastering a fake smile across her face, she replied, "I'm really thirsty, actually. Would you mind maybe getting us some punch?"
There was a twinkle in his eye as he continued to grin at her. "Sure thing, sweets. You want me to spike it?"
She blinked at him for a moment and said, "Um, sure. Yeah, sure, you can do that."
He suddenly became excited, like a little kid in a candy store. "Oh, nifty! I'll be right back!"
Bessie had no clue what spiking the punch meant, but it seemed to make Billy happy so she went with it. To be honest, she didn't really care what he did with the punch as long as it got him far away from her.
With Billy safely out of sight, she took a quick look around the room to make sure nobody cared about her whereabouts and then she made a fast walk for the doorway that Zac had just disappeared out of. Closing the door carefully behind her, she found him leaning against the low-standing brick wall that lined the walkway to the back door of the dance hall, the shrubbery towering overhead behind him. The soft glow of the street lamp made Zac look even more dreamy than he had in the doorway and the mere sight of him did things to Bessie's heart and her breath that she longed to understand.
She found herself blushing as she stood before him and smiled. "You came."
He shrugged a shoulder. "Figured I'd come see what was going on."
"Well...you saw..."
"Was that that Billy guy?"
Bessie sighed and looked over her shoulder. "Yeah."
"You don't sound very enthusiastic about it. Are you not having fun?"
"He's insufferable!" She finally let it out. "He's terribly boring, I have no idea what Daddy sees in him!"
Zac snickered. "What your daddy sees in him? What about what you see in him?"
"I didn't want to come out with him, but Daddy said it was the only way I would get to come to the dance, just because he's friends with his father and he thinks he's just the greatest thing since sliced bread just because he plays football." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted shamelessly for a moment as she kicked a stray rock across the cement. "I really wanted to come with you."
"I know," he said gently. "I wanted to bring you tonight. The truth is, I didn't come here just to see what was going on. I missed you, Bessie. I missed you a lot." Faintly, they could hear the band start a slow song from behind the closed doors and Bessie looked up as Zac reached out his hand. "Did you save a dance for me?"
"But--" she objected, eyes wide. "You can hardly hear the music."
He smiled warmly, a twinkle in his eye. "That doesn't matter. I always hear music when I'm with you."
"But--are you--we could go inside so we can hear it--"
"Bessie, I can't go inside. If people see you dancing with a man who isn't the one who escorted you here, they might think negative things about you."
Her face fell as the complications of their relationship, or whatever it was they had, reared its ugly head again. No matter, the sentiment was incredibly sweet and she appreciated him for it. "Oh. Well, um, thank you for looking out for me."
"I'll always look out for you."
Eying his hand nervously, she smiled as she slid her hand into his. "I missed you, too," she whispered. His hand was warm and inviting and it instantly made her feel safe and comfortable. Until he pulled her body against his and took her by surprise.
Startled, she stepped back and shook her head. "You're not supposed to dance that close."
"What?" He asked, confused.
"You aren't supposed to--when you dance that close--dancing that close is--is for--"
He took her hand and pulled her back up against him, sliding his arm around her waist. "This just happens to be how I dance," he replied with a smirk. "I wouldn't do anything that I would think might hurt you. You're just going to have to trust me."
The truth was, being in his arms was a feeling unmatched to anything she had ever felt before. His arms were strong, his chest broad. He was warm and she melted into him like butter. Her heart pounded out of nerves, afraid to make a wrong move. She didn't want to embarrass herself. Unfortunately, she had no idea what to do with herself and her eyes darted around to the drab building walls as they swayed together.
After a moment, Zac's arm left her waist and he lifted her chin with his hand. "Hey," he said quietly. "I'm up here."
"Oh," she said as he slid his arm back into place. "I'm sorry. I--I didn't know."
He smirked, amused. "Now you do." Then his smile faded and he gazed into her eyes as they swayed in silence for a moment. "You, um, you look really pretty tonight. Real grown up."
"I'm eighteen. I am grown up."
"I know." He took a break to spin her around before he brought her back to him. Then he smiled. "You sure don't look it, though."
"I sure don't get treated like it, either," she huffed. "I know I'm not--not like all the other women. I know I'm different. I know people still see me as a child. I just--I just wish they would understand that I'm not anymore."
"I think you're beautiful," Zac whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're right, you are different. You're not like the other women. You're classy and you're graceful and your heart is made out of gold. That makes you timeless. And it's exactly why I want you to be mine."
Bessie smiled through the red that rose to her cheeks. "Yours?"
"Mine," he repeated. "For always. These past two days were hell. I don't ever want to be without you again."
Bessie's heart fluttered and she just knew that if it could get out of her chest, that it would just fly away. She gazed up at the man who held her safely in his arms, his kind brown eyes and his long hair paired together to become the subject of her dreams tonight. She nodded at him, dreamily. "Yes," she answered. "For always."
And then he shocked her. Out of nowhere, Zac's soft lips pressed against hers and she panicked, startled and afraid, and she broke herself away from him and slapped him across the face. Instantly realizing what she'd done, she stepped back several more feet and closed her hands over her mouth.
He held his cheek for a moment and smirked, his voice laden with annoyance. "I take that to mean you've never been kissed."
Bessie wanted to cry from humiliation and regret. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to--"
"It's okay," he said, his smile softening. "Don't apologize, I deserved it. I was wrong, I should have asked you first."
