Chapter 13

I parked next to Mister Meadows truck. We all got out. I was holding Alice’s hand as we headed to the entrance. The harvest ball was free thereby saving the slight bit of money that I had.

It was a high school gym decorated in a harvest motif. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t original either. Alice hugged my arm with her free hand and whispered, “Jerry, we’re here to dance and for me to show off the wonderful guy in my life. Is that okay with you?”

I grinned, “Yes, dear.” Alice grinned back. “I’m glad to be with you and to be claimed by you. You know that I will claim you, too.” She nodded smiling happily.

It was a “record hop” which was, in my mind, somewhat old fashioned. The music went from one record to another changing from current rock to forties big band. I was interested even more in the music selection when I saw the disc jockey! A couple was handling the records and CD’s. They were African-Americans. They even danced to much of the music even the super oldies. I had to admit that I enjoyed their selections and that the crowd seemed to like the different varieties they chose.

We found seats with Alice’s parents and brother. A couple joined us. The guy looked very much like Mister Meadows and Mitchell. I was introduced to a Gerry and his wife, Ella. Gerry is, it turned out, Alice’s other brother. They were a nice couple. Gerry and Ella were both teachers at the local high school where Alice had gone. He taught science while his wife taught math.

Alice and I danced to slow songs and to faster, more modern songs. Alice was quite good. I tried not to step on her feet. After a third slow song, we sat down. She said, “You haven’t danced much, Jerry?”

I grimaced, “I’ve only danced twice before in my life.”

“You’ll get better with practice. Besides, you good at other things.” Alice grinned.

Her mother said, ““What are those other things?”

Alice smirked, “He’s a great swimmer. He fills out a speedo really, really well. He’s also a very good hand holder.” She grinned bigger. “His kisses are a delight. He...”

Mister Meadows interrupted, “That’s quite enough about his sterling attributes.”

Alice said, “I was just trying to answer Mom’s question based upon my careful and thorough study of Jerry.” She grinned.

Her dad smiled a slight bit. “I think you two need to dance some more. Hopefully, he will improve with practice.”

I thought getting out of their cross-hairs was a good idea. I stood and lifted Alice’s hand. “My fair lady, Galadriel, shall we dance?” I smiled.

She stood beside me and said, “Yes, let’s.”

A slow song started. I pulled her into my arms and we danced away.

We enjoyed our dancing holding each other closely on the slow songs. On the fast ones, we wiggled with the rest. I caught on quickly. I might have caught on to the fast ones more quickly but truly enjoyed watching Alice as she danced. We finally returned to our chairs at the table to sit down and rest a bit. Alice held my hand.

Two pretty girls walked up to where we were seated. One said, “Alice, who is this?”

Alice smiled, “He’s Jerry Short. We met at college orientation and have been together ever since. He’s a really good guy.”

“He must be for you to hold his hand. That’s new for you.’

“Yes, but it works well. Rhoda, I’m happy with him.”

I said, “It’s good to meet you. I’m happy with Alice.”

The evening progressed in a like manner with friends of Alice coming by and commenting about us. Obviously, this was a new thing for Alice. Of course, it was a new thing for me, too.

We met the disc jockey couple, Hershel and Donella. They were teachers at the high school and had been the disc jockey couple since they had begun high school. Donella commented to us that Alice hadn’t had a guy with her before. I told her that we met in college and were enjoying our times as a couple.

We danced some more before leaving the same time as her parents.

The five of us pulled in at the farm. Just before we got out, I put the top up. We then got out and went in.

Mitchell asked, “Rain isn’t expected. Why put the top up?”

I grimaced. “I left it out one night not bothering to put the top up when no rain was expected. It rained and cleaning the interior was neither fun nor quick. I learned. Even dew can be uncomfortable in the morning. I have made it a habit to put the top up every night since then. I don’t need a second lesson to insure I remember.”

Mitchell and Alice both chuckled. Mitchell grinned, “That does make sense.” We went inside where Alice put me on the sofa. She said, “Lemonade?”

“Please.” She went into the kitchen returning moments later with two cans of lemonade. She sat beside me with my arm around her. She scrunched in closely. I enjoyed having her body next to mine.

We drank our lemonades and watched the late news before heading to our bedrooms. I had pushed the door to the bathroom almost closed and changed into my sleeping duds. I lay on the bed with naught but a sheet covering my body. I had turned off the bedside lamp. I had also set the alarm on my phone. I composed my mind for sleep.