She stood there and she looked on for a moment as his hand finally left his face. Then, making a hasty decision and giving in to her own urges, she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, pressing her lips into his, kissing him the best that she could.
She felt his resistance against her and he pushed her away gently. "Stop," he said, gripping her shoulders and pulling himself back. "Stop, stop, stop. You're doing it wrong."
Embarrassed again, she grew frustrated with herself. "I'm sorry, I can't do anything right. I can't dance, I can't kiss--"
"Calm down," he chuckled as he took her in his arms again. "Calm down, it's okay." He lowered his face closer to hers. "This time, go slow. Follow my lead, do everything I do."
She nodded obediently as he, once again, pressed his lips against hers and left a sweet kiss to start with. She liked that, so she copied him and kissed him back. He kissed her a second time, this time lingering and opening his mouth a little. The nerves came back, but she did as he said and she copied him and kissed him back the same way.
The way this particular kiss seemed to give her goose bumps made her feel a little strange, but strange in a good way. Almost as a reflex, she tightened her arms around his neck and brought her body closer to his. His arm tightened around her waist and he brought his other hand up to caress her cheek, a gesture that sent her goose bumps into overdrive.
And then, as gently as ever, his tongue entered her mouth. Her first instinct was to stop the presses right there, but despite how strange it felt and how nervous she was, she trusted him. So, once again, just like both times before, she copied him as best she could, and returned his kisses. His tongue massaged hers with a slow and steady rhythm and, once she decided that she was happy with the way his mouth tasted sweet with fruit, she grew more confident in herself and felt the want begin to rise in her something fierce.
It wasn't long before they found themselves on the same wavelength and it felt like they'd been kissing for years. To Bessie's delight, kissing was easy and, though she had nothing to compare it to, she decided that Zac was good at it.
She kissed him now without direction and with more intensity and she wasn't shy about her eagerness, either. She heard a moan escape his throat as he kissed her and the sound sent chills down her spine. He pulled her tighter against his body and she stood on her tip toes in order to get closer to him, though there was no possible way the pair could get any closer to each other.
After a minute or two, time that seemed to fly by, Zac broke their kiss and he smiled at her. "How do you feel?"
She beamed at him and she nodded. "I feel like I like kissing."
His smile widened into a grin. "I like kissing you. You're a fast learner."
"Am I a good kisser?" She asked, overly excited about the new skill she'd learned.
"I don't know," he teased. "I think you might need a little more practice."
As he leaned in for another kiss, a voice barked loud behind them. "Hey! What are you doing out here with my dame?"
Zac furrowed his brow at Bessie and his entire demeanor changed on a dime. Turning his head toward Billy, who held a cup in his hand that smelled strongly of something that wasn't punch, he shot daggers at him with his eyes and sneered, "Your what?"
"You heard me. That's my woman you're with. Get your paws off."
Zac stepped away from Bessie and turned his attention to Billy. "She's not your anything. She may have come here with you, but she's leaving with me."
"Yeah? That's what you think." Billy looked at Bessie and held out his hand. "Say goodnight, doll. Let's get out of here."
"So, what, you're gonna stand there and get bent and then drive her home?"
"You stay out of our business. Come on, Bessie, we're leaving."
Bessie shook her head and hid herself behind Zac. "I'm not going with you, Billy."
"Look, I told the judge I'd have you home by ten. So get over here, you dumb broad, before you get us both in trouble!"
Bessie gasped at the derogatory term he called her and tears welled up in her eyes. Her feelings were hurt and she was starting to get scared. Zac turned around to face her and said to her quietly, "Bessie, close your eyes."
"What?"
"Close your eyes and don't open them until I say it's okay. Do that for me."
Sniffing back her tears in an attempt to dry herself up, she gasped and she hiccupped a little and she closed her eyes. The moment Zac's breath left her face, however, curiosity got the best of her and she opened them back up just in time to watch Zac plant his fist firmly into Billy's nose. Bessie saw the blood before Billy hit the concrete, cupping his nose in his hand and howling in pain. To round him out, Zac kicked him hard one good time in the ribs. "She is not a broad and she is not a dame. She is a classy, young woman and you should feel lucky to have even come here with her tonight. And if you ever call this intelligent, beautiful woman dumb again, I'll finish you off. That's a promise!"
Bessie clasped her hands over her mouth in horror as Zac took a moment to breathe. He turned around to face her and he ran his hand through his hair. "Bessie, I told you to keep your eyes closed."
"Zac," she finally creaked out through the tears that were threatening her eyes. "Zac, you shouldn't have done that."
"I'm pretty sure I should have," he said, pointing at Billy as he writhed in pain on the cement. "Look at him, he had no chance with me."
"Maybe not him. But the entire football team is here with him and they'll come looking for him any second if they haven't already heard his wailing. They'll pummel you, you can't take them all!"
Zac's eyes widened a little and they darted around at his surroundings. He looked at Bessie, his expression full of regret. "Bessie, baby, I'm sorry. I gotta get out of here." He planted a quick kiss on her and then he started to run.
"Zac!" She called behind him. "Zac, wait!" He stopped for a second, still raring to go and he looked at her. "Take me with you," she demanded.
Impatiently, he looked around in thought and then he closed their gap, grabbed her hand, and the pair ran together through the grass and into the darkness